How strict is United with bags? (2023)

Is United strict with checked bags?

We can't accept bags weighing more than 100 pounds (45 kilograms). However, musical instruments and assistive devices are exceptions. We'll accept musical instruments up to 165 pounds (75 kilograms) and all assistive devices. We only accept extra bags if there's space available on the aircraft.

United Airlines Checked Baggage

The maximum exterior dimension of standard checked baggage is 62 inches (158 cm), including handles and wheels. The maximum weight for checked baggage is based on the class of service as well your MileagePlus Premier® status. 70 lbs.

United Airlines overweight baggage fee

If your bag exceeds 50 pounds but is less than 70 pounds, you may have to pay up to $200 per bag. If your bag weighs more than 70 pounds but less than 100 pounds, you may have to pay up to $400 per bag (depending on your destination).

United Airlines (UA) will charge the following for U S domestic flights for bags that are greater than the standard 50 pounds or 23 kilograms: 51 to 70 pounds or 24 to 32 kilograms: $100.00 USD to $200 USD extra per bag. 71 to 100 pounds or 33 to 46 kilograms: $400.00 USD extra per bag.

During this journey, your bags will be screened at a security checkpoint. This process is much like the one that you can see when you and your hand luggage go through security, where bags are scanned with an X-Ray machine or CT scanner and sometimes are inspected if deemed suspicious or requiring further examination.

The vast majority of checked baggage is screened without being opened for a physical bag search. Approximately, 1 in 10 bags are opened and physically inspected. You will know that this has been done because TSA will place a notice of baggage inspection inside your bag.

If your luggage does not fit in the sizer, you might have to pay a checked bag fee along with the gate checking fee and have your bag transferred to the airplane's cargo. Checked luggage is usually measured with a tape measure, to make sure that it's below 62 linear inches (height + width + depth).

Overweight passengers should avoid United Airlines. What is this? In Economy Class, the vast majority of the airline's fleet offers seats no wider than approximately 17 inches.

United Airlines Personal Item Dimensions

Personal items such as backpacks, laptop bags, and purses are allowed on United flights, as long as they can be safely stowed under the seat in front of you. Before your flight, check to see if your personal item meets United Airlines' under-seat dimensions.

Excess weight over and above the allowed free hand baggage allowance of 12 kg will be charged as given below . In case the hand baggage weighs more than 12 kg, the same will not be allowed in the cabin and has to be checked in as registered baggage.

What happens if you go over the weight limit for a checked bag?

If your suitcase is over the limit set by your airline company, you'll need to pay an additional fee for your overweight suitcase. Another option you can do is to remove some things from your suitcase to reduce the weight. Most airlines won't accept suitcases over 100 lbs (45 kgs).

When your baggage exceeds the permitted dimensions and weight, you will be charged an additional "overweight" and "oversized" fee for carriage. This charge will apply to all pieces of baggage that are over the standard dimensions, taking into account the weight and dimensions that your checked baggage must have.

Overweight and oversize baggage fees

The United baggage overweight and oversize fees are as follows: Overweight fee: Starts at $100 per bag for 51 to 70 pounds and starts at $200 per bag for 70 to 100 pounds. Oversize fee: Starts at $200 per bag for 63 to 80 inches, including wheels and handles.

The short answer: Yes, a backpack is generally considered a personal item if it fits under the seat in front of you. Most airlines offer a few examples of things that fit into the “personal item” category, such as a purse, laptop bag, or a briefcase, but they don't usually include “backpack” on those lists.

Most travelers can bring on board one full-size carry-on bag and one personal item for free.

The TSA uses x-ray machines to screen carry-on items and checked luggage. TSA x-ray equipment must meet the FDA requirements (see below) to limit passenger and worker exposure to radiation.

The majority of checked baggage is screened without the need for a physical bag search. Inspection Notices: TSA may inspect your checked baggage during the screening process. If your property is physically inspected, TSA will place a notice of baggage inspection inside your bag.

Can you see a tampon during an airport body scan? This is a frequently asked question on Google, and if it's something you're worried about, you can breathe a sigh of relief. Airport body scanners can't see inside the body and therefore can't detect a tampon on a TSA female body scan image.

Technically, airport security scanners do not detect drugs but they can provide visual clues of drugs hidden under the clothes and in baggage. Even if the scanners cannot determine the exact composition, they can tell if an object is organic or metallic or how low or high density an object have.

How Strict Are Airlines With Carry On Size? We've found that most airlines aren't too strict about the exact size of carry on luggage. In over 12 years we've never had our bags measured, although our luggage has been a little over the size restrictions of some airlines such as Ryanair.

What happens if carry-on doesn't fit?

If your carry-on is too large, you won't be able to bring it with you on the plane and will instead have to pay to check it at the gate. But even if it's not too big, know there's always a chance your carry-on bag will need to be gate-checked (free of charge) due to limited storage in the overhead bin.

Carry-on bags shouldn't be larger than 22 inches long, 14 inches wide and 9 inches high including handles and wheels. Dimensions of personal items should not exceed 18 inches long, 14 inches wide and 8 inches high. There are no weight restrictions for carry-on luggage.

FAT ISSUES IN THE AIR

There is no legal weight limit for passengers on U.S. commercial flights but some airlines such as Southwest ask customers who cannot fit into one seat to book two. It says if a passenger cannot lower the armrests on one set they must buy another - whatever they weigh.

A size 22 won't have difficulty fitting in a airline seat, and doing up the seat belt. Don't worry.

United has two types of economy fares: economy and basic economy. Basic economy provides a lower-priced fare but may place restrictions on seat assignment, boarding, carry-on baggage, upgrades, changes, refunds, elite earning and elite benefits.

