- 13 Aug, 2025
United Airlines, a major United States airline, serves over 360 destinations with its extensive domestic and international route network across the United States and six continents. Based on the number of destinations it goes to, it is the largest airline in the world. With so many services, United Airlines also offers a great baggage policy for both checked and carry-on baggage. The airline charges additional charges for heavy or overweight bags, just like any other carrier. In this article, we will look at the United Airlines baggage allowance and travel guidelines.
United Airlines Carry On Baggage
As per United Airlines, passengers are permitted to carry one piece of cabin baggage and one personal item for free. Let us look at the allowance of carry-on baggage based on the class of flight.
- Carry On baggage in Standard Economy - Free
- Carry-on baggage in Basic Economy—No baggage is included for flights within the United States, while carry-on baggage is included in the tickets for South American, transatlantic, and transpacific flights.
Size Consideration for carry-on
According to United Airlines baggage policy, passengers are permitted to bring a personal item that is within 17 x 10 x 9 inches or 43 x 25 x 22 cm.
- For carry-on baggage, the allowed dimensions of hand luggage or cabin baggage must exceed 22 x 14 x 9 inches or 56 x 35 x 22 cm.
United Airlines Checked Baggage Allowance
According to United Airlines' checked baggage allowance, all checked bags must be within the permitted weight limit of 50 pounds or 23 kg for passengers traveling in economy class cabins. However, allowances for premium cabins are different. These premium cabins include Polaris Business and First Class, and passengers who are traveling in them are allowed to carry baggage that should be within 70 pounds or 32 kg.
Size Consideration for Check-in baggage
United Airlines allows passengers to bring check-in baggage, which should be 62 inches in total or 157 cm in length + width + height, including the handles and wheels; if the passengers fail to bring a bag within this limit, they will have to pay the extra charges.
United Airlines Baggage weight limit
These baggage allowances are based on the class of ticket or flight. They are also decided by the status of MileagePlus, so here is how much baggage is allowed to be carried based on the classes.
- United Economy - 50 pounds or 23 kg
- Premium Economy - 50 pounds or 23 kg
- United Business - 70 pounds or 32 kg
- United First - 70 pounds or 32 kg
- United Polaris Business class - 70 pounds or 32 kg
For the MileagePlus members, the United Airlines weight limit varies based on the status of tiers. Let's look at how weight allowance differentiates based on the status level of MileagePlus.
- Premium Silver - 50 pounds or 23 kg
- Premium Gold - 50 pounds or 23 kg
- Premium Platinum - 70 pounds or 32 kg
- Premier 1K - 70 pounds or 32 kg
- Star Alliance Gold - 50 pounds or 23 kg (For Economy) and 70 pounds or 32 kg (For Business)
Oversized, Overweight, and Excess Baggage with United Airlines
If the checked baggage is oversized or overweight, or if it crosses the allowed limits, then the baggage fees may be applied. However, the airlines do not accept oversized and overweight bags from certain destinations. You can check the list of these destinations on the official website of United Airlines.
Here are the following considerations for excess baggage in United Airlines.
- The airline does not allow passengers to bring baggage that measures more than 115 inches.
- Overweight baggage weighing over 100 pounds is not allowed.
- Special baggage shouldn't weigh over 165 pounds.
