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International baggage information
Customers traveling to/from the United States and all international destinations are required to have their baggage checked 45 minutes prior to flight departure time.
  • Maximum linear dimensions of all bags: 62 inches/158cm (length + width + height) each
  • The number of checked bags permitted varies with your Mileage Plus status and/or class of service

Please review the information below for additional details and exceptions.

International destinations

(excluding travel to/from Brazil and The Philippines):

  Customers
Economy Class 2 bags, maximum 50 pounds/23kg each
First or Business Class 2 bags, maximum 70 pounds/32kg each
Global Services, 1K, Premier Executive and Star Alliance Gold Members 3 bags, maximum 70 pounds/32kg each
Military customers on tour 2 duffel bags, sea bags or B-4 bags up to 70 pounds/32kg and 115 linear inches/292cm

Fees for baggage more than 70 pounds/32kg or exceeding the maximum linear dimensions vary by destination. Contact United or your travel agent prior to your trip for details.

Baggage must be checked at the airport at least 45 minutes prior to flight departure time.

Travel to/from Brazil, The Philippines:

  Customers
Economy Class 2 bags, maximum 70 pounds/32kg each
First or Business Class 2 bags, maximum 70 pounds/32kg each
Global Services, 1K, Premier Executive and Star Alliance Gold Members 3 bags, maximum 70 pounds/32kg each
Military customers on tour 2 duffel bags, sea bags or B-4 bags up to 70 pounds/32kg and 115 linear inches/292cm

Fees for baggage more than 70 pounds/32kg or exceeding the maximum linear dimensions vary by destination. Contact United or your travel agent prior to your trip for details.

Travel to/from Mexico City:

  Customers
Economy Class 2 bags, maximum 50 pounds/23kg each
First or Business Class 2 bags, maximum 70 pounds/32kg each
Global Services, 1K, Premier Executive and Star Alliance Gold Members 3 bags, maximum 70 pounds/32kg each
Military customers on tour 2 duffel bags, sea bags or B-4 bags up to 70 pounds/32kg and 115 linear inches/292 cm

Fees for baggage more than 70 pounds/32kg or exceeding the maximum linear dimensions vary by destination. Contact United or your travel agent prior to your trip for details.

During the peak winter, spring and summer months, and during holiday periods, customers will be asked to voluntarily designate a secondary bag that may be placed on a later flight. We will only be able to guarantee a primary bag at times when capacity exceeds space limitations.

Travel to Mexico City
During the peak winter travel period of December 1 - January 7, customers are limited to the number and size of their checked baggage when traveling to Mexico City, Mexico.

The following guidelines apply to all customers:

  • No oversize, overweight or extra bags will be accepted.
  • Pets will not be accepted as part of a customer's checked baggage
  • Only one box is permitted as part of a customer's free allowance; it must be the original manufacturer's box containing the original item

Travel to Guatemala
Passengers will be subject to certain fees for any excess, oversized or overweight bags. This applies to passengers originating from Los Angeles or passengers connecting through LAX from other U.S. points of origin. Further restrictions apply during peak travel seasons.

Travel during peak periods
Customers will be limited to the number of bags they can check if they are traveling on or between the following time periods:

  • 10 days prior to Easter Sunday through the following Monday.
  • The Saturday prior to Memorial Day through the Tuesday after Labor Day.
  • The first Sunday in December through January 6 of the following year.

The following baggage guidelines apply to all customers:

  • No oversize, overweight or extra bags will be accepted.
  • Only one box is permitted as part of a customer's free allowance; it must be the original manufacturer's box containing the original item.
  • Customers will have to declare a secondary bag. If secondary bags are not placed on the designated flight, bags will be routed to final destination on the first available flight.

The provisions above do not apply to customers originating travel from outside the U.S.

Travel during non-peak periods
Non-peak periods occur for travel other than the periods listed above.

The following checked baggage allowance applies for travel during non-peak periods:

  • Only one box is permitted as part of a customer's free allowance; it must be the original manufacturer's box containing the original item.

The number of checked bags permitted varies with your Mileage Plus status and/or class of service:

  • United Economy customers are limited to three additional checked bags.
  • United First or Business customers are limited to three additional checked bags.
  • United's 1K, Premier, Premier Executive and Star Alliance Gold members are limited to two additional checked bags.

There is a fee of $100.00 for each additional checked bag. Added charges apply if the piece is overweight or over size.

If you have additional questions, please contact your travel agent or United reservations at 1-800-UNITED-1 (1-800-864-8331) in the U.S. for assistance.


Travel originating in London:
The British Airport Authority strictly limits checked baggage originating in London to 70 pounds/32 kg per piece. Any piece exceeding the limit must be repackaged into smaller units.

We recommend contacting United Reservations in advance when checking items such as musical instruments, sporting equipment, camera equipment, etc. that cannot be subdivided to meet the weight limit.

Travel wholly within Asia:

  Customers Total combined weight of all checked bags not to exceed
Economy Class 44 pounds/20kg
Business Class 66 pounds/30kg
First Class 88 pounds/40kg
Global Services, 1K, Premier Executive and Star Alliance Gold Members An Additional 44 pounds / 20kg is allowed.
Military customers on tour Any number of duffel bags, sea bags or B-4 bags up to a total maximum weight of 140 pounds/64kg

Fees for baggage weighing more than 70 pounds/32kg or exceeding the maximum linear dimensions vary by destination. Contact United or your travel agent prior to your trip for details.

Return to Travel requirements and regulations.


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