United Airlines Baggage Policy – Fee & Allowance. United Airlines has a pretty basic baggage policy all around so you won’t find many surprises here.
Overweight/oversized fees are a bit on the higher side but that being said, they’re consistent with most other major U.S. carriers.
Something to note: Economy fares are split into Basic or Full Economy, which is of importance when you consider the carry-on allowance.
Otherwise, in terms of baggage, fees are pretty much the same across the two.
What is United Airlines’ (UA) baggage policy?
The United Airlines (UA) baggage policy for regular Economy Class fares include the following:
- Carry-on baggage.
- 1 personal item – Fee free
- 1 carry-on item – Fee free
- Checked baggage / Hold luggage – Applicable fees apply
- Overweight and Oversize bags – Applicable fees per bag depending on weight and size categories
- Sports equipment – Applicable fees apply
What is United Airlines’ (UA) carry-on baggage policy?
United Airlines (UA) allows 1 carry-on bag and 1 personal item (purse, briefcase, laptop bag) per passenger fee free.
Carry-on should not exceed the following size and weight restrictions:
- 45 linear inches (22 x 14 x 9 in) or 115 centimeters (56 x 36 x 23 cm) including handles and wheels
- Fit in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you.
Personal item should not exceed the following size and weight restrictions:
- 36 linear inches (16 x 11 x 8 in) or 89 centimeters (41 x 28 x 20 cm)
- Fit in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you
- A jacket, umbrella, diaper bag, duty free items, and assistive devices (wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, strollers, child restraint seats, etc.) do not count towards your carry-on allowance.
NOTE: Bulkhead seats do not have under seat storage, therefore, all carry-on baggage must be stowed in the overhead bin during take-off and landing.
What is United Airlines’ (UA) checked baggage / hold luggage policy?
United Airlines’ (UA) standard checked baggage / hold luggage policy details follow:
- 2 bags standard (fees apply for Economy Class fares)
- Maximum dimensions: 62 inches or 157 centimeters (length + width + height)
- Maximum weight: 50 pounds or 23 kilograms
Are there fees for baggage on United Airlines (UA)?
Yes, fees might apply.
They are determined by the type of fare you purchased, your destination, if you are an active U S military personnel and/or dependent, if you have status with United Airlines’ (UA) frequent flyer program, status with an affiliated carrier, or if you have a United Airlines (UA) sponsored credit/charge card.
United Airlines’ (UA) standard checked baggage / hold luggage fees for U S domestic flights:
- First bag: $35.00 USD
- Second bag: $45.00 USD
- Third and any additional: $150.00 USD per bag
NOTE: You may add up to 2 checked bags, prepay in advance online (more than 24 hours before departure) and receive $5 off the cost of each of the first 2 checked bags [Effective for travel from 6 March 2020].
International flights:
- United Airlines’ (UA) standard checked baggage / hold luggage fees for to/from U S international flights generally are nothing for the first and $100.00 USD for the second. International Basic Economy checked baggage / hold luggage fees are $60 USD for the first bag and $100 USD for the second. Some routes allow two checked bags as standard. United Airlines’ (UA) “Baggage Calculator” on United.com will determine the exact amount per route.
| Route | Economy (Basic, Plus & Full) | Premium Plus | Business | First |
| Domestic U.S. & Canada/Central America*/Caribbean (excluding Cuba) | 1st Bag: $30 2nd Bag: $40 3rd+ Bag: $150 | 1st Bag: FREE 2nd Bag: FREE 3rd+ Bags: $150 | 1st Bag: FREE 2nd Bag: FREE 3rd+ Bags: $150 | 1st Bag: FREE 2nd Bag: FREE 3rd+ Bags: $150 |
| U.S. to/from Cuba | 1st Bag: $30 2nd Bag: $100 3rd+ Bag: $500 | 1st Bag: FREE 2nd Bag: FREE 3rd+ Bags: $500 | 1st Bag: FREE 2nd Bag: FREE 3rd+ Bags: $500 | 1st Bag: FREE 2nd Bag: FREE 3rd+ Bags: $500 |
| U.S. to/from Mexico | 1st Bag: $30 2nd Bag: $55 3rd+ Bag: $180 | 1st Bag: FREE 2nd Bag: FREE 3rd+ Bags: $180 | 1st Bag: FREE 2nd Bag: FREE 3rd+ Bags: $180 | 1st Bag: FREE 2nd Bag: FREE 3rd+ Bags: $180 |
| U.S. to/from Europe/India/Middle East | 1st Bag: FREE ($60 Basic Economy) 2nd Bag: $100 3rd+ Bag: $200 | 1st Bag: FREE 2nd Bag: FREE 3rd+ Bags: $200 | 1st Bag: FREE 2nd Bag: FREE 3rd+ Bags: $200 | 1st Bag: FREE 2nd Bag: FREE 3rd+ Bags: $200 |
| U.S. to/from South America | 1st Bag: FREE 2nd Bag: FREE ($100 for Colombia, $40 for Ecuador) 3rd+ Bag: $150 | 1st Bag: FREE 2nd Bag: FREE 3rd+ Bag: $150 | 1st Bag: FREE 2nd Bag: FREE 3rd+ Bag: $150 | 1st Bag: FREE 2nd Bag: FREE 3rd+ Bag: $150 |
| U.S. to/from East Asia, Australia & New Zealand | 1st Bag: FREE 2nd Bag: FREE ($100 for New Zealand) 3rd+ Bag: $200 | 1st Bag: FREE 2nd Bag: FREE 3rd+ Bag: $200 | 1st Bag: FREE 2nd Bag: FREE 3rd+ Bag: $200 | 1st Bag: FREE 2nd Bag: FREE 3rd+ Bag: $200 |
* Exclusions for Central America:
- 2nd bag : $100 for Guatemala & El Salvador
- 3rd+bags: $300 for Guatemala/$500 for El Salvador
What is United Airlines’ (UA) fee for excess baggage?
