Fragile and valuable items

If you’re traveling with expensive items, items that can break, or food that can go bad, we recommend you bring them in your carry-on bag or as your personal item whenever possible. These items do count toward your carry-on or checked bag allowance and may be subject to fees. Use the tool below to learn more about specific fragile items, or read about our fragile items policy. Read more about our fragile items policy.

Alcohol

You can bring alcohol on your flight as carry-on as long it's still in the bottle it came in when you bought it. Most of the time it does need to be purchased duty free. You also can't drink it at the airport or while on the plane. Depending on the type of alcohol you're traveling with and where you’re going there are a few other rules as well.

Drinks less than 24% ABV

This includes most wine and beer, and you can pack as much as you want in your checked bags. You can also buy as much as you want after going through airport security, also known as a "duty free purchase," and bring it on the plane with you as carry-on.

If the drink was sold to you in a bottle that's 3.4 ounces or less, you can bring it in your carry-on through security in a clear, zipped plastic bag.

Drinks between 24 and 70% ABV

You can bring up to 5 liters (1.3 gal) in your checked bag or carry-on after a duty-free purchase. However, each bottle must be smaller than 5 liters. If the drink was sold to you in a bottle that's 3.4 ounces or less, you can bring it in your carry-on through security in a clear, zipped plastic bag.

Drinks over 70% ABV

Unfortunately, you can't bring these items on your flight.

International travel rules

If you're flying internationally, there may be limits on the alcohol you can bring with you to your destination.

Additionally, if you fly to the U.S. and have a connecting flight, you'll need to:

  1. Put any duty-free alcohol in your checked bags when you claim them before going through customs.
  2. Re-check your bag before going through security for your connection because TSA won't let you bring duty-free alcohol in your carry-on through the security checkpoint.

Antlers

You can bring one set of antlers or animal horns on your flight if:

  • They're free of residue
  • Any skulls are wrapped and tips are protected
  • The total dimensions (length + width + height) are less than 98 inches if you're flying on United Express
  • The total dimensions are less than 120 inches if you're flying on United

If you're traveling within the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, we'll charge $150 per item. For all other destinations we charge $200 per item. This is in addition to any extra bag fees that may apply to your trip.

Ashes

If you've recently lost a loved one or pet, we know this is a sensitive and difficult time. That's why we want to make your flight as easy as possible.

If you're traveling with ashes, we suggest you bring them as a carry-on bag. We also recommend you:

  • Bring a death certificate and the Disposition Permit you received when the ashes were given to you.
  • Review TSA guidelines on the containers for ashes allowed through security.
  • For travel outside the U.S., you should check with a local consulate or burial advisor before your flight.

You can also ship the ashes using TrustUA, a service we designed with care for transporting casketed and cremated human remains.

Drones

You can bring a drone in your checked bag if it's packed securely. You can also bring a drone in your carry-on as long as the battery is 160 watts or less.

In general, ice should stay at home, but there are a couple exceptions to that rule.

Blue ice

You can bring blue ice packs with you on your flight, but make sure you’re following all TSA guidelines.

Dry ice

You can bring bags, boxes or other packages containing 5.5 pounds (2.5 kg) or less of dry ice as carry-on or checked bags. These packages must meet the following requirements:

  • It cannot be made out of Styrofoam
  • It must allow for proper ventilation to let carbon dioxide out
  • It must be clearly marked as containing dry ice with the weight of the package and what’s inside

If you’re traveling within the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, we’ll charge $150 per item. For all other destinations we charge $200 per item. This is in addition to any extra bag fees that may apply to your trip.

Musical instruments

All instruments should travel in hard-shell cases to keep them protected. They can be packed as carry-on bags or checked bags, but there are limits to what is allowed

Carry-on bag

You can bring a small musical instrument as a carry-on bag if it fits in the overhead bin, or as your personal item if you place it under the seat in front of you. If there isn't room on the plane for your instrument, we'll check it for free.

Checked bag

If you are checking musical instruments, charges may apply. If your instrument is more than 115 total inches (length + width + height), contact us.

Before checking your instrument, loosen any strings to protect against damage during your flight.

Seats for bags

You can buy a seat for your musical instrument if it's too fragile or bulky to be checked.

Basic Economy tickets

A small musical instrument can be carried on as long as it fits under the seat in front of you or in the overhead bin.

A larger musical instrument that doesn't fit in the overhead bin and is brought to the gate will be checked to your final destination and subject to the applicable checked bag fees plus a $25 gate handling charge.

Seafood

All seafood must be placed in a sealed heavy duty plastic bag inside a plastic cooler or box. The cooler or box must also be placed inside a sealed heavy duty plastic bag.

Micronesia

So, all seafood must be placed in a sealed heavy duty plastic bag and placed in a plastic cooler or box, and then placed in a second heavy duty plastic bag and sealed again.

If you use a foam cooler, it must be thick-wall foam and placed inside a strong cardboard box. Please note, your foam cooler cannot be Styrofoam. An agent will inspect the packaging of your seafood to make sure it won't leak or spill.

Towbars

You can a bring towbar in your checked bag if the bag weighs less than 70 pounds and is less than 115 total inches (length + width + height). You must also pack them in a way that protects your bag and other bags.

Zamzam water

You can bring one jerry can containing up to 10 liters (2.64 gal) of Zamzam water as a checked bag for free. The jerry can must be packed with a plastic cover so it doesn't leak or damage other bags. You can't bring Zamzam water as a carry-on bag.