SK vs UA · 2026 comparison
SAS vs United
SAS wins on a bigger carry-on; 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
SAS
SKWins 1 category
- A bigger carry-on
United
UAWins 2 categories
- A more generous carry-on weight limit
- A bigger personal item
Quick verdict
SAS wins on a bigger carry-on; 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
- SAS: 55 × 40 × 23 cm · United: 22 × 14 × 9 in
- Carry-on on the cheapest fare
- SAS: Not on some basic fares · United: Not on some basic fares
Side by side
| SAS | United | |
|---|---|---|
| Bags | ||
| Carry-on size | 55 × 40 × 23 cm | 22 × 14 × 9 in |
| Carry-on on the cheapest fare | Not on some basic fares | Not on some basic fares |
| Carry-on weight limit | 8 kg (17.6 lb) | None published |
| Personal item | 40 × 30 × 15 cm | 17 × 10 × 9 in |
| Network | ||
| Alliance | SkyTeam | Star Alliance |
| Loyalty program | EuroBonus | MileagePlus |
| Main hubs | CPH, OSL, ARN | 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
SAS allows a carry-on up to 55 × 40 × 23 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in), and United up to 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm), so SAS's is roomier.
SAS's Light can be personal-item only, while United's Basic Economy can be personal-item only.
SAS caps carry-ons at 8 kg (17.6 lb); United publishes no limit.
Personal items: 40 × 30 × 15 cm (15.7 × 11.8 × 5.9 in) on SAS, and 17 × 10 × 9 in (43 × 25 × 23 cm) on United.
Basic economy
SAS (Light): Light fares on domestic and European flights include only a personal item; Standard and higher fares, and long-haul fares, include the 8 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
SAS is in SkyTeam and United is in Star Alliance.
Loyalty programs: EuroBonus (SAS) and MileagePlus (United).
SAS's main hubs are CPH, OSL, ARN. 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 SAS if you want…
- a bigger carry-on
- to earn and use SkyTeam miles and status
- nonstops from CPH, OSL, ARN
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.
SAS vs United FAQ
It depends on what matters most to you. SAS wins on a bigger carry-on; 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.
- SAS Scandinavian Airlines 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.
Deals on SAS, United and more
Whichever airline you prefer, we'll email you when fares from your home airports drop well below normal.
Free plan available · 14-day free Premium+ trial · Cancel anytime