2026 carry-on & personal item rules
United Airlines carry-on size
United Airlines's carry-on baggage size limit is 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm), with no published weight limit. Included on Economy and above. Basic Economy allows only a personal item on most U.S. and short-haul flights.
Verified Oct 17, 2026By Steven MoHow we check Report a correction
56 × 36 × 23 cm
You must be able to lift it into the bin
43 × 25 × 23 cm
Basic Economy can be personal-item only
Quick answer
United Airlines allows a carry-on up to 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm), plus a personal item up to 17 × 10 × 9 in. Basic Economy can be personal-item only, so check your fare.
- Carry-on
- 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm)
- Weight limit
- None published
- Personal item
- 17 × 10 × 9 in (43 × 25 × 23 cm)
- Cheapest fare
- Not on some basic fares
- Standard 22 × 14 × 9 in bag
- Fits
- Checked bag
- Canada, Mexico, Central America and Caribbean flights, the first checked bag on United costs $45 if you pay online ($50 at the airport) and the second $55.
United bag sizes, drawn to scale
Will my bag fit on United?
Measure your packed bag, including wheels and handles.
Fits, but some basic fares don't include it
Limit: 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm)
5 in too long, 4 in too wide
Limit: 17 × 10 × 9 in (43 × 25 × 23 cm)
Will my bag fit as a personal item on United?
Typical sizes of everyday bags, checked against United's 17 × 10 × 9 in personal item limit. Measure your own bag, or use the checker above.
- Small backpack or daypack16 × 12 × 6 inToo big: 2 in too wide
- Under-seat rolling bag16 × 13 × 8 inToo big: 3 in too wide
- Laptop backpack18 × 12 × 8 inToo big: 1 in too long, 2 in too wide
- Large tote18 × 14 × 6 inToo big: 1 in too long, 4 in too wide
- Weekender duffel20 × 11 × 10 inToo big: 3 in too long, 1 in too wide, 1 in too deep
United carry-on rules by fare
Basic Economy
Basic Economy includes only a personal item on most U.S. and short-haul flights. A full-size carry-on is allowed on transatlantic, transpacific and South America routes, and for MileagePlus Premier members and eligible United cardmembers. Everything United Basic Economy includes
Higher fares
Standard and premium fares include a carry-on and a personal item.
Checked bags
On U.S., Canada, Mexico, Central America and Caribbean flights, the first checked bag on United costs $45 if you pay online ($50 at the airport) and the second $55. All United bag fees
Tips for flying United
- •Measure your packed bag, wheels and handles included; many suitcases sold as "22-inch" are taller with the wheels.
- •United's personal item limit is on the small side, so a typical laptop backpack may be too deep.
- •Check your fare before you pack: Basic Economy can be personal-item only.
How United compares
Carry-on rules at other U.S. airlines.
