United Airlines Baggage Allowance Summary
Last verified: 13 June 2026 · Official policy: https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly/travel/baggage.html
| Baggage type | Allowance | Details |
|---|---|---|
| International checked baggage | India ↔ USA (piece concept, DEL–EWR): Basic Economy 0 free (1st bag $90) · Economy 1 × 23 kg free (2nd $240) • Premium Plus 2 × 23 kg • Polaris Business 2 × 32 kg | United degraded India allowances for tickets bought on/after 12 May 2026 (per its own bag-fee calculator for Delhi–Newark): standard Economy includes ONE free 23 kg bag and the second costs USD 240; Basic Economy includes NO free bag — the first costs USD 90. Premium Plus keeps 2 × 23 kg and Polaris Business 2 × 32 kg (max 157 cm). New "base" sub-fares of Premium Plus/Polaris include only 1 free bag. |
| Cabin bag (hand luggage) | 1 carry-on + 1 personal item — no published weight limit; India itineraries keep the carry-on even on Basic Economy | Dimensions: Carry-on max 56 × 35 × 22 cm; personal item 43 × 25 × 22 cm. (Basic Economy's personal-item-only rule does not apply on transatlantic/transpacific routes like India.) |
| Excess baggage rate | Chargeable | Delhi–Newark: 3rd+ bag USD 300 each. Overweight 24–32 kg: +$300; 33–45 kg: +$400; oversize 160–292 cm: +$300. Heavier/larger not accepted. Fees rose for Asia tickets purchased on/after 12 May 2026. |
| Infant baggage (under 2 years) | See details | Ticketed lap infants get the same bag allowance as the accompanying adult (bags may be checked in the infant's name), plus a stroller and car seat checked free. |
| Sports / special equipment | Chargeable | Sports equipment travels as checked pieces under the standard bag/overweight fees; oversized items follow the +$300 oversize rule. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is United Airlines's checked baggage allowance for international flights?
India ↔ USA (piece concept, DEL–EWR): Basic Economy 0 free (1st bag $90) · Economy 1 × 23 kg free (2nd $240) • Premium Plus 2 × 23 kg • Polaris Business 2 × 32 kg. United degraded India allowances for tickets bought on/after 12 May 2026 (per its own bag-fee calculator for Delhi–Newark): standard Economy includes ONE free 23 kg bag and the second costs USD 240; Basic Economy includes NO free bag — the first costs USD 90. Premium Plus keeps 2 × 23 kg and Polaris Business 2 × 32 kg (max 157 cm). New "base" sub-fares of Premium Plus/Polaris include only 1 free bag. Always confirm at https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly/travel/baggage.html before flying.
What is the cabin bag (hand luggage) limit for United Airlines?
1 carry-on + 1 personal item — no published weight limit; India itineraries keep the carry-on even on Basic Economy. Dimensions: Carry-on max 56 × 35 × 22 cm; personal item 43 × 25 × 22 cm. (Basic Economy's personal-item-only rule does not apply on transatlantic/transpacific routes like India.) Always verify your specific allowance on https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly/travel/baggage.html before flying — airlines can change these limits without prior notice.
What are United Airlines's excess baggage charges?
Delhi–Newark: 3rd+ bag USD 300 each. Overweight 24–32 kg: +$300; 33–45 kg: +$400; oversize 160–292 cm: +$300. Heavier/larger not accepted. Fees rose for Asia tickets purchased on/after 12 May 2026. Excess baggage rates change frequently — confirm the current rate on https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly/travel/baggage.html. To avoid excess charges, pre-purchase additional baggage online through "Manage Booking" — it is typically 20–30% cheaper than paying at the airport counter.
What is United Airlines's baggage allowance for infants?
Ticketed lap infants get the same bag allowance as the accompanying adult (bags may be checked in the infant's name), plus a stroller and car seat checked free. Confirm current infant baggage policy at https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly/travel/baggage.html.
What about sports equipment and special items?
Sports equipment travels as checked pieces under the standard bag/overweight fees; oversized items follow the +$300 oversize rule.
How do I avoid excess baggage fees on United Airlines?
