Last Updated on January 1, 2024 by Henry @ The Getaway Lounge
This post is reviewed on a regular basis to ensure a high level of accuracy.
Just how strict is United with carry on size and weight?
It’s a question many passengers ask themselves before boarding their flight, so we did a little research.
Before diving in however, let’s quickly go over the current rules.
We’ll then answer some frequently asked questions along with our own experience, and also recommend this Maximum Allowance Suitcase on Amazon.
If your ticket type is Basic Economy, you’ll only be permitted to take one personal item with you.
If you do bring a full-size carry-on bag to the gate, you’ll need to check your bag in and also pay a $25 gate handling fee.
With that said, there are a few exceptions to this rule, and if any of these apply to you, you can follow their main carry on rules:
For more information regarding these exceptions please see this page.
For those with other ticket types, you’ll be allowed to bring on board a main carry on as long as it does not exceed the following dimensions:
22 x 14 x 9 inches (56 x 35 x 22 cm).
This includes any wheels and or handles.
In addition to your main carry on, each passenger may take a smaller item on board which must fit within the following dimensions: 9 x 10 x 17 inches (22 x 25 x 43 cm).
With that said, it is rare for airlines to investigate the size of your personal item, as long as it’s easily carried and stowed underneath the seat in front of you.
Generally speaking, you can take all your toiletries through security as long as each bottle contains no more than 100ml / 3.4 fl. oz.
They must fit comfortably into one see-through, re-sealable bag no larger than 20 x 20cm / 7.8 x 7.8in.
For more details on restrictions and exceptions including liquids like baby formula and medicine, please see this page.
In addition to your one carry-on bag / personal item, you can bring other items such as jackets, umbrella, books, food, cameras, etc.
Anything that would not be deemed as “luggage”, should be ok.
Similarly to Delta Airlines, United do not enforce any weight restrictions with your carry on or personal item.
This therefore gives you one less worry, meaning you only need to focus on the dimensions of your bags.
When it comes to carry on size, United are fairly strict.
Plus, they will be checking more thoroughly than other airlines given that Basic Economy ticket holders are only permitted to take one personal item.
And given that their aircraft is often tight for space, this is where you could quite easily be caught out.
And if the plane does get busy, they will most likely enforce their rules more stringently.
This also ensures that those who do stick to the rules are given priority.
So, for peace of mind we recommend this Maximum Allowance Suitcase currently available on Amazon.
Absolutely not.
Certainly not if your main bag is that of a suitcase, or a hard shell.
Besides, if United decide to undergo a quick spot check at the gate, you wouldn’t be able to squeeze it into the steel cage should you be required to!
With that said, you might get away with it using a soft-edged bag like a backpack for instance, as you’ll be able to pad it down and potentially squeeze it into the sizer.
But even then, it’s a risk and you might still have to pay extra.
If you decide to take a risk and get caught out, your bags will have to be checked in and a significant penalty may apply.
In many cases, it would cost you less to invest in a compliant bag!
If you’d like to find out more information relevant to your route and fare type, please see this page on United’s website.
This Maximum Allowance Suitcase is great value for money and is the perfect fit for United’s carry on limits.
Other features include:
They are stricter than most, and there’s a good chance your bag will be checked for size.
Therefore, we recommend taking precautions and investing in a fully compliant bag.
With that said – if you’re going to risk it with United we recommend using a soft-sided bag, to give you a bit more leeway with the sizer.
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