QF vs UA · 2026 comparison
Qantas vs United
Qantas wins on a carry-on on its cheapest fare; United wins on a more generous carry-on weight limit. Here's how they compare on bags, fees, comfort, reliability and loyalty.
Verified Oct 17, 2026By Steven MoHow we check Report a correction
Qantas
QFWins 1 category
- A carry-on on its cheapest fare
United
UAWins 1 category
- A more generous carry-on weight limit
Quick verdict
Qantas wins on a carry-on on its cheapest fare; United wins on a more generous carry-on weight limit. Check the cheapest fare's bag rules before you compare prices.
- Carry-on size
- Qantas: 56 × 36 × 23 cm · United: 22 × 14 × 9 in
- Carry-on on the cheapest fare
- Qantas: Included on every fare · United: Not on some basic fares
- First checked bag (regular economy)
- Qantas: 1 free bag · United: $45
Side by side
| Qantas | 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 | Must fit under the seat | 17 × 10 × 9 in |
| First checked bag (regular economy) | 1 free bag | $45 |
| Network | ||
| Alliance | oneworld | Star Alliance |
| Loyalty program | Qantas Frequent Flyer | MileagePlus |
| Main hubs | SYD, MEL | 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
Qantas 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).
Qantas includes it on every fare, while United's Basic Economy can be personal-item only.
Qantas caps carry-ons at 7 kg (15.4 lb); United publishes no limit.
Personal items: anything that fits under the seat on Qantas, and 17 × 10 × 9 in (43 × 25 × 23 cm) on United.
Qantas includes one bag with Economy on flights between the U.S. and Australia, and a first checked bag on United costs $45 on U.S., Canada, Mexico, Central America and Caribbean flights.
Basic economy
Qantas (Economy): 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
Qantas is in oneworld and United is in Star Alliance.
Loyalty programs: Qantas Frequent Flyer (Qantas) and MileagePlus (United).
Qantas's main hubs are Sydney (SYD), Melbourne (MEL). 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 Qantas if you want…
- a carry-on on its cheapest fare
- to earn and use oneworld miles and status
- nonstops from SYD, MEL
Choose United if you want…
- a more generous carry-on weight limit
- 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.
Qantas vs United FAQ
It depends on what matters most to you. Qantas wins on a carry-on on its cheapest fare; United wins on a more generous carry-on weight limit. 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.
- Qantas 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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