Traveller reference · UA
United Airlines
Star Alliance · IATA UA · the widest long-haul network of the US carriers
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This page is a general reference written by our team. Baggage allowances, fees and policies are set by the airline and change without notice, so confirm anything that affects your trip with United Airlines directly before you travel.
Official site: united.comUnited has the broadest international route map of the three large US carriers, with Pacific flying out of San Francisco, transatlantic depth at Newark and Washington Dulles, and Houston covering much of Latin America. If your trip is long-haul from the United States, United frequently has a non-stop where the others need a connection.
Its cabin naming rewards a moment's attention. Economy Plus is extra legroom in economy, Premium Plus is a separate premium economy cabin, and Polaris is the long-haul business product. Three names, three quite different tickets, and they are easy to confuse when scanning results.
United Airlines at a glance
- IATA code
- UA
- ICAO code
- UAL
- Based in
- United States
- Alliance
- Star Alliance
- Type
- Full-service
- Frequent flyer
- MileagePlus
How United Airlines baggage works
United structures allowance by fare tier, cabin and MileagePlus status. Basic Economy is the most restrictive tier and its limitations reach well beyond baggage into seating and changes.
Transatlantic and transpacific tickets are generally counted in pieces with a per-bag weight ceiling; domestic tickets typically include a carry-on and personal item with checked bags priced separately. Segments operated by regional partners under the United Express banner can differ, particularly on smaller aircraft where cabin bags are gate-checked as a matter of course.
Confirm the allowance attached to your own booking on united.com, especially where a United Express or Star Alliance partner flies part of the itinerary.
Check-in
Online check-in typically opens 24 hours before departure through united.com or the app.
Airport and bag-drop cutoffs vary by airport and are earlier for international departures. On United Express regional aircraft, expect full-size cabin bags to be tagged at the gate regardless of when you checked in.
Boarding
United boards in numbered groups, with pre-boarding and premium cabins first, then status tiers and cardholders, and Basic Economy in the final group.
Overhead space is the practical constraint. A late group on a full flight often means gate-checking a full-size carry-on, so keep medication, documents and electronics in the personal item that stays with you.
Before you fly United Airlines
Economy Plus, Premium Plus and Polaris are three different products
The first is legroom in economy, the second a separate premium economy cabin, the third the long-haul business cabin. Confirm which one a fare actually includes before paying the difference.
Newark and Dulles behave differently
Both are transatlantic gateways, but connection times and terminal layouts are not comparable. Check the terminals on your specific itinerary rather than assuming a hub is a hub.
Star Alliance status transfers
Status with Lufthansa, Air Canada, Singapore Airlines or another Star Alliance member generally brings priority and baggage benefits on United. Add the number when booking rather than at the airport.
Planning a trip rather than researching a carrier?
Our route and airport guides cover the journey itself — when demand peaks, which airports work, and how long the connection really takes.
FAQ
United Airlines — common questions
General guidance only. United Airlines sets these policies and can change them, so confirm anything that affects your trip at united.com.
What is the difference between United Economy Plus and Premium Plus?
Economy Plus is a standard economy seat with additional legroom, in the same cabin as the rest of economy. Premium Plus is a separate premium economy cabin on long-haul aircraft, with a wider seat, more recline and a different service and baggage allowance. The names are similar and the products are not.
When does United check-in open?
Usually 24 hours before departure through united.com or the app. Airport cutoffs are set per airport and are earlier for international flights, with bag drop closing before the desk. Check both for your departure point rather than assuming they are standard across the network.
What is United Polaris?
Polaris is United's long-haul international business class, covering the lie-flat seat, bedding and the dedicated lounges at some hubs. It applies to intercontinental flying rather than to domestic first class, which is a separate and simpler product despite both being at the front of the aircraft.