United Airlines Baggage Allowance & Cabin Bags
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Overview of United Airlines
United Airlines is one of the largest air firms in the world. In fact, it is the largest in the world when it comes to the total number of destinations offered. United Airlines offers direct flights to 375 airports all over the world, 70 of which are domestic, while the remaining are spread over more than 70 countries in all 5 inhabited continents.
United Airlines’ fleet features up to four-cabin configurations, including First Class, Business Class, Economy Plus Class, and Economy Class. Sometimes, on certain transcontinental flights, there is the United P.S (short for Premium Service).
United Airlines Baggage Allowance Policy
The variety in class offers some perks, as customers can choose the class that best fits their budget. However, it also comes with certain setbacks, one of which being the baggage allowance policy and its miniscule yet crucial discrepancies between each class.
Worry not, as the CabinZero Crew has got you covered. Keep scrolling to read our most comprehensive breakdown of the convoluted baggage allowance of United Airlines.
For most flights (exceptions will be detailed below), passengers are allowed to carry on-board one carry-on bag and one personal item.
Dimensions
Your carry-on bag should:
- Fit the overhead cabin;
- Be of maximum dimensions of 9 x 14 x 22 inches (22 x 35 x 56 centimetres), including handles and wheels.
Your personal item should:
- Fit the compartment underneath the seat in front of you;
- Be of maximum dimensions of 9 x 10 x 17 (22 x 25 x 43 centimetres).
Passengers can double-check their bag sizes with the bag sizers at the airport. If your bag exceeds the allotted limit, you will have to incur additional charges. However, bags that measure more than 115 inches (292 centimetres) in total won’t be accepted.
United MileagePlus Card member perks
Besides one carry-on bag and one personal items, passengers with United MileagePlus Card are allowed to bring on board the following items:
- A jacket;
- An umbrella;
- Reading material;
- Food or merchandise bought in the airport;
- Assistive devices (such as a collapsible wheelchair, cane, crutches, medical device for prescription medications, or portable oxygen concentrator);
- FAA-approved child restraint system or safety seat;
- A diaper bag;
- A breast pump;
- A camera;
- A pet carrier (service charges apply for in-cabin pets).
Exceptions
The details above apply for most passengers. There are some exceptions, however. If you’re flying with a Basic Economy ticket, you can only bring one personal item on-board. If you have a full-size carry-on bag, you will have to have it checked, pay the applicable checked bag fee and a $25 gate handling charge.
In these following circumstances, the normal baggage policy above will apply even if you’re travelling on a Basic Economy ticket:
Customers traveling on trans-Atlantic flights to or from the U.S., Mexico and Central America, El Salvador, Panama and South America;
- Customers traveling on trans-Pacific flights to or from the U.S;
- MileagePlus® Premier® members or companions traveling on the same reservation;
- Primary cardmembers of qualifying MileagePlus credit cardsfootnote2 or Star Alliance™ Gold members.
Size
Checked bag can measure a maximum of 62 inches in combined length, width, and height, including wheels and handles.
Weight
The allowed weight per baggage is detailed in the table below:
- United Economy®: Maximum 50 pounds (23 kilograms) per bag.
- United Business®, United First®, United Polaris® business class, MileagePlus status: Maximum 70 pounds (32 kilograms) per bag.
Bags weighing at over 100 pounds (45 kilograms) will not be accepted. Musical instruments of up to 165 pounds (75 kilograms) and all assistive devices, however, will be accepted.
Because of the limited space on an aircraft, there will be surcharges should you exceed the limit. Keep in mind that the surcharges are additive, meaning that, in the event that you bring bags that are oversized, overweight, and over the limit, you will be surcharged for all three instances.
As mentioned above, bags that measure over 115 inches (292 centimetres) and weigh over 100 pounds (45 kilograms) will not be accepted.
As for how much you will be charged precisely, please refer to the calculation tool on United Airlines website. Please be careful, overweight bag can be surcharges at a rate of up to $400 per bag or item, depending on destinations.
FAQs about United Airlines Baggage Allowance
Yes, and that comes with strict regulations. The United Airlines allowed domesticated cats and dogs that can fit in the under-seat compartment in front of you on board. Please check the requirements for in-cabin pets on the United Airlines website for further details.
There are certain flights that don't allow any pets on board because certain countries don’t allow in-cabin pets on flights from, to, and through their territory. Those include:
- Australia
- Barbados
- Cuba
- Guam
- Federated States of Micronesia
- Hawaii
- Hong Kong
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Marshall Islands
- New Zealand
- Palau
- Panama
- Philippines
- Singapore
- South Africa
- Tahiti
- Trinidad and Tobago
- The UK
If you’re travelling with an infant or a child, the following items are allowed in addition to a carry-on bag and a personal item:
Diaper bag;
Breast pump and milk;
Government-approved child seat (conforming to all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle standards);
Compact folding stroller that meets our size guidelines for carry-on bags (9 x 14 x 22 inches or 9 x 10 x 17 inches).
The checked bag policy and allowance applies to children with purchased tickets, including infants traveling internationally on 10 percent of an adult fare. If the child’s baggage exceeds the allowance, then the accompanying adult will have to pay the fare.
In case of baggage damage, it’s imperative that you report immediately or as soon as you can while you’re still in the airport. You should do so within 24 hours of arrival, or within 7 days of international travel. Your baggage will be subjected to inspection at the airport by the firm’s personnel, who will be responsible for the final resolution of your damage claim.
