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United Airlines baggage allowance

Carry-on and checked-bag sizes, weights and fees for United Airlines (Economy), verified 2026-06.

United Airlines · UA · Economy

Second bag $55 prepaid / $60 at airport.

🧳 Carry-on 56 × 35 × 23 cm 22 × 14 × 9 in · No enforced weight

Basic Economy: personal item only, no overhead carry-on.

👜 Personal item 43 × 25 × 22 cm 17 × 10 × 9 in
🧳 Checked bag 23 kg · 158 cm total 50 lb · 62 in linear · 1st bag $45

$45 prepaid / $50 at airport (1st bag domestic, tickets on/after 3 Apr 2026).

United Airlines baggage allowance, explained

United Airlines (UA) Economy allowance at a glance:

  • Cabin bag: 56 × 35 × 23 cm (22 × 14 × 9 in) · No enforced weight limit — size is what counts.
  • Personal item: 43 × 25 × 22 cm — handbag, laptop bag or small backpack, under the seat.
  • Checked bag: Paid add-on — from $45; up to 23 kg (50 lb) · max 158 cm total. Add online — airport is dearer.
  • Worth knowing: Second bag $55 prepaid / $60 at airport.

Not sure your bag passes the sizer? Check it with the carry-on size checker, or see if it all fits the rental with the luggage fit calculator. Figures verified 2026-06 — always confirm on the official United Airlines baggage page before you fly, as fees change often.

Flying United Airlines? Pick a good seat on its fleet: Airbus A320 seat map → · Airbus A321neo seat map → · Airbus A319 seat map → · Boeing 737-800 seat map →

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More on United Airlines baggage

What is United Airlines' carry-on baggage allowance?

United Airlines allows one cabin bag of 56 × 35 × 23 cm (22 × 14 × 9 in), with no actively enforced weight limit. You can also bring a personal item of about 43 × 25 × 22 cm such as a handbag or laptop bag. Basic Economy: personal item only, no overhead carry-on.

How much is a checked bag on United Airlines?

United Airlines charges for checked bags — from $45 for the first bag, up to 23 kg (50 lb), max 158 cm (62 in) total. $45 prepaid / $50 at airport (1st bag domestic, tickets on/after 3 Apr 2026). It's always cheaper to add or prepay a bag online than at the airport.

Does United Airlines charge for checked bags?

Yes. $45 prepaid / $50 at airport (1st bag domestic, tickets on/after 3 Apr 2026). US airlines raised checked-bag fees across the board in 2026, and it's cheaper to prepay online than at the airport. Your carry-on and a personal item are still included.

Does United Airlines weigh carry-on bags?

Generally no. Like most US carriers, United Airlines limits the cabin bag by size rather than weight and rarely weighs it — the 23 kg limit that matters is on your checked bag.

United Airlines vs American Airlines baggage — how do they compare?

Carry-on: United Airlines allows 56 × 35 × 23 cm; American Airlines allows 56 × 36 × 23 cm. Checked: United Airlines gives you a checked bag from $45, while American Airlines gives a checked bag from $50. See the full American Airlines baggage allowance to compare side by side.

Compare two airlines side by side

See whose Economy baggage is more generous — the better value on each row is highlighted. Verified 2026-06.

Economy
United AirlinesUA
LufthansaLH
Carry-on
Carry-on size56 × 35 × 23 cm22 × 14 × 9 in55 × 40 × 23 cm22 × 16 × 9 in
Cabin weightNo enforced limit8 kg (enforced)
Personal item43 × 25 × 22 cmYes
Gate-check riskLowHigher
Checked bag
Free checked bags00
1st checked bag$45from €45
Weight per bag23 kg50 lb23 kg51 lb
Max size (L+W+H)158 cm62 in158 cm62 in
Varies by fareNoYes
Good to know
NotableSecond bag $55 prepaid / $60 at airport.Fare family (Light / Classic / Flex) decides the allowance. Light is carry-on only.
Official policyView ↗View ↗

🟢 = the more generous of the two on that row. Allowances vary by fare and route — always confirm with the airline.

Compare all 78 airlines at a glance

Tap any row to load its full details above, or a column header to sort (cheapest checked bag, biggest carry-on…). Economy fares, verified 2026-06.

