Fly with United Airlines

United Airlines is a major American airline based in Chicago, IL, with its main hub at Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD). United Airlines provides a huge number of services within the US and around the world. The major United Airlines hub cities are Chicago, Houston, Denver, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Newark, Washington-Dulles, and Guam, which is the hub for operating their vast Pacific flight network that includes routes to Japan (Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, and Fukuoka), New Zealand (Auckland), Australia (Sydney and Melbourne), Taiwan (Taipei), the Philippines (Manila), and numerous South Pacific Islands. United Airlines have a fleet of 790 aircraft in operation, predominantly Boeing 767s, 777s and 787s, with a large number of Airbus narrowbody jets, such as the A320.

Although its public opinion has suffered from a few unfortunate, highly publicized incidents in recent years, United Airlines are widely regarded as a good and very safe airline by American and international standards, including a perfect 7/7 safety score on Airline Ratings. In total, United Airlines serve around 200 routes across 74 countries, covering 111 international destinations and 78 domestic destinations. They fly approximately 150 million passengers per year.

MileagePlus, whose rewards can be used for any United Airlines or United Express flight as well as with a number of partner airlines, is the United Airlines’ frequent flyer program. United Airlines is part of the international Star Alliance, so MileagePlus rewards can be redeemed through associated airlines. There are four levels of MileagePlus Premier status, with increasing benefits including priority for upgrades and lounge access. There are 45 official United Airlines lounges, United Clubs, across North America, South America, Asia and Europe. United passengers may also use affiliated Star Alliance airline lounges.

United Airlines Travel Experience

United Airlines offer a wide range of ticket types and cabin classes, including multiple options for Economy, Business, and First Class levels. United First (domestic) and United Business (international) cabin classes have seats with a 38-inch pitch, or fully lie-flat beds on Boeing 777-200 flights. Economy Plus seats are located in the front few rows or emergency rows of all United flights, offering at least 2 inches (5.1cm) more recline and 5-6 inches (13-15cm) more pitch than Standard Economy, where seats usually have a pitch of 30-32 inches (76-81cm) and a recline of 2-5 inches (5-12.7cm).

Complimentary meals are available on all international flights outside North and Central America, and available for purchase along with drinks and snacks on domestic flights, Caribbean, and Latin American flights. All Economy, Business and First Class seats include some form of personal entertainment device, and WiFi is available on a large number of United flights. Bassinets, changing tables, and complimentary strollers are available on some international flights.

United Airlines Check-in & Baggage

Online check-in is available from 24 hours until 1 hour before the scheduled departure time. Check-in at the airport counter or kiosk opens 2-3 hours before departure. Passengers who are checking in baggage should arrive at the airport at least 60 minutes before departure time for domestic flights, and 2 hours before departure time for most international flights. Passengers who are not checking in baggage should arrive at the airport at least 45 minutes before departure for domestic flights, and 90 minutes for most international flights (arrive earlier for flights to Micronesia and the Marshall Islands).

Baggage Information

Allowed Luggage per cabin in United Airlines

Economy Class

United Airlines passengers are allowed to carry one bag and one personal item (such as a purse or a laptop case) on board with them. There are no weight limits for carry-on luggage. Economy Class passengers may check in bags weighing no more than 50 lbs (23 kg) each.

Business and First Class

Carry-on baggage rules are the same for all cabin classes but, depending on the particular ticket type or loyalty member status, Business and First Class passengers may check in up to three items of baggage, with each bag weighing up to 70 lbs (32 kg).

Allowed Luggage Size Dimensions

For all ticket types, carry-on bags must not exceed dimensions of 9 inches x 14 inches x 22 inches (22cm x 35cm x 56cm), including wheels and handles. There are no weight limits for carry-on baggage.

All items of checked luggage must not exceed combined height + width + length dimensions of 62 inches (158cm). Each bag must weigh no more than 50 lbs (23 kg).

Read more about the check-in procedure and baggage >>

Additional Information

Fees will apply for any overweight, oversized, and extra luggage. Lap children who do not occupy a seat are not given a baggage allowance, but those traveling on child tickets are.