United Airlines (UA) will charge a range starting at $150 USD for the third bag and additional bags depending on the route.
We strongly recommend visiting United Airlines’ (UA) “Baggage Calculator” on United.com since it will help you determine the exact amount per route.
Note: There are permanent and time period excess baggage embargoes to and from specific destinations in the Caribbean, Central America, Europe, Mexico, the Middle East, and South America.
Please check “Baggage Embargoes” on United.com.
What is United Airlines’ (UA) fee for overweight baggage?
United Airlines (UA) will charge the following for U S domestic flights for bags that are greater than the standard 50 pounds or 23 kilograms:
- 51 to 70 pounds or 24 to 32 kilograms: $100.00 USD to $200 USD extra per bag
- 71 to 100 pounds or 33 to 46 kilograms: $400.00 USD extra per bag
- Bags exceeding 100 pounds or 46 kilograms will not be accepted as checked baggage / hold luggage.
- Fees for flights to/from the U S range from $200.00 to $400.00 USD. United Airlines’ (UA) “Baggage Calculator” on united.com will determine the exact amount per route.
What is United Airlines’ (UA) fee for oversize baggage?
United Airlines (UA) will charge $200.00 USD extra for bags that are from 63 to 115 linear inches or from 160 to 292 centimeters.
Bags greater than 115 linear inches or 292 centimeters will not be accepted as checked baggage / hold luggage.
| Route | Oversized bags 63 to 115 linear inches | Overweight bags 51 to 70 lbs | Overweight bags 71 to 100 lbs |
| Domestic U.S. & Canada | $200 | $100 | $200 |
| U.S. to/from Mexico (excluding Cancun/Cozumel/Merida) | $200-£400 (depending on departure airport) | $100 | $200 |
| U.S. to/from Cancun/Cozumel/Merida | $200-$400 (depending on departure airport) | $100 | $200 |
| U.S. to/from the Caribbean (excluding Puerto Rico/U.S. Virgin Islands/Cuba) | $200-$400 (depending on departure airport) | $200 | $400 |
| U.S. to/from Puerto Rico/U.S. Virgin Islands | $200 | $100 | $200 |
| U.S. to/from Cuba | $400 | $400 | $600 |
| U.S. to/from Central America (excluding Panama/Guatemala/El Salvador) | $200 – $300 (depending on departure airport) | $200 | $400 |
| U.S. to/from Panama | $200-$300 (depending on departure airport) | $100 ($200 departing from Washington, DC) | $200 ($400 departing from Washington, DC) |
| U.S. to/from Guatemala | $250 | $250 | $450 |
| U.S. to/from El Salvador | $300 | $300 | $500 |
| U.S. to/from South America (excluding Brazil) | $200-$400 (depending on departure airport) | $200 | $400 |
| U.S. to/from Brazil | $200 | $100 ($200 departing from Washington, DC) | $200 ($400 departing from Washington, DC) |
| U.S. to/from Europe/India/Middle East/Africa | $200 | $200 | $400 |
| U.S. to/from East Asia, Australia & New Zealand | $200 | $200 | $400 |
Are there fees for sports equipment on United Airlines (UA)?
Fees depend on type of sports equipment.
Skis, golf bags, fishing equipment, hockey, and lacrosse equipment are generally considered one item.
Fees are charged starting at $30 USD.
Fees for larger sporting equipment start at $150 USD. Check the sports equipment section of the baggage information page on united.com for exact details.
CPAP Devices:
Portable electronic personal ventilators, respirators and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines may be carried and used on board United flights if it can be verified by a manufacturers’ label or otherwise that the units meet applicable FAA requirements.
A forty-eight (48) hour minimum advance notification to the Accessibility Desk (1-800-228-2744) is required for customers using a ventilator, respirator or CPAP machine on board.
How much does it cost to check a bag on United?
Although United recommends you check their baggage calculator for checked baggage fees, the following costs seem pretty consistent: Economy $30 for domestic flights and to/from Canada & Mexico.
To Europe its $0 – $60 depending on your fare type. 2+ bags are charged at a higher cost.
For Business, 2 free bags are included across all routes and for First Class, 2 – 3 bags.
Are checked bags free on United?
Checked bags are free for Business Class and First Class passengers across all destinations.
Economy passengers to Europe and other long-haul destinations receive 1 checked bag for free.
Check United’s baggage calculator to check the allowance for your route.
If you’ve booked an Economy Basic fare then you will not have any free checked baggage allowance included.
How many bags can you carry on United?
All passengers traveling United can bring 1 personal item onboard measuring up to 17″ x 10″ x 9″.
All fare types excluding Basic Economy are permitted to also bring 1 standard carry-on bag up to 22″ x 14″ x 9″ (this excludes Basic Economy for transatlantic flights where a standard carry-on is included).
How much is excess baggage on United Airlines?
If your checked baggage is oversized then United will charge you $200-$400 per bag (up to maximum linear dimensions 115″).
Charges for overweight baggage depends on your route and generally are $100 – $200 for bags weighing 51-70lb and $200 – $400 for bags weighing 71-100lb.