AirlineCarry-on (cm)Cabin kgPersonal itemChecked kg1st checked bag
56 × 36 × 23 46 × 36 × 20 cm 23 kg $50
56 × 36 × 23 43 × 33 × 23 cm 23 kg $45
56 × 35 × 23 43 × 25 × 22 cm 23 kg $45
61 × 41 × 25 47 × 34 × 22 cm 23 kg $45
56 × 36 × 23 43 × 33 × 20 cm 23 kg from $39
61 × 41 × 25 16 kg 46 × 36 × 20 cm 18 kg from $60
55 × 40 × 23 8 kg Yes 23 kg from €45
55 × 35 × 25 12 kg 40 × 30 × 15 cm 23 kg from €25
56 × 45 × 25 23 kg 40 × 30 × 15 cm 23 kg from £0
55 × 35 × 25 12 kg 40 × 30 × 15 cm 23 kg from €30
40 × 20 × 25 40 × 20 × 25 cm 20 kg from €19
45 × 36 × 20 15 kg 45 × 36 × 20 cm 23 kg Route-priced
55 × 38 × 20 7 kg No 23 kg 1 free
50 × 37 × 25 7 kg Yes 23 kg 1 free
55 × 35 × 20 7 kg 40 × 30 × 10 cm 23 kg 1 free
56 × 36 × 23 7 kg Yes 23 kg 1 free
56 × 36 × 23 7 kg Yes 23 kg 1 free
55 × 40 × 25 10 kg Yes 23 kg 2 free
55 × 40 × 23 43 × 33 × 16 cm 23 kg from C$45
56 × 36 × 23 41 × 33 × 15 cm 23 kg from C$45
56 × 36 × 23 43 × 25 × 23 cm 23 kg $45
56 × 36 × 23 11 kg Yes 23 kg $45
55 × 35 × 25 10 kg Yes 23 kg Route-priced
55 × 35 × 25 10 kg 45 × 35 × 20 cm 23 kg Route-priced
55 × 40 × 25 10 kg Yes 23 kg from $60
55 × 40 × 25 10 kg 45 × 35 × 20 cm 25 kg Route-priced
56 × 36 × 26 10 kg 43 × 25 × 22 cm 23 kg from $30
55 × 35 × 25 10 kg 32 × 22 × 43 cm 23 kg 1 free
55 × 35 × 25 10 kg 40 × 30 × 20 cm 23 kg 1 free
55 × 40 × 23 8 kg 40 × 30 × 15 cm 23 kg 1 free
56 × 40 × 25 10 kg 40 × 30 × 15 cm 23 kg Route-priced
55 × 40 × 24 10 kg 25 × 33 × 20 cm 23 kg from €75
55 × 40 × 25 10 kg Yes 23 kg Route-priced
55 × 40 × 23 8 kg 40 × 30 × 15 cm 23 kg Route-priced
55 × 40 × 23 8 kg 40 × 30 × 10 cm 23 kg Route-priced
55 × 40 × 23 8 kg Yes 23 kg Route-priced
40 × 30 × 20 40 × 30 × 20 cm 20 kg Route-priced
55 × 40 × 20 10 kg 40 × 30 × 20 cm 23 kg Route-priced
55 × 40 × 23 10 kg 38 × 30 × 20 cm 23 kg from $45
55 × 40 × 23 8 kg 40 × 30 × 15 cm 23 kg Route-priced
55 × 35 × 25 8 kg Yes 23 kg from €60
56 × 36 × 23 7 kg No 23 kg 1 free
56 × 36 × 23 7 kg Yes 23 kg 2 free
55 × 40 × 23 8 kg Yes 23 kg 2 free
45 × 40 × 30 6 kg Yes 23 kg 1 free
55 × 40 × 20 7 kg Yes 20 kg 1 free
55 × 40 × 23 7 kg Yes 23 kg 2 free
55 × 40 × 25 10 kg 40 × 30 × 15 cm 23 kg 1 free
55 × 40 × 20 7 kg Yes 23 kg 1 free
55 × 35 × 25 7 kg Yes 23 kg 1 free
55 × 40 × 25 10 kg Yes 23 kg 2 free
55 × 40 × 20 10 kg 40 × 30 × 15 cm 23 kg 1 free
55 × 40 × 20 10 kg 40 × 30 × 20 cm 23 kg 1 free
55 × 40 × 20 5 kg Yes 23 kg 1 free
55 × 40 × 20 5 kg Yes 23 kg 1 free
55 × 40 × 20 10 kg Yes 23 kg 1 free
56 × 36 × 23 7 kg Yes 23 kg 1 free
56 × 36 × 23 7 kg 40 × 30 × 15 cm 23 kg 1 free
56 × 45 × 25 7 kg 38 × 25 × 13 cm 23 kg 1 free
56 × 36 × 23 7 kg Yes 20 kg 1 free
56 × 36 × 23 7 kg Yes 23 kg 1 free
56 × 36 × 23 10 kg Yes 23 kg 1 free
56 × 36 × 23 7 kg 45 × 35 × 20 cm 23 kg 2 free
56 × 36 × 23 7 kg 40 × 30 × 10 cm 23 kg Route-priced
56 × 36 × 23 7 kg 35 × 20 × 20 cm 20 kg Route-priced
56 × 36 × 23 7 kg Yes 23 kg Route-priced
54 × 38 × 23 10 kg 40 × 30 × 10 cm 20 kg Route-priced
55 × 40 × 23 7 kg Yes 23 kg 1 free
56 × 45 × 25 10 kg 40 × 30 × 20 cm 22 kg Route-priced
56 × 41 × 25 46 × 36 × 20 cm 23 kg Route-priced
61 × 41 × 28 16 kg 43 × 33 × 23 cm 23 kg $30
61 × 36 × 25 16 kg 43 × 33 × 20 cm 23 kg from $35
55 × 40 × 20 8 kg 40 × 30 × 15 cm 20 kg Route-priced
56 × 45 × 25 8 kg 45 × 35 × 20 cm 23 kg from €13
55 × 40 × 23 8 kg 40 × 35 × 12 cm 23 kg from $21
55 × 35 × 25 7 kg Yes 15 kg 1 free
55 × 35 × 25 7 kg Yes 15 kg Route-priced
56 × 45 × 25 12 kg 42 × 32 × 25 cm 20 kg Route-priced

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Questions

Are these baggage fees accurate?

They're each airline's published Economy figures, verified 2026-06. Baggage fees change often — US carriers all raised checked-bag fees in April–May 2026 — so always confirm with your airline before you fly. Fees also vary by route, fare type and when you buy.

Why is the carry-on weight sometimes blank?

Most US carriers don't actively weigh carry-ons, so no limit is shown. European, Gulf and Asian carriers do enforce a cabin weight (often 7–12 kg) — that's shown when it applies.

Do you store my data?

No account, no server. Your last airline choice is saved only in your own browser.

⚠️ Baggage allowances and fees change frequently and vary by route and fare. Data verified 2026-06. Always confirm on your airline's official site before travelling — especially fees.