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United classifies special items in two categories:
- Checked bag equivalent - treated as checked bags and included in your normal baggage allowance or checked as excess baggage (first bag fee, second bag fee or excess baggage fees may apply, as well as fees for oversized and/or overweight baggage)
- Items with extra handling charges - subject to a special item handling fee
Exceptionally bulky or fragile items will not be accepted as checked baggage. These items may ride in a passenger seat in the cabin, provided that a ticket has been purchased for the item and specific seating conditions have been met.
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| Archery equipment |
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Allowance/requirements
Bows and arrows
Allowed in place of one checked bag.
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Maximum weight/size
50 pounds/62 linear inches
(23 kg/158 linear cm)
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| Backpacks |
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Allowance/requirements
Allowed in place of one checked or carry-on bag if within the weight and size limits for either a checked or carry on bag.
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Maximum weight/size
50 pounds/62 linear inches
(23 kg/158 linear cm)
Other information
A backpack can be either checked or carried on as long as it is within the size limits and does not contain any of the restricted items.
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| Bowling equipment |
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Allowance/requirements
Bowling case with shoes and 2 bowling balls.
Allowed in place of one checked bag. |
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Maximum weight/size
50 pounds/62 linear inches
(23 kg/158 linear cm)
Other information
For safety reasons, we do not accept bags holding more than 2 bowling balls.
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| Fishing equipment |
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Allowance/requirements
2 rods
1 reel
1 pair of boots
1 tackle box
1 landing net
Allowed in place of one checked bag. |
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Maximum weight/size
50 pounds/62 linear inches
(23 kg/158 linear cm)
Maximum length
109 inches
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| Golf equipment |
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Allowance/requirements
1 standard-sized golf bag with clubs and 1 pair of shoes
Allowed in place of one checked bag. |
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Maximum weight
50 pounds (23 kg)
Must be enclosed in full-length protective cover (vinyl/cloth/nylon/or hard-sided case).
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| Hockey equipment |
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Allowance/requirements
Hockey/lacrosse sticks and one equipment bag
Equipment bag plus up to two hockey/lacrosse sticks allowed in place of one checked bag.
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Maximum weight/size
50 pounds/62 linear inches
(23 kg/158 linear cm)
Other information
None
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| Musical instruments |
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Allowance/requirements
We understand that the valuable and fragile nature of many instruments requires that they be treated with special care. Please help us to keep your musical instruments safe by following the guidelines below.
You can carry on one guitar or similar or smaller sized musical instrument, which will count as your one carry-on item. The musical instrument, which may exceed 45 linear inches, must be able to be stowed under the seat in front of you or in an overhead bin or another approved stowage location. If space is unavailable prior to departure, the item must be checked as baggage.
Please make sure that each instrument is securely packed in a sturdy case. We will only accept a musical instrument as checked baggage if it is protected in a hard-sided case; no soft-sided cases are permitted, for the protection of your instrument.
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Maximum weight/size for musical instruments as checked baggage
50 pounds/62 linear inches
(23 kg/158 linear cm)
Other information
Checked musical instruments are subject to checked baggage fees and also may be subject to oversized, overweight and excess baggage fees.
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| Skateboards |
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Allowance/requirements
1 skateboard
Allowed in place of one checked bag. |
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Maximum weight/size
50 pounds/62 linear inches
(23 kg/158 linear cm)
Other information
Accepted as carry-on if within carry-on limits.
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| Snow and water skiing equipment |
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Allowance/requirements
1 ski bag, containing 1 pair of skis and poles, plus 1 boot bag, containing boots and bindings only, are allowed in place of one checked bag.
If more than one set of ski equipment is checked, each additional set of equipment (as outlined above) will be counted as one special item, and the associated fee(s) will apply.
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Maximum size/weight
If combined weight of ski bag and boot bag exceed 50 pounds (23 kg), an overweight fee applies.
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| Snowboarding equipment |
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Allowance/requirements
1 snowboard bag, plus
1 boot bag containing boots and bindings only, are allowed in place of one checked bag.
If more than one set of snowboarding equipment is checked, each additional set of equipment (as outlined above) will be counted as one special item, and the associated fee(s) will apply.
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Maximum weight/size
If combined weight of snowboard bag and boot bag exceeds 50 pounds (23 kg) an overweight fee applies.
Other information
Boot bag must be separate from the snowboard bag.
Snowboard acceptable length range = 53-72 inches (135-183 cm).
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| Items with extra handling charges |
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| Antlers/animal horns |
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Allowance/requirements
One set of antlers or animal horns per ticketed customer will be accepted as checked baggage.
Antlers must be as free of residue as possible.
