Every passenger can have one piece of carry-on luggage. It must fit either beneath the passenger's seat or in the overhead luggage bin and have dimensions no greater than 9-by-14-by-22 inches. Passengers must check any luggage that will not fit
In addition to the carry-on, passengers may bring one personal item such a laptop, purse, or briefcase on board the plane. Personal items that do not count against the personal item are outer garments, one umbrella, a reasonable amount of reading material, devices such as canes and crutches, safety seats for children with tickets, infant seats and food and beverages to be consumed while the passenger is on the plane.
Each piece of checked luggage must have a label or tag on the outside that gives the name of the customer who checks the luggage in. Cut-off times vary for travel within the U.S., Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Canada, depending on the specific departure city.
Also, with a few exceptions that include passengers traveling in United First class or United Business class, there is a fee of $25 for the first checked bag and a fee of $35 for the second checked bag. Additional fees may be imposed for checking in more than two bags, having bags weighing over 50 lbs., exceeding 62 linear inches or having checked bags that are considered "special items," such as bicycles or pets in kennels.
United allows a maximum checked baggage size of 62 linear inches on international flights between North America and Europe. Economy ticket holders on these flights are allowed one free checked bag, with a 50 lbs. weight limit, and pay $50 at the airport for a second bag, or $45 online. Fliers in the Premier, Premier Associate, or Star Alliance programs have a 50 lbs. weight limit on each of two free checked bags. First-class and business-class fliers are allowed two free checked bags with a 70 lbs. limit on each. Global Services, 1K, Premier Executive, and Star Alliance Gold members are allowed three free checked bags with a maximum weight of 70 lbs. per bag.
United will impose an additional fee for checked baggage that is either over-sized, overweight, or in excess of the normal baggage allowance per customer. In addition, items that are uncommonly fragile or bulky will not be accepted into checked baggage but will need to ride in a seat aboard the plane. A flight ticket must be purchased for the item and certain seating requirements must be met.
items restricted from both carry-on and checked baggage include lighters, acid, explosives, poisons, mercury, flammable solids and liquids, briefcases and attache cases that have installed alarm devices, and also other items. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) offers a complete list of items restricted from baggage.
United also has alcoholic beverage restrictions, for checked baggage, and electronic device restrictions, for items brought aboard the flight.
