United Airlines Baggage Policy 2026: Carry-On Size, Fees, Pets

The limit is 22 x 14 x 9 inches (56 x 35 x 23 cm) for one carry-on, and United tells you to measure with the handle and wheels. Each passenger also brings one personal item free on most flights. Basic Economy is the exception: in most cases that fare includes only the personal item, unless you hold Premier status, Star Alliance Gold or a qualifying United card.

Your personal item can measure up to 17 x 10 x 9 inches (43 x 25 x 22 cm) and has to fit under the seat in front of you. United names purses and backpacks as common examples. On most Basic Economy tickets this is the only bag you can bring on board, so stay inside those numbers on that fare.

No weight limit appears on United's bags page for carry-ons or personal items, which lists sizes only. Agents enforce the 22 x 14 x 9 in size, and that is what gets a bag pulled at the gate. You still need to lift the bag into the overhead bin yourself.

Only 1 personal item comes with Basic Economy in most cases, and the full-size carry-on stays home. Transatlantic, transpacific and South America flights have been the exceptions. MileagePlus Premier members, Star Alliance Gold members and primary cardmembers of qualifying United cards also keep the carry-on. Basic Economy boards last, in Group 6. A carry-on found at the gate gets checked for the bag fee plus a $25 handling charge.

Since April 2, 2026, general MileagePlus members also need a United card to earn miles on Basic Economy, according to United's newsroom.

Three fee increases hit United in 2026, each tied to the date you bought the ticket. Domestic, Canada, Caribbean, Mexico and short Latin America flights went up for tickets bought from April 3, 2026: about $50 for the first bag ($45 prepaid 24 hours ahead), $60 for the second and $200 for a third. Long-haul routes to Africa, Asia, Europe and South America followed on May 12. Japan, Hong Kong, the Philippines and flights within Asia changed on July 21. United's fee calculator shows the exact price for your route.

Increases apply by purchase date, so a ticket bought before the change keeps the older bag price.

Economy and Premium Plus checked bags can weigh up to 50 lb (23 kg). United Business, United First and Polaris raise that to 70 lb (32 kg), and so does Premier status in any cabin. Size tops out at 62 linear inches (157 cm), or 30 x 20 x 12 in (76 x 52 x 30 cm), handles and wheels included. Bags over 100 lb (45 kg) or 115 linear inches (292 cm) are not accepted as checked baggage. When cabin and status give different limits, United uses the larger one.

$100 is the overweight charge for a bag between 51 and 70 lb on domestic routes, rising to $200 from 71 to 100 lb. An oversized bag measuring 63 to 115 linear inches adds about $200. These charges come on top of the regular bag fee. Customers whose cabin or status allows 70 lb pay no overweight charge up to that weight.

Three United cards waive bag fees for the primary cardmember and one companion on the same reservation, when the ticket is bought with the card: - Explorer Card: first bag free. - Quest Card and Club Card: first and second bags free. MileagePlus Premier members get 1 to 3 free bags by tier, Star Alliance Gold members get 1, and United says active-duty service members can check extra bags for free.

Card bag benefits apply only on United- and United Express-operated flights, not on partner codeshares.

Two checked bags have been included in Premium Plus, United First and Polaris. Weight differs by cabin: Premium Plus bags follow the 50 lb (23 kg) Economy limit, while First and Polaris bags can weigh 70 lb (32 kg). In April 2026 United added a cheaper base option to Polaris and Premium Plus, and its standard option includes extra checked bags, so base buyers should check the allowance on their booking.

The base option launched in select long-haul, transcontinental and longer Hawaii markets first.

$150 each way is the in-cabin pet fee, with another $150 for a stopover over 4 hours in the U.S. or 24 hours abroad. Dogs and cats travel in the cabin. A soft-sided carrier can measure about 18 x 11 x 11 inches (46 x 28 x 28 cm) and a hard-sided one about 17.5 x 12 x 7.5 inches. The carrier takes the place of your carry-on. United does not fly pets in cargo for most travelers.

A Basic Economy carry-on caught at the gate costs the checked bag fee plus a $25 handling charge, so that fare is where enforcement bites. For everyone else, the 22 x 14 x 9 in limit includes the handle and wheels, and the bag must fit in the overhead bin. United's larger E175 bins hold up to 29 more carry-ons per jet, which cuts gate checks on regional flights.

Report a delayed bag within 24 hours of arrival on U.S. trips, or within 21 days after an international trip, online, in the United app, by texting BAGS to 32050 or by calling 1-800-335-2247. You get a file number ending in M. Interim expense claims for clothes and toiletries are due within 45 days (U.S.) or 21 days (international). United refunds the bag fee automatically after a 12 hour domestic delay, 15 hours on international flights under 12 hours, or 30 hours on longer ones. The app bag tracker shows real-time location.