United Airlines carry-on size and personal item rules
- North America
- Full-service
- Star Alliance
- Verified 28 September 2026
United Airlines (UA) allows one cabin bag of 9 × 14 × 22 in (22.9 × 35.6 × 55.9 cm) on its All fares except Basic Economy fare, plus a personal item of 9 × 10 × 17 in (22.9 × 25.4 × 43.2 cm). United Airlines counts wheels and handles in this size. Verified on 28 September 2026 from the official United Airlines baggage page.
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United Airlines carry-on allowance by fare
| Fare | Route / class | Personal item | Cabin bag | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All fares except Basic Economy(standard) | All routes · All classes | 9×10×17 in | 9×14×22 in | Not published |
| Basic Economy | All routes · Economy | 9×10×17 in | Not included | Not published |
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What to know about United Airlines carry-on rules
- United Airlines is based in United States with hubs at EWR, ORD, DEN, IAH, LAX, GUM, SFO and IAD, and its main markets include Mexico, Canada, United Kingdom and Japan.
- Among the 8 verified airlines from North America, United Airlines has the 4th largest cabin bag allowance; the strictest is American Airlines (22×14×9 in).
- In volume terms the United Airlines cabin bag reaches about 45.4 L; 47 of the 60 airlines with published sides allow a bigger box.
- With a total size of 114.3 cm (45 in), the United Airlines cabin bag is larger than 5% of the 66 verified airlines that include a measured cabin bag in their standard fare (rank 58 of 66, largest first).
- The average cabin bag of the 8 verified carriers from North America adds up to 116.8 cm (46 in); United Airlines' limit is 2.5 cm (1 in) less than that.
- United Airlines is 17th of 17 Star Alliance members by total cabin bag size (TAP Air Portugal is the most generous, United Airlines the strictest).
- Tested against United Airlines' 9×14×22 in limit, a standard US carry-on of 22 × 14 × 9 in (55.9 × 35.6 × 22.9 cm) fits exactly at the limit on the length.
- On United Airlines, a typical European cabin case of 55 × 40 × 20 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 7.9 in) is 4.4 cm (1.7 in) too big on the width (limit: 9×14×22 in).
- United Airlines publishes 2 different allowances: 1 of the 2 include a cabin bag; Basic Economy has no cabin bag at all.
- United Airlines publishes no weight limit for the cabin bag on the standard fare; its official rules give only the 9×14×22 in size.
- United Airlines' official text counts wheels and handles in the 9×14×22 in cabin bag limit.
- Exceptions noted on the official United Airlines page: “You can’t bring a carry-on bag unless you’re flying to South America, across the Atlantic or across the Pacific.” “If you’re flying CommutAir, you’re only allowed one personal item.”
United Airlines carry-on questions
- Does the Basic Economy fare of United Airlines include a cabin bag?
- No. United Airlines' Basic Economy fare has no cabin bag, only a personal item.
- Does United Airlines have a weight limit for carry-on bags?
- United Airlines does not publish a cabin bag weight limit for the standard fare; only the size rule appears on its official page.
- Will a 22 × 14 × 9 in carry-on fit United Airlines' limit?
- Yes: against United Airlines' 9×14×22 in limit, a hard 22 × 14 × 9 in (55.9 × 35.6 × 22.9 cm) case fits exactly at the limit on the length.
- How big can a personal item be on United Airlines?
- United Airlines allows a personal item of 9 × 10 × 17 in (22.9 × 25.4 × 43.2 cm) on the standard fare, stowed under the seat in front.
- Do wheels and handles count in United Airlines' carry-on size?
- Yes. United Airlines' official page says the 9×14×22 in limit includes wheels and handles.
Airlines related to United Airlines
- American Airlines carry-on size — also flies from ORD
- Delta Air Lines carry-on size — also flies from LAX
- Frontier Airlines carry-on size — also flies from DEN
- Air Canada carry-on size — Star Alliance partner
- EVA Air carry-on size — Star Alliance partner
- Air India carry-on size — Star Alliance partner
Official sources
- https://www.united.com/en/us/fly/baggage/carry-on-bags.html — checked on 28 September 2026