When you want to go on a vacation, the essential thing is baggage and the weight and size that will be allowed. However, while you book your tickets with United Airlines, you must know the United baggage weight limit, which you can carry as checked and carry-on baggage with a specific standard weight and dimension allowance.
United Airlines Weight Limit for Carry-on Baggage
However, United Airlines allows you to bring carry-on baggage and a personal item on your flight, which you can keep under the seat in front of you.
The baggage in the cabin must fit in the overhead bin, which is up to 9*14*22 inches in size, including handles and wheels. In comparison, the personal item size should not exceed 9*10*17 inches.
Carry-on Baggage and personal items that can be free:
- Jacket or coat
- Umbrella
- Items bought at the airport
- Mobility devices
- A child car seat or stroller
- A diaper bag
- Camera
United Airlines Checked Baggage Policy
However, you can bring a checked bag with a maximum weight allowance, depending on your class type and whether you travel on domestic or international flights.
The maximum dimensions for your baggage must be:
- 76*52*20 cm.
United Airlines checked bag weight:
| Cabin class | Maximum Weight Allowance |
| Economy classPremium economy class | 23 kg |
| United BusinessUnited FirstUnited PolarisBusiness class | 32 kg |
Overweight or Oversized Baggage Limit on United
The baggage above the weight the airline mentions is called overweight baggage. You can add the maximum weight for checked baggage is 45 in economy class. The maximum dimension is 115 inches. When you exceed the required size, it is known as oversized baggage.
Meanwhile, you can still bring overweight or oversized bags, but they must be at most a certain threshold. Per the United Airlines baggage policy, the allowance weight for your baggage is up to 99 lbs only. If the size and weight exceed, it will be transported as cargo.
Special Baggage Allowance on United Airlines
United Airlines allows special baggage, such as sports equipment, musical instruments, and many more that you can carry in the cabin or as checked baggage. Moreover, it must be under the allowed weight and size, or else an additional baggage cost will be applicable by United Airlines.
Musical Instruments Weight Limit on United Airlines
Musical instruments, like guitars, drums, trumpets, etc., are allowed as carry-on baggage on United Airlines, depending on the dimension and weight, which decides whether the baggage should be taken in the cabin or checked baggage.
Checked Baggage for Musical Equipment
- Check if all the instruments are adequately packed in a hard shell case with weight and dimensions not exceeding 23 kg and 158 linear cm for transporting as checked baggage for all instruments. You will be charged a fee per fare, and they will be considered baggage.
- Moreover, United Airlines will charge an additional fee if the size and weight of the instrument is 45 kg and the size is up to 300 kg, as it will be overweight or oversized baggage.
Sports Instruments as Carry-on Baggage
- Bowling equipment.
- Tennis equipment.
- Archery equipment.
- Fishing equipment.
Sports Equipment as Checked Baggage
Meanwhile, United Airlines allows equipment as checked baggage, with a most weight of up to 23 kg in economy class and business class of up to 32 kg; if the weight exceeds this limit, flyers must pay an extra baggage fee for overweight baggage.
How to Add Baggage on United Airlines?
United Airlines allows you to add your baggage after booking your tickets through the Manage My Booking option, or during boarding time. Suppose the baggage exceeds the weight and size per the allowance, you will not be allowed to take your baggage on the flight.
Use Manage Booking to Add Your Baggage
- Firstly, browse the official website of United Airlines.
- Navigate to the Manage Booking option.
- Enter all the details to log in and manage my booking.
- Now, select “Add a Baggage” from the menu section.
- The following window will show the excess baggage allowance.
- Enter the number of bags with weight and size to add.
Go to the Airport Counter
Nevertheless, you can add the bag at the last moment when you visit the airport counter and request to add more baggage to your booking. Under the fare eligibility, executives will add the bags. You must purchase the bags online rather than at the airport.
Understand the Fee for Baggage on United Airlines
The baggage fee on United Airlines depends on your fare type, weight, and size. However, carry-on baggage does not require a baggage fee; you must pay for the checked baggage for each bag you add.
| Baggage | Baggage Fee |
| First checked bag | $30 |
| Second checked bag | $40 |
| Overweight baggage | $100 to $200 |
| Oversized baggage | $200+ |
| Additional baggage | $150 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, when you travel on United Airlines, there is a baggage weight limit for both carry-on and checked baggage. The carry-on baggage must be up to 9*14*22 inches and checked baggage up to 32 kg.
However, you can carry special baggage, like musical and sports equipment, on United Airlines, yet you have to pay a baggage fee of $150 per bag.
Yes, you can add your baggage at the time of booking or two hours before departure by using the Manage My Booking app, phone, or the airport counter. United will ask you to pay for the checked baggage.
United Airlines will charge an additional fee if your bag exceeds the standard weight. Depending on your baggage, you must pay $100 to $200.
When you carry liquid items in the cabin, United will allow you to bring up to 100, and if the liquid item exceeds the limit, you must keep it in the checked baggage.
Moreover, United allows you to bring checked baggage with the maximum weight allowance, depending on your class type and whether you travel on domestic or international flights. For economy and premium economy class, it is up to 23 kg; for business, first-class, and Polaris class, you can carry up to 32 kg per bag.
