AirlineLimitsAirline baggage limits, decoded.

United Airlines carry-on: 22 × 14 × 9 in

Last checked: 7/14/2026 • IATA: UA • ICAO: UAL

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Not a binding baggage approval: fare, route, aircraft or operating carrier can vary. Check the linked official sources before booking and departure.

Carry-on for the overhead bin

Depends on fare or booking option

Dimensions H×W×D
UnitHWD
in22149
cm563523
Weight
No published limit
  • One bag up to 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 35 × 23 cm), including handles and wheels, is included on most fares.
  • United does not publish a general numerical weight limit on this page.
  • Basic Economy travellers receive only a personal item unless flying to South America or across the Atlantic or Pacific.
  • For tickets bought on or after April 3, 2026, carry-on bag fees on other Basic Economy trips start at USD 45 prepaid, USD 50 at the airport or USD 75 at the gate.
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Source for this section: Carry-on bags

Personal item

Included in fare

Dimensions H×W×D
UnitHWD
in17109
cm432522
  • One item such as a backpack, purse or laptop bag up to 17 × 10 × 9 in (43 × 25 × 22 cm) must fit beneath the seat in front.
  • It is the baggage item included on Basic Economy trips where a full-size carry-on is not permitted.

Source for this section: Carry-on bags — personal items

Checked baggage

Weight (standard limit per piece)
50 lb / 23 kg
  • Economy and Premium Economy bags may weigh up to 50 lb / 23 kg.
  • Business, First and Polaris bags may weigh up to 70 lb / 32 kg.
  • A checked bag may measure no more than 30 × 20 × 12 in (76 × 52 × 30 cm) or 62 total in.
  • Allowance and fees depend on the itinerary, ticket date, cabin and MileagePlus status; United directs travellers to its baggage fee calculator for the applicable price.

Source for this section: Checked bags

Overweight & excess baggage

  • United charges additional fees for oversized, overweight and extra bags; both charges apply when a bag is oversized and overweight.
  • Bags over 100 lb / 45 kg or 115 total in / 292 cm are not accepted, except that musical instruments may weigh up to 165 lb / 75 kg.
  • Extra bags are accepted only when space is available.
  • Restrictions and prices vary by destination and travel date, so the itinerary-specific calculator is required.

Source for this section: Overweight and oversize bags

Liquids in carry-on

Allowed

  • Liquids, gels and sprays in carry-on baggage must be in containers no larger than 3.4 oz / 100 ml and placed in one clear, resealable quart-size bag.
  • On domestic US flights, United permits powders up to 12 oz / 350 ml in carry-on baggage and recommends packing powders in checked baggage.

Source for this section: Carry-on bags — liquids rules

Pets

Pet transport

Allowed

United accepts cats and dogs in the cabin when they fit comfortably in a closed carrier beneath the seat and meet the route and destination requirements.

More details
  • Current maximum carrier dimensions are 17.5 × 12 × 7.5 in for a hard-sided kennel and 18 × 11 × 11 in for a soft-sided one.
  • Add the pet to the booking in advance and check the itinerary-specific health and entry rules; United states that rabies records are not required for domestic US travel.

Source for this section: Traveling with pets

Special baggage

Sports equipment

Allowed

Most sports equipment can travel as checked baggage.

More details
  • It counts toward the checked-bag allowance and may be subject to fees.
  • United directs travellers to its official sports-equipment tool for the item-specific rules.

Source for this section: Sports equipment and special items

Musical instruments

Allowed

Small instruments in a hard-shell case may travel as carry-on or personal-item baggage when they fit in the overhead bin or beneath the seat; United checks them free of charge if cabin space is unavailable.

More details
  • Contact United before checking an instrument over 115 total in.
  • A separate seat may be booked for a fragile or bulky instrument; the item must weigh less than 165 lb / 75 kg and be approved.
  • A larger instrument brought to the gate on a Basic Economy ticket incurs the applicable checked-bag fee plus a USD 25 gate handling charge.

Source for this section: Cabin seat baggage — instruments

Medical equipment

Allowed

FAA-approved POCs, ventilators, respirators and CPAP machines may be used during flight under the device-specific rules.

More details
  • POC users must carry a completed printed POC form.
  • For a ventilator, respirator or CPAP machine, United requires charged batteries for 150% of the flight and connections plus time at the airport; compressed-gas POCs cannot be used in flight, and liquid oxygen itself is not allowed on United aircraft.

Source for this section: Medical equipment and oxygen

Prohibited items in the cabin

  • Hoverboards, self-balancing wheels, e-bikes, motorised scooters and lithium-ion powered rideable luggage
  • Smart bags with non-removable lithium batteries in the cabin or hold
  • E-cigarettes and personal vaporisers in checked or gate-checked bags
  • Loose lithium batteries and power banks in checked luggage
  • Stun guns with the power source still installed
  • Items over 100 lb / 45 kg or 115 linear in / 292 cm, except musical instruments up to 165 lb
  • Recalled, damaged or defective batteries are not accepted.
  • Personal devices with lithium batteries below 100 Wh may travel in cabin or checked baggage; United permits up to two carry-on lithium batteries with a maximum of 160 Wh each.
  • Loose lithium batteries, power banks and e-cigarettes are prohibited in checked or gate-checked baggage.
  • E-cigarettes cannot be used or charged on board.
  • Firearms and ammunition must be secured, declared and transported in checked baggage under the separate firearm rules.

Source for this section: Dangerous and prohibited items

Official source

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