UA / UALinternationalStar Alliance

United Airlines

Loyalty Program: MileagePlus

Last verified: 1 Mar 2026

United Airlines is one of the largest legacy network carriers in the United States and a founding member of Star Alliance. Headquartered in Chicago, United operates primary global connecting hubs at Chicago O'Hare (ORD), Denver (DEN), Houston Intercontinental (IAH), Newark (EWR), San Francisco (SFO), Washington Dulles (IAD), and Los Angeles (LAX). The airline is currently undertaking its 'United NEXT' fleet overhaul, retrofitting narrowbody aircraft with seatback screens, larger overhead bins, and high-speed satellite connectivity.

Change Log (1)Baggage & Tariffs In-Flight & Wi-Fi Passenger Rights

Verified Data BenchmarkAudited Tariff

United Airlines Baggage Fee & Allowance Benchmark 2026

Verified directly against United Airlines's official Contract of Carriage and customer service tariff filings.

Official Tariff Document

Airline	Carry-On Bag	1st Checked Bag	2nd Checked Bag	Weight Limit	Waiver with Card / Status
UAUnited Airlines	Free (Standard Economy) / Excluded in Basic Basic Economy passengers may only bring 1 personal item unless flying transatlantic. 1 Mar 2026Source	$40 ($35 prepaid) Save $5 if prepaid online at least 24 hours prior to departure. 1 Mar 2026Source	$50 ($45 prepaid) 1 Mar 2026Source	50 lbs (70 lbs in Polaris/First) 1 Mar 2026Source	Yes (Premier Silver+ & Chase United Explorer Cardholders) 1 Mar 2026Source

* Every individual cell is dated and audited directly against official United Airlines contract of carriage tariffs. Pinned airline column ensures clean layout across desktop and mobile devices.

Audited Chronological Feed

Verified United Airlines Policy & Tariff Changes

Filter Changes

Fees & Baggage

Notable Change

United Raises Standard Checked Bag Fee to $40 for Domestic Economy

Announced: 15 Feb 2026•Effective: 24 Feb 2026

United Airlines increased the cost of checking a first standard bag on domestic flights to $40 at the airport ($35 if prepaid online at least 24 hours prior to departure).

What this means for your trip

If you are flying domestic United in Main Cabin without status or a co-branded card, pay for your checked bag online during check-in rather than at the airport kiosk to save $5 each way ($10 round-trip). Premier Silver members and United Explorer cardholders continue to receive their first checked bag free.

Source: United Airlines Customer Support Tariff

By David Chen•Verified

Key US & Flagship Routes

SFO → LHR10h 25m

San Francisco to London

Aircraft: Boeing 777-300ER

Active Fleet Inventory

Boeing 787-9 DreamlinerFlagship long-haul transpacific & European routes

38 frames

Boeing 777-300ERHigh-density long-haul with 60 Polaris business suites

22 frames

Boeing 737 MAX 8/9Mainstay domestic narrowbody fleet

160 frames

Airbus A321neoUnited NEXT interior with 4K seatback screens & Bluetooth

35 frames

Major Hub Operations

ChicagoORD

Major dual-hub for United (Terminals 1 & 2) and American (Terminal 3). International arrivals utilize Terminal 5, connected by the ATS train.

DenverDEN

Jeppesen Terminal connects via underground train to Concourses A, B (United megahub), and C (Southwest hub).

San FranciscoSFO

United primary Pacific gateway (Terminal 3 & International Concourse G). Harvey Milk Terminal 1 connects post-security to all terminals.

Los AngelesLAX

Delta hub (Terminals 2 & 3 with direct airside connector to Tom Bradley International Terminal B). United hub in Terminal 7/8.