CX vs UA · 2026 comparison
Cathay vs United
Cathay wins on a carry-on on its cheapest fare; United wins on a more generous carry-on weight limit and a bigger personal item. Here's how they compare on bags, fees, comfort, reliability and loyalty.
Verified Oct 17, 2026By Steven MoHow we check Report a correction
Cathay
CXWins 1 category
- A carry-on on its cheapest fare
United
UAWins 2 categories
- A more generous carry-on weight limit
- A bigger personal item
Quick verdict
Cathay wins on a carry-on on its cheapest fare; United wins on a more generous carry-on weight limit and a bigger personal item. Check the cheapest fare's bag rules before you compare prices.
- Carry-on size
- Cathay: 56 × 36 × 23 cm · United: 22 × 14 × 9 in
- Carry-on on the cheapest fare
- Cathay: Included on every fare · United: Not on some basic fares
- First checked bag (regular economy)
- Cathay: 2 free bags · United: $45
Side by side
| Cathay | United | |
|---|---|---|
| Bags | ||
| Carry-on size | 56 × 36 × 23 cm | 22 × 14 × 9 in |
| Carry-on on the cheapest fare | Included on every fare | Not on some basic fares |
| Carry-on weight limit | 7 kg (15.4 lb) | None published |
| Personal item | 40 × 30 × 15 cm | 17 × 10 × 9 in |
| First checked bag (regular economy) | 2 free bags | $45 |
| Network | ||
| Alliance | oneworld | Star Alliance |
| Loyalty program | Cathay (Asia Miles) | MileagePlus |
| Main hubs | HKG | ORD, DEN, IAH, EWR, SFO |
Highlighted values are better for travelers. Fees are for U.S. domestic economy flights; on-time data is 2025 U.S. DOT figures for each airline's own flights.
Bags and fees
Cathay allows a carry-on up to 56 × 36 × 23 cm (22 × 14.2 × 9.1 in), and United up to 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm).
Cathay includes it on every fare, while United's Basic Economy can be personal-item only.
Cathay caps carry-ons at 7 kg (15.4 lb); United publishes no limit.
Personal items: 40 × 30 × 15 cm (15.7 × 11.8 × 5.9 in) on Cathay, and 17 × 10 × 9 in (43 × 25 × 23 cm) on United.
Cathay includes two bags with Economy Essential on flights between the U.S. and Hong Kong, and a first checked bag on United costs $45 on U.S., Canada, Mexico, Central America and Caribbean flights.
Basic economy
Cathay (Economy Light): Every Economy fare includes the 7 kg carry-on.
United (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.
Loyalty and where they fly
Cathay is in oneworld and United is in Star Alliance.
Loyalty programs: Cathay (Asia Miles) (Cathay) and MileagePlus (United).
Cathay's main hubs are Hong Kong (HKG). United's are Chicago (ORD), Denver (DEN), Houston (IAH), Newark (EWR), San Francisco (SFO). The best choice often comes down to which airline flies nonstop from your airport.
Which should you book?
Choose Cathay if you want…
- a carry-on on its cheapest fare
- to earn and use oneworld miles and status
- nonstops from HKG
Choose United if you want…
- a more generous carry-on weight limit
- a bigger personal item
- to earn and use Star Alliance miles and status
- nonstops from ORD, DEN, IAH
On a route both fly, the cheaper ticket isn't always the cheaper trip: add the bags you'll actually bring, and check the fare rules before you book.
Cathay vs United FAQ
It depends on what matters most to you. Cathay wins on a carry-on on its cheapest fare; United wins on a more generous carry-on weight limit and a bigger personal item. If they fly the same route, compare the total price with bags included.
Keep comparing
Bag rules and fees
Other comparisons
Connecting at their hubs
Sources
Last verified Oct 17, 2026. Airlines change their rules without notice, so confirm with the airline before you fly.
- Cathay Pacific official baggage policy
- Upgraded Points: carry-on size chart for 63 airlines (updated May 16, 2026)
- United Airlines official baggage policy
- CNBC: United raises checked bag fees by $10 (Apr 2, 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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