The best way to avoid excess baggage fees on United Airlines is to pre-purchase additional baggage allowance when booking on HappyFares or through the airline's "Manage Booking" portal before your flight — this is typically 20–30% cheaper than paying at the airport check-in counter. Also, weigh your bags at home before the airport. If you are travelling with a group, distribute weight across all passengers while staying within each individual limit. Codeshare flights may use the operating carrier's policy, not the marketing carrier's — confirm with both airlines.
How many free bags does United allow from India to the USA?
For tickets bought on/after 12 May 2026, United Economy on India–USA includes ONE free 23 kg bag — the second costs USD 240 — and Basic Economy includes NO free bag (first bag USD 90), per United's own bag-fee calculator for Delhi–Newark. Premium Plus still includes 2 × 23 kg and Polaris Business 2 × 32 kg. India itineraries do keep the free cabin carry-on even on Basic Economy.
What is the United Airlines cabin (hand) baggage size limit in cm?
Carry-on max 56 × 35 × 22 cm; personal item 43 × 25 × 22 cm. (Basic Economy's personal-item-only rule does not apply on transatlantic/transpacific routes like India.) The cabin baggage weight limit is 1 carry-on + 1 personal item — no published weight limit; India itineraries keep the carry-on even on Basic Economy. Size limits are checked at the gate — an oversized bag is moved to the hold and can attract a fee, so measure your trolley bag (wheels and handles included) before you fly. Confirm at https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly/travel/baggage.html.
How do I add extra baggage on United Airlines after booking, and how much does it cost?
You can add prepaid extra baggage any time after booking through United Airlines's "Manage Booking" on https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly/travel/baggage.html, or from HappyFares My Trips — buying it online is about 20–30% cheaper than paying at the airport counter. Delhi–Newark: 3rd+ bag USD 300 each. Overweight 24–32 kg: +$300; 33–45 kg: +$400; oversize 160–292 cm: +$300. Heavier/larger not accepted. Fees rose for Asia tickets purchased on/after 12 May 2026. Add it before the online cut-off (usually a few hours before departure); after that you pay the higher per-kg rate at check-in.
What is the maximum weight for a single checked bag on United Airlines?
A single checked bag must not exceed 32 kg on United Airlines — a fixed baggage-handler safety limit that applies on virtually every airline. If your free allowance is higher, split it across two or more pieces, each 32 kg or under. A bag over your free limit but under 32 kg is accepted on payment of excess; a single piece over 32 kg is refused at check-in and must travel as cargo. Confirm piece rules at https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly/travel/baggage.html.
Can I carry a power bank in United Airlines cabin baggage?
Yes — power banks are allowed ONLY in cabin baggage (never checked-in). Per DGCA's 11-November-2025 advisory, you may carry up to 2 power banks per passenger. Each must be ≤100 Wh for unrestricted carriage; 100-160 Wh requires airline approval; >160 Wh is banned. Store them in your seat pocket or under-seat personal item — NOT in overhead bins. In-flight use is banned, including charging from aircraft USB ports. A 20,000 mAh / 3.7V power bank equals 74 Wh, so it's permitted.
How many liquids can I carry in United Airlines hand baggage?
Per BCAS rules, each liquid container must be 100ml or less, all containers combined fit in one transparent 1-litre resealable bag, and one bag per passenger. This applies to water, perfume, shampoo, gel, toothpaste, and cosmetics. Exceptions: baby food/milk in reasonable quantities; prescription medicine with prescription; duty-free liquids in a Sealed Tamper-Evident Bag (STEB) with receipt. Water bottles bought after security are allowed onboard.
Are keys allowed in hand luggage on United Airlines?
Yes — house and car keys are allowed in both cabin (hand) baggage and checked baggage on United Airlines and all Indian flights; they are not a restricted item. The only exception is a keychain multi-tool or keyring with a blade or sharp point longer than 6 cm, which must go in checked baggage, not the cabin.
What items are not allowed in United Airlines hand (cabin) baggage?
Prohibited in cabin baggage on Indian flights (per BCAS): sharp objects with a blade or point over 6 cm (knives, scissors, box cutters), tools such as screwdrivers, hammers and wrenches, sporting bats and cue sticks, firearms and ammunition, flammable liquids and aerosols, and most lighters and matchboxes. Power banks are cabin-only (never checked-in); liquids must follow the 100 ml rule. When in doubt, pack the item in checked baggage — confirm the current list at https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly/travel/baggage.html.