| Airline | Carry-on | Weight | Personal item | Carry-on on cheapest fare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Airlines | 22 × 14 × 9 in56 × 36 × 23 cm | — | 17 × 10 × 9 in | Not on some basic fares |
| American Airlines | 22 × 14 × 9 in56 × 36 × 23 cm | — | 18 × 14 × 8 in | Included |
| Delta Air Lines | 22 × 14 × 9 in56 × 36 × 23 cm | — | Must fit under seat | Included |
| Southwest Airlines | 24 × 16 × 10 in61 × 41 × 25 cm | — | 16.25 × 13.5 × 8 in | Included |
| Alaska Airlines | 22 × 14 × 9 in56 × 36 × 23 cm | — | Must fit under seat | Included |
| JetBlue | 22 × 14 × 9 in56 × 36 × 23 cm | — | 17 × 13 × 8 in | Included |
| Hawaiian Airlines | 22 × 14 × 9 in56 × 36 × 23 cm | 25 lb | Must fit under seat | Included |
| Frontier Airlines | 24 × 16 × 10 in61 × 41 × 25 cm | 35 lb | 18 × 14 × 8 in | Costs extra |
| Allegiant Air | 22 × 16 × 10 in56 × 41 × 25 cm | — | 7 × 15 × 16 in | Costs extra |
| Sun Country Airlines | 24 × 16 × 11 in61 × 41 × 28 cm | 35 lb | 17 × 13 × 9 in | Costs extra |
| Breeze Airways | 22 × 14 × 9 in56 × 36 × 23 cm | 35 lb | 17 × 13 × 8 in | Costs extra |
| Avelo Airlines | 22 × 14 × 9 in56 × 36 × 23 cm | — | 17 × 13 × 9 in | Costs extra |
- United Airlines
- Carry-on
- 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm)
- Weight
- —
- Personal item
- 17 × 10 × 9 in
- Cheapest fare
- Not on some basic fares
- American Airlines
- Carry-on
- 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm)
- Weight
- —
- Personal item
- 18 × 14 × 8 in
- Cheapest fare
- Included
- Delta Air Lines
- Carry-on
- 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm)
- Weight
- —
- Personal item
- Must fit under seat
- Cheapest fare
- Included
- Southwest Airlines
- Carry-on
- 24 × 16 × 10 in (61 × 41 × 25 cm)
- Weight
- —
- Personal item
- 16.25 × 13.5 × 8 in
- Cheapest fare
- Included
- Alaska Airlines
- Carry-on
- 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm)
- Weight
- —
- Personal item
- Must fit under seat
- Cheapest fare
- Included
- JetBlue
- Carry-on
- 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm)
- Weight
- —
- Personal item
- 17 × 13 × 8 in
- Cheapest fare
- Included
- Hawaiian Airlines
- Carry-on
- 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm)
- Weight
- 25 lb
- Personal item
- Must fit under seat
- Cheapest fare
- Included
- Frontier Airlines
- Carry-on
- 24 × 16 × 10 in (61 × 41 × 25 cm)
- Weight
- 35 lb
- Personal item
- 18 × 14 × 8 in
- Cheapest fare
- Costs extra
- Allegiant Air
- Carry-on
- 22 × 16 × 10 in (56 × 41 × 25 cm)
- Weight
- —
- Personal item
- 7 × 15 × 16 in
- Cheapest fare
- Costs extra
- Sun Country Airlines
- Carry-on
- 24 × 16 × 11 in (61 × 41 × 28 cm)
- Weight
- 35 lb
- Personal item
- 17 × 13 × 9 in
- Cheapest fare
- Costs extra
- Breeze Airways
- Carry-on
- 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm)
- Weight
- 35 lb
- Personal item
- 17 × 13 × 8 in
- Cheapest fare
- Costs extra
- Avelo Airlines
- Carry-on
- 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm)
- Weight
- —
- Personal item
- 17 × 13 × 9 in
- Cheapest fare
- Costs extra
Head-to-head comparisons
United carry-on FAQ
United Airlines allows a carry-on up to 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm), including wheels and handles. Included on Economy and above. Basic Economy allows only a personal item on most U.S. and short-haul flights.
Connecting on United
How long a layover you need at its hubs.
Airports United flies from
Airport guides for the airports we cover: getting into town, terminals, lounges and parking.
Sources
Last verified Oct 17, 2026. Airlines change their rules without notice, so confirm with the airline before you fly.
- United Airlines official baggage policy
- CNBC: United raises checked bag fees by $10 (Apr 2, 2026)
- Upgraded Points: carry-on size chart for 63 airlines (updated May 16, 2026)
- U.S. DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics: 2025 on-time performance by operating carrier (via AviationDB)
- Your Mileage May Vary: where every major U.S. airline stands on Wi-Fi (Oct 13, 2026)
- Simple Flying: how U.S. airline economy seat pitch compares in 2026
Read how we collect and check this data, or tell us if something's out of date.
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