- 18 Apr, 2025
United Airlines is a well-known airline in the United States, with its headquarters in Chicago, Illinois. It operates on every domestic and international route across the United States and six continents, with more destinations than any specific airline. In the context of services, facilities, and customer service guidance, United Airlines is rated 6.9/10 on average. United Airlines offers its travellers the option of accessing renowned travel classes, inflight entertainment, United lounges and much more.
As soon as passengers plan to travel with United Airlines to their desired destination, one of the significant questions is about United Airline's baggage allowance. If passengers do not follow all the baggage guidelines, they will be rejected from boarding the flight at security check-in. However, to pack the bags, one should become familiar with the baggage allowance, weight, carry-on, and checked bag rules. To become aware of all the details regarding the baggage, read the following section to accumulate details respectively.
United Airlines Carry-on Baggage Policy:
What can you bring as a carry-on?
The items that passengers are allowed to bring under the United Airlines carry-on policy are discussed below for reference, and one can pack their bags accordingly.
- According to United Airlines' carry-on policy, the bag must fit in the overhead bin and be 9 in* 14 in* 22 in (23 cm* 35 cm* 56 cm). The measurements also include the wheels and handle.
- Additionally, the dimensions for personal items should be 9 in * 10 in *17 in (22 cm * 25 cm * 43 cm), and everyday items include purses and backpacks.
- Note that personal items should fit under the seat in front of the passenger, and carry-on items should easily fit under the overhead bin.
United Airlines carry-on weight limit:
After gathering the details on carry-on dimensions, passengers should also familiarise themselves with United Airlines' carry-on weight limit. If the weight exceeds the airline's limit, the airline will either allow boarding or apply additional charges.
- United Airlines doesn't have any specific guidelines regarding the weight limit of carry-on bags until or unless they meet the size restrictions prescribed by the airline (9 in * 14 in * 22 in—23 cm * 35 cm *56 cm).
- On the other hand, personal items also have no maximum weight limit unless the passenger follows a complete dimensions limit for them.
United Airlines Checked baggage allowance:
Standard checked baggage allowance by fare type:
Now, when packing checked bags, the passenger needs to keep more precise information about the United Airlines checked baggage policy, as avoiding any specific factor while packing can lead to extra charges or deboarding the United flight.
- Economy - Passengers travelling in United Airlines Economy class obtain access for 50 pounds (23 kg).
- Premium Plus - United Airlines permits all Premium Plus passengers 50 pounds (23 kg).
- Business—Passengers who book a Business class ticket receive permission to 70 pounds (32 kg) accordingly.
- First—Last but not least, the weight limit for all first-class passengers is 70 pounds (32 kg).
- The size of each bag at United Airlines should be around 30 in * 20 in *12 in (76 cm* 52 cm *30 cm), or it must be 62 total inches, which may comprise handles and wheels.
How many bags are allowed?
When it comes to United Airlines' number of bags allowed according to checked baggage norms, it will enable free checked bags for certain passengers, and it also depends on specific situations, including United Premier Gold, United credit cardholders, and active-duty service members. However, for passengers with the basic economy, the allowance for a bag is one personal item, and they can't bring a carry-on bag unless they are flying to another specific destination.
Baggage Fees and Extra Charges:
How much does United Airlines charge for baggage?
When it comes to United Airlines overweight baggage, fees by route, then for the first checked bag on domestic flights, the charges are $35. Furthermore, for the international, the first bag fee is calculated to be around $60 depending on the travelling classes.
- First Bag (Domestic flights) - $35
- International Flights;
- Basic Economy - $60 for the first bag
- Other fare Class - $35 for the first bag.
Special Baggage Rules:
In reference to travel with United Airlines sports equipment or musical instruments then, the allowed items are mentioned below for the complete set of briefing accordingly.
- Sports equipment, such as golf clubs or skis, should be included as standard checked baggage and meet the size and weight limits.
- If the sports equipment exceeds United Airlines' weight or size limit, passengers must pay additional charges of $30 50 lbs, and oversized baggage fees apply for heavier bags.
- Passengers will be able to take musical instruments as standard checked baggage, but overweight instruments might also require a reservation and incur additional charges.
- The musical instruments allowed on United Airlines carry-on are soft-cased guitars and many more things that can easily fit under the overhead bin or the front seat.
United Airlines Baggage Policy for Basic Economy:
What's included in Basic Economy?
According to United Airlines, passengers on basic economy class flights will receive access to items that are also available under the economy class ticket. Therefore, the items included refer to soft drinks, snacks, and inflight entertainment.
Can you bring a carry-on or just a personal item?
Yes, United Airlines allows passengers to bring both a carry-on and a personal item on board. However, United allows it only under the conditions outlined in the carry-on baggage policy, which states that carry-on bags should easily fit in an overhead bin and personal items under the seat in front of the passenger.
How to upgrade for more baggage allowance?
Every passenger wants to add more baggage to their existing reservation to make the travel journey more convenient. To do so, United Airlines allows passengers to opt for specific ways, like adding through the online procedure or at the check-in counter at the airport. Or else remember that if the passenger goes for the higher travel class, they are automatically offered a higher baggage allowance.
What happens if your baggage is lost or delayed?
Sometimes, it is quite possible that United Airlines may lose your baggage or arrive damaged due to airport chaos. So, under such conditions, the airline is responsible for locating it, and further, in some cases, they will reimburse you for your expenses incurred while waiting for the luggage. Thus, to get familiar with all the essential details for reporting the luggage, then report to the airline with some points as mentioned below.
- Please report it to United Airlines through the official website, as one gets the compensation form, which mentions the reason and describes all the essential details.
- Otherwise, passengers can opt to report lost or damaged baggage at the airport check-in desk.
- Otherwise, contact the United Airlines customer service representative at 1-800-864-8331, and after approaching the assistant, receive assistance in reporting the problem accordingly.
Learn more in detail about How United Airlines handles lost or delayed baggage
Tips to avoid baggage fees on United Airlines:
There are various ways that are available to passengers to use for avoiding United Airlines baggage fees, and few of them are here.
- Pack light—One crucial tip for helping passengers waive the baggage fee is packing light backpacks that can fit appropriately under the airline's size and weight restrictions.
- User Travel Credit Card - The passenger can also use travel credit cards to cover the baggage fee and save extra on travel costs.
- Book higher fare classes - The passenger can prefer to book the ticket in higher fare classes, which comes with an additional baggage allowance compared to economy cabins.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I bring a backpack and a carry-on to United?
Yes, United Airlines allows passengers to bring both a backpack and a carry-on bag on United flights. The official website provides all the required dimensions and weights for carry-on bags and backpack norms defined accordingly.
2. What happens if my bag is overweight?
If the passenger bags are calculated to be overweight for a United flight ticket, then it is possible that charges for an access bag will be applied at the airport security check-in gate.
3. Does United Airlines allow two checked bags for free on International flights?
No, United Airlines does not allow or offer two free checked bags for an international flight. Instead, passengers are only allowed to bring one free checked bag, and a fee is applicable for the second bag.
4. Can I check in a bag for free with a United Card?
Passengers with United Airlines credit cards obtain access to free get-away with free checked bags on all United flights. However, passengers should never forget that this benefit is often limited to the first checked bag and might not apply to carry-on bags or other extras.
Conclusion:
After reading all the above-discussed information related to United Airlines baggage norms, which consisted of the bag's weight, dimensions, additional charges and other rules, the passenger is able to get familiar with all the essential details for travelling. However, to accumulate more guidance regarding United Airlines luggage rules, one must visit the airline's official website or contact a United Airlines customer service representative to collect additional information for luggage-related queries.
