The following information regarding special checked baggage items applies only to international travel on United. All fees shown below are in U.S. dollars and are for one-way travel only, unless otherwise specified. For information on travel within the U.S., Canada and U.S. territories, visit the U.S./Canada special items page.
Special items fall into three categories:
- Checked bag equivalent - treated as checked bags and included in your baggage allowance or checked as excess baggage
- Standard-sized - items charged a handling fee
- Large-sized - items charged a handling fee
Exceptionally bulky or fragile items will not be accepted as checked baggage, but may ride in a passenger seat in the cabin provided a ticket is purchased for the item and specific seating conditions have been met.
| Checked bag equivalent examples |
 |
|
| Archery equipment |
|
|
Allowance/requirements
Bows and arrows
Allowed in place of one checked bag.
|
|
Maximum weight/size
50 pounds/62 linear inches
(23 kilograms/158 linear centimeters)
|
|
|
|
| Back to top |
| Backpack |
|
|
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.
|
|
Maximum weight/size
50 pounds/62 linear inches
(23 kilograms/158 linear centimeters)
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.
|
|
|
|
| Back to top |
| Bowling equipment |
|
|
Allowance/requirements
Bowling case with shoes and 2 bowling balls.
Allowed in place of one checked bag. |
|
Maximum weight/size
50 pounds/62 linear inches
(23 kilograms/158 linear centimeters)
Other information
For safety reasons, we do not accept bags holding more than 2 bowling balls.
|
|
|
|
| Back to top |
| Fishing equipment |
|
|
Allowance/requirements
2 rods
1 reel
1 pair of boots
1 tackle box
1 landing net
Allowed in place of one checked bag. |
|
Maximum weight/size
50 pounds/62 linear inches
(23 kilograms/158 linear centimeters)
Maximum length
109 inches
|
|
|
|
| Back to top |
| Golf equipment |
|
|
Allowance/requirements
1 standard-sized golf bag with clubs and 1 pair of shoes
Allowed in place of one checked bag. |
|
Maximum weight
50 pounds (23 kilograms)
Other information
Must be enclosed in full-length protective cover (vinyl, cloth, nylon or hard-sided case).
|
|
|
|
| Back to top |
| Hockey equipment |
|
|
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.
|
|
Maximum weight/size
50 pounds/62 linear inches
(23 kilograms/158 linear centimeters)
|
|
|
|
| Back to top |
| Musical instruments |
|
|
Allowance/requirements
A musical instrument is allowed in place of one carry-on item, provided it can be stowed properly under the seat or in an overhead bin, and the total linear dimensions (length + width + height) do not exceed 45 inches (114 cm). If total linear dimensions exceed 45 inches, the instrument must be checked.
A musical instrument may be checked only if it is protected in a hard-sided case (no soft-sided cases permitted). We recommend that passengers contact United Reservations in advance when planning to check musical instruments.
|
|
Maximum weight/size
50 pounds/62 linear inches
(23 kilograms/158 linear centimeters)
Other information
Checked musical instruments are subject to oversized, overweight and excess baggage fees.
|
|
|
|
| Back to top |
| Skateboard |
|
|
Allowance/requirements
1 skateboard
Allowed in place of one checked bag. |
|
Maximum weight/size
50 pounds/62 linear inches
(23 kilograms/158 linear centimeters)
Other information
Accepted as carry-on if within carry-on limits.
|
|
|
|
| Back to top |
| Snow and water skiing equipment |
|
|
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 additional ski equipment is checked, each piece will count as a standard-sized special item, and the associated fee(s) will apply.
|
|
Maximum weight
If the combined weight of the ski bag and boot bag exceeds 50 pounds (23 kg), an overweight fee will apply.
|
|
|
|
| Back to top |
| Snowboarding equipment |
|
|
Allowance/requirements
1 snowboard bag, plus
1 boot bag containing boots and bindings only, are allowed in place of one checked bag.
If additional snowboarding equipment is checked, each piece will count as a standard-sized special item, and the associated fee(s) will apply.
|
|
Maximum weight/size
If the combined weight of the snowboard bag and boot bag exceeds 50 pounds (23 kg), an overweight fee will apply.
Other information
The boot bag must be separate from the snowboard bag .
Snowboard acceptable length range = 53-72 inches (135-184 cm). |
|
|
|
| Back to top |
| Standard-sized examples |
|
|
| Bicycle |
|
|
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.
|
|
Maximum weight
50 pounds (23 kilograms)
Other information
Allow an extra 30 minutes at check-in.
