United Airlines Business Class Baggage Allowance

One of the perks of traveling in business class is the additional baggage allowance. If you haven’t traveled in business class for a while, or maybe it’s your first time, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with this premium class’s baggage allowance. That’s where this article steps in.

In this post, we’ll cover United’s Business Class baggage allowances for both carry-on and checked bags. We’ll also look at what you’ll expect to pay if you’re traveling with excess baggage. International travel will also be covered: baggage allowances, fees, and potential limits that may affect your trip. Finally, we’ll discuss the extra baggage allowances enjoyed by MileagePlus status members.

What is United Airlines Business Class?

Firstly, let’s define what United Airlines considers as Business Class. United Airlines Business Class is the second-highest class of service offered by the airline. Passengers traveling in Business Class are provided with premium amenities and services, including comfortable seating, priority boarding, and priority baggage handling.

Carry-On Baggage Allowance

As a Business Class passenger, you are allowed to bring one carry-on bag and one personal item onboard the flight.

Carry-On Bag

Size Limit

The maximum size of the carry-on bag is 22 x 14 x 9 inches (56 x 36 x 23 cm), including wheels, and handles.

Typical carry-on bags include:

• Small suitcase
• Duffel bag
• Backpack

The carry-on bag must fit in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you.

Weight Limit

United does not impose a weight limit on carry-on bags. However, you should be able to lift and stow your bag in the overhead bins without assistance.

Personal Item

Size Limit

The maximum size of the personal item is 17 x 10 x 9 inches (43 x 25 x 22 cm).

Typical personal items include:

• Purse
• Briefcase
• Small backpack
• Laptop bag

The personal item must fit under the seat in front of you.

Weight Limit

As with your carry-on bag, United doesn’t enforce a weight limit on your personal item.

Checked Baggage Allowance

As a Business Class passenger, you are allowed to check two bags at no extra cost. The maximum weight of each checked bag is 70 pounds (32 kilograms), and the maximum dimensions (length + width + height) are 62 inches (158 centimeters). You must include any protrusions such as wheels, handles, and straps, when measuring your bag.

If you need to check more than two bags, or if your bags exceed the weight or size limit, you will have to pay an extra fee. The fees for extra baggage vary based on your destination.

Excess Baggage

If you exceed the baggage allowance described above, you will be subject to excess baggage fees. These fees can be quite steep, so it’s important to pack carefully and weigh your bags before heading to the airport. Here are the excess baggage fees for United Airlines business class passengers:

Oversized Bags

• For bags measuring between 63 and 115 linear inches (160 – 292 cm): $200 per bag
• For bags measuring more than 115 linear inches (292 cm): Not accepted as checked baggage

Overweight Bags

• For bags weighing between 71 and 100 pounds (33 – 45 kg): $200 per bag
• For bags weighing more than 100 pounds (45 kg): Not accepted as checked baggage

Extra Bags

Each extra bag can be up to 62 linear inches (157 cm) in size. However, unlike your first two bags included with your fare, extra bags can weigh up to 50 pounds (23 kg) only. If your extra bags exceed these limits, you will be subject to extra fees.

• For three or more bags: $150 each
• For bags measuring between 63 and 115 linear inches (160 – 292 cm): $200 per bag
• For bags weighing between 51 and 70 pounds (24 – 32 kg): $100 per bag
• For bags weighing between 71 and 100 pounds (33 – 45 kg): $200 per bag

International Baggage Allowance

International Carry-On Baggage Allowance

Your carry-on baggage allowance for international flights is identical to domestic travel:

• 1 carry-on bag (22 x 14 x 9 inches)
• 1 personal item (17 x 10 x 9 inches)

International Checked Baggage Allowance

Your checked baggage allowance for international destinations is the same as for domestic flights:

• 2 bags (62 linear inches and 70 pounds each)

International Excess Baggage

For most international destinations, the excess baggage rules and fees are as follows:

International Oversized Bags

• For bags measuring between 63 and 115 linear inches (160 – 292 cm): $200 per bag
• For bags measuring more than 115 linear inches (292 cm): Not accepted as checked baggage

International Overweight Bags

• For bags weighing between 71 and 100 pounds (33 – 45 kg): $400 per bag
• For bags weighing more than 100 pounds (45 kg): Not accepted as checked baggage

International Extra Bags

Each extra bag can be up to 62 linear inches (157 cm) in size. However, unlike your first two bags included with your fare, extra bags can weigh up to 50 pounds (23 kg) only. If your extra bags exceed these limits, you will be subject to extra fees.

• For three or more bags: $200 each
• For bags measuring between 63 and 115 linear inches (160 – 292 cm): $200 per bag
• For bags weighing between 51 and 70 pounds (24 – 32 kg): $200 per bag
• For bags weighing between 71 and 100 pounds (33 – 45 kg): $400 per bag

Baggage Embargoes

Some destinations are subject to seasonal or year-round baggage embargoes. This may limit the size, weight, and number of checked bags that you can travel with.

For example, the following destinations limit checked baggage to 70 pounds (32 kilograms):

There are checked baggage limits for destinations in Central and South America. Further details can be found in our post dedicated to United Airlines’ baggage embargoes.

MileagePlus Premier Baggage Allowance

If you are a member of United Airlines’ loyalty program and have achieved status, you and your companions traveling on the same reservation receive the following free baggage:

As you may have noticed, your third bag has a 70-pound weight limit. This is an exception to most other circumstances where only your first two bags can weigh 70 pounds.

If you choose to buy extra bags, they will adhere to the 50-pound weight limit.

MileagePlus Premier Baggage Embargo Allowance

A few international destinations are impacted by a year-round baggage embargo that will limit the number of bags that Mileage Plus status members can travel with:

Checked bags weighing more than 70 pounds are not allowed.

Business vs Economy Class Baggage Allowance

Carry-On Baggage Allowance Comparison

The carry-on baggage allowance for both Business and Economy Class are identical. This is something that’s a little disappointing to be honest but is common across all U.S. carriers. Most foreign airlines Business Class products include two carry-on bags in addition to your personal item. However, it should be noted that most foreign airlines impose weight limits on carry-on baggage, which United does not.

Checked Baggage Allowance Comparison

As mentioned earlier, United Airlines Business Class includes two checked bags with the fare. The airline’s Economy Class fare doesn’t include any checked bags for domestic flights. Also, the checked bag weight allowance for Economy Class passengers is 23 pounds, compared to 32 pounds for Business Class’s first two bags.

However, for checked bags beyond the first two, both cabin classes are subject to the same fees.

Final Thoughts

For the most part, United Airlines’ Business Class baggage allowance is quite straightforward – at least for domestic travel.

Your carry-on allowance is as follows:

• 1 carry-on bag
• 1 personal item

For most itineraries, your checked baggage allowance includes:

• 2 checked bags (62 linear inches, 70 pounds)
• 3 checked bags for Mileage Plus Premier members and travel companions

Excess baggage fees are quite high, but that’s typical for legacy carriers. For example, if one of your checked bags weighs more than 70 pounds, you’ll have to pay an eye-watering $400 to check your bag.

However, things begin to get complicated when you’re traveling on an international flight. Many countries have operational standards that limit the checked bag weight to 70 pounds.

Also, United enforces baggage embargoes to many destinations south of the U.S. border. This can limit the amount of checked baggage with which you can travel. To further complicate matters, baggage embargoes can be imposed at short notice. It’s important to keep an eye on your email inbox for any updates to your United flight.

Remember to always check United Airlines’ website or contact their customer service for the latest information on baggage allowances and fees.