United Airlines

Passengers can only travel with one personal item that fits under the seat, measuring 9 by 10 by 17 inches. That means if you brought a backpack on board, it would be your one and only item allowed.

The short answer is yes. A duffle bag can count as a personal item. However, a duffle bag isn't the most common type of personal item. Briefcases, handbags, and small backpacks are more popular formats for personal items.

Some personal items are exempted

In a letter to the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), the CISF's IG for airports has written that as per rules framed by the former, “no passenger should be permitted to carry more than one hand bag.

That means that if your checked bag weighs more than 50 pounds, your airline will charge you a set fee on top of their standard baggage rate. Most airlines also have a weight limit, usually 70-80 pounds, after which they don't accept bags, even for an extra fee.

Can you be slightly over baggage allowance?

And unfortunately, going over your luggage allowance could lead to a hefty baggage charge. Every airline has a different baggage allowance too, which complicates things further. Here's what you need to know about baggage allowance, and some tips so you don't go over your baggage weight.

It is rare for airlines to weigh your carry on or hand luggage. So long as your bag is not clearly overweight, and you're able to carry it with ease – you shouldn't have any issues with a slightly overweight bag.

That's because the ultra-low-cost carrier is tweaking its definition of an overweight bag, as first reported by the USA Today. Beginning on March 1, 2022, checked bags will be capped at 40 pounds each, and those that weigh between 41 and 50 pounds will be charged an additional $50 per bag, per direction.

When packing, make sure the heaviest items such as shoes or toiletry bags are closest to the bottom of the suitcase, by the wheels. This will also stop the case from toppling over.

Most airlines recommend that if you think you will be too large for your seat, you should purchase a second seat at the time you make your original booking (or, of course, buy a ticket in first or business class).

United Flights from Central Illinois Regional Airport - Starting at $505 | Travelocity.

Are checked bags free on United? Checked bags are free for business and first class passengers across all destinations. Economy passengers to Europe and other long-haul destinations receive 1 to 2 checked bags for free. Check United's baggage calculator to check the allowance for your route.

Yes, you can pack clothes in your personal item. We recommend packing most of your clothes in your carry on and reserving the space in your personal item for an extra layer to stay warm.

Can I bring a duffel bag and a backpack as a carry-on?

One can carry a duffel bag as a carry-on and as a backpack. They are ideal as gym bags, sports bags, carry-on luggage on the plane.

According to airline policy, any personal items to be stowed beneath seats should not exceed 18 inches by 14 inches by 8 inches.

We can't accept bags weighing more than 100 pounds (45 kilograms). However, musical instruments and assistive devices are exceptions. We'll accept musical instruments up to 165 pounds (75 kilograms) and all assistive devices. We only accept extra bags if there's space available on the aircraft.

United offers free checked bags for all business and first-class customers, regardless of final destination. Economy customers flying to Europe or other long-distance destinations receive one free checked bag. Complimentary checked bags are not included for customers flying with Economy Basic fare.

One free checked bag when traveling within the continental U.S. or to Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America. Two free checked bags when traveling between the U.S. and South America, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Most airlines will allow you to check one bag and have one carry-on bag. There is normally a maximum weight limit of 50 pounds per checked bag as well as a size restriction. The most common maximum size bag allowed is 62 linear (total) inches. A common size bag for checking through is: 27" x 21" x 14".

Personal items must fit under the seat in front of you. Common items include backpacks, laptop bags, and purses. These bags can be no larger than 9 x 10 x 17 inches (22 x 25 x 43 cm). Like carry-on bags, personal items do not have to meet a weight requirement.

The standard checked bag feature will grant travelers one standard checked bag at 50 lbs. (23 kg) added to their allowance for the associated trip, including any baggage benefits from MileagePlus Premier^® status, a checked baggage subscription or purchasing a ticket with certain credit cards.

Backpacks can be used as checked-in luggage, but you need to check with the airlines what size is allowed. You also need to be careful when packing it, making sure you secure all straps and even wrapping it with plastic.

Can I get away with a backpack as a personal item?

The short answer: Yes, a backpack is generally considered a personal item if it fits under the seat in front of you. Most airlines offer a few examples of things that fit into the “personal item” category, such as a purse, laptop bag, or a briefcase, but they don't usually include “backpack” on those lists.

United Airlines Personal Item Dimensions

Personal items such as backpacks, laptop bags, and purses are allowed on United flights, as long as they can be safely stowed under the seat in front of you. Before your flight, check to see if your personal item meets United Airlines' under-seat dimensions.

They have a sizer at every gate for carryons and personal items, and if the gate agent thinks your bag looks too big they will ask you to put it in the sizer to confirm that it complies with the requirements. So it is random, but if you take your chances and lose, they will take away your bag and gate-check it.

United Airlines

United's basic economy fare is among the most restricted fare types out there. Passengers can only travel with one personal item that fits under the seat, measuring 9 by 10 by 17 inches. That means if you brought a backpack on board, it would be your one and only item allowed.

Most airlines allow passengers to bring on both a carry-on and a personal item like a backpack, laptop bag, purse, briefcase, shopping bag, etc. The general rule of thumb is that your personal item is smaller in dimension than your carry-on bag and it can fit underneath the seat in front of you.

If you're traveling on a Basic Economy ticket, you can only bring one personal item on board. There are some exceptions, which we list below. If you bring a full-size carry-on bag to the gate, you'll need to check your bag. You'll also have to pay the applicable checked bag fee and a $25 gate handling charge.

Keep in mind that upgrading to Economy Plus will only net you more legroom, guaranteed in-seat power access and a seat closer to the front of the plane; it will not get you an additional baggage allowance.