View fee information |
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Maximum weight
Overall linear dimensions (length x width x height) must not exceed 120 in. (304 cm) for most flights. However, on United Express Canadair regional jet flights the linear dimensions of the antlers cannot exceed 33 in. x 43 in. (83 cm x 109 cm) and overall linear dimensions must not exceed 98 in. (248 cm).
Other information
The animal’s skull must be wrapped and antler tips must be properly protected.
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| Bicycles |
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Allowance/requirements
Any non-motorized bicycle must be prepared for travel by the customer. United cannot provide tools. Handlebars must be turned sideways, and protruding pedals and accessories must be removed. The bicycle must be contained in a durable, protective case, bag or box.
View fee information
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Maximum weight
50 pounds (23 kg)
Other information
Allow an extra 30 minutes at check-in.
If your itinerary includes a United Express flight, please contact United for information regarding aircraft cargo hold limits. |
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| Dry ice |
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Allowance/requirements
The packaging used must allow the release of carbon dioxide gas, must be clearly marked as containing dry ice, and must show the net weight and identify the perishable item being preserved by the dry ice. Each container cannot have more than the maximum allowed per customer. Multiple customers cannot pool their portions together, even within the same traveling party.
View fee information
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Maximum weight
5.5 pounds (2.5 kg) per customer
Other information
United will accept packages of dry ice as carry-on baggage or checked baggage.
Dry ice in quantities greater than 5.5 pounds (2.5 kg) must be shipped as cargo. |
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| Hang gliding equipment |
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Allowance/requirements
Individual components of hang-gliding equipment can generally be packed in a separate bag for each component. United will accept a maximum of 2 items per bag for a set of 4 component bags.
View fee information |
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Maximum weight
Total weight of 4 component bags cannot exceed 110 pounds.
Other information
Allow an extra 30 minutes at check-in.
Cannot accommodate on Airbus A320 or Airbus A319 aircraft.
If your itinerary includes United Express, please contact United for information regarding aircraft cargo hold limits.
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| Kayaks |
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Allowance/requirements
Consists of shell and paddles.
View fee information |
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Maximum size/weight
110 pounds (50 kg)
Maximum length
109 inches (277 cm)
Other information
Allow an extra 30 minutes at check-in.
Cannot be accommodated on Airbus A320 or Airbus A319 aircraft.
If your itinerary includes United Express, please contact United for information regarding aircraft cargo hold limits.
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| Kite boards |
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Allowance/requirements
Kite board components are generally packed in separate bags. United will accept a maximum of one set of four component bags.
View fee information
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Maximum weight/size
Total weight of four component bags cannot exceed 110 pounds (49.94 kg).
No one piece of equipment can weigh more than 100 pounds (45.4 kg).
(23 kg/158 linear cm)
Maximum length
109 inches (277 cm)
Other information
Allow an extra 30 minutes at check-in.
Cannot be accommodated on Airbus A320 or Airbus A319 aircraft.
If your itinerary includes United Express, please contact United for information regarding aircraft cargo hold limits.
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| Luge boards/surfboards/wakeboards |
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Allowance/requirements
One case holding one or two surfboards, luge boards or wakeboards. Maximum 2 boards per case. Fee is per board.
View fee information
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Maximum weight/size
50 pounds (23 kg)
Maximum length
109 inches (277 cm)
Other information
Allow an extra 30 minutes at check-in.
Cannot be accommodated on Airbus A320 or Airbus A319 aircraft.
If your itinerary includes United Express, please contact United for information regarding aircraft cargo hold limits.
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| Scuba equipment |
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Allowance/requirements
2 fins
1 mask
1 knife
1 snorkel
1 regulator
1 safety vest
1 spear gun
1 pressure gauge
1 tank harness
1 empty tank (max. pressure
40 psi)
View fee information
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Maximum weight/size
50 pounds/62 linear inches
(23 kg/158 linear cm)
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| Vaulting poles |
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Allowance/requirements
One case holding a maximum of two poles. Fee is per pole.
View fee information
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Maximum length
16 feet (487 cm)
Other information
Allow an extra 30 minutes at check-in.
If your itinerary includes United Express, please contact United for information regarding aircraft cargo hold limits.
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| Windsurfing sailboards |
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Allowance/requirements
Board
Boom
Sail
Mast
These items are generally packed in a separate bag for each component. Each bag is capable of holding several boards, masts, sails, etc. United will accept a maximum of 2 items per bag for a set of 4 component bags.
View fee information
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Maximum size/weight
Total weight of four component bags cannot exceed 110 pounds (49.94 kg).
No one piece of equipment can weigh more than 100 pounds (45.4 kg).
Maximum length
109 inches (277 cm)
Other information
Allow an extra 30 minutes at check-in.
Cannot be accommodated on Airbus A320 or Airbus A319 aircraft.
If your itinerary includes United Express, please contact United for information regarding aircraft cargo hold limits.
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