If your itinerary includes a United Express flight, please contact United Reservations for information regarding aircraft cargo hold limits. |
| Cost |
|
Tickets purchased on or after November 14, 2008
for travel on or after December 3, 2008: |
|
| Travel between North America and |
|
• the Caribbean
• Central America
• Mexico |
|
|
• Asia/Australia/
New Zealand via
the Pacific
• Europe
• South America* |
|
|
• Africa
• Asia via the Atlantic
• the Middle East
|
|
| $175 |
|
|
$200 |
|
|
$250
|
|
*Excluding travel to Japan and Brazil.
Contact United Reservations for rates to Japan and Brazil.
For all other tickets, contact your local reservations office.
|
|
|
|
|
| Back to top |
| Luge board/surfboard/wakeboard |
|
|
Allowance/requirements
One case holding one or two surfboards, luge boards or wakeboards. Maximum 2 boards per case.
|
|
Maximum weight
50 pounds (23 kilograms)
Maximum length
109 inches (277 cm)
Other information
Allow an extra 30 minutes at check-in.
Cannot be accommodated on Boeing 737, Airbus A320 or Airbus A319 aircraft.
If your itinerary includes United Express, please contact United Reservations for information regarding aircraft cargo hold limits.
|
| Cost |
|
Tickets purchased on or after November 14, 2008
for travel on or after December 3, 2008: |
|
| Travel between North America and |
|
• the Caribbean
• Central America
• Mexico |
|
|
• Asia/Australia/
New Zealand via
the Pacific
• Europe
• South America* |
|
|
• Africa
• Asia via the Atlantic
• the Middle East
|
|
| $175 per board |
|
|
$200 per board |
|
|
$250 per board
|
|
*Excluding travel to Japan and Brazil.
Contact United Reservations for rates to Japan and Brazil.
For all other tickets, contact your local reservations office.
|
|
|
|
|
| Back to top |
| Scuba |
|
|
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)
|
|
Maximum weight/size
50 pounds/62 linear inches
(23 kilograms/158 linear centimeters) |
| Cost |
|
Charges apply only if a tank is included. Otherwise, one bag with equipment will be allowed in place of one checked bag.
Tickets purchased on or after November 14, 2008 for travel on or after December 3, 2008: |
|
| Travel between North America and |
|
• the Caribbean
• Central America
• Mexico |
|
|
• Asia/Australia/
New Zealand via
the Pacific
• Europe
• South America* |
|
|
• Africa
• Asia via the Atlantic
• the Middle East
|
|
| $175 |
|
|
$200 |
|
|
$250
|
|
*Excluding travel to Japan and Brazil.
Contact United Reservations for rates to Japan and Brazil.
For all other tickets, contact your local reservations office.
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Back to top |
| Vaulting poles |
|
|
Allowance/requirements
One case holding a maximum of two poles.charges.
|
|
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 Reservations for information regarding aircraft cargo hold limits.
|
| Cost |
|
| Tickets purchased on or after November 14, 2008 for travel on or after December 3, 2008: |
|
| Travel between North America and |
|
• the Caribbean
• Central America
• Mexico |
|
|
• Asia/Australia/
New Zealand via
the Pacific
• Europe
• South America* |
|
|
• Africa
• Asia via the Atlantic
• the Middle East
|
|
| $175 per pole |
|
|
$200 per pole |
|
|
$250 per pole
|
|
*Excluding travel to Japan and Brazil.
Contact United Reservations for rates to Japan and Brazil.
For all other tickets, contact your local reservations office.
|
|
|
|
|
| Back to top |
| Large-sized examples |
|
|
| Hang gliding equipment |
|
|
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.
|
|
Maximum weight
Total weight of 4 component bags cannot exceed 110 pounds.
Other information
Allow an extra 30 minutes at check-in. Cannot be accommodated on Boeing 737, Airbus A320 or Airbus A319 aircraft.
If your itinerary includes United Express, please contact United Reservations for information regarding aircraft cargo hold limits.
|
| Cost |
|
| Tickets purchased on or after November 14, 2008 for travel on or after December 3, 2008: |
|
| Travel between North America and |
|
• the Caribbean
• Central America
• Mexico |
|
|
• Asia/Australia/
New Zealand via
the Pacific
• Europe
• South America* |
|
|
• Africa
• Asia via the Atlantic
• the Middle East
|
|
| $250 |
|
|
$400 |
|
|
$500
|
|
*Excluding travel to Japan and Brazil.
Contact United Reservations for rates to Japan and Brazil.
For all other tickets, contact your local reservations office.
|
|
|
|
|
| Back to top |
| Kayak |
|
|
Allowance/requirements
Consists of shell and paddles
|
|
Maximum 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 Boeing 737, Airbus A320 or Airbus A319 aircraft.
If your itinerary includes United Express, please contact United Reservations for information regarding aircraft cargo hold limits.
|
| Cost |
|
| Tickets purchased on or after November 14, 2008 for travel on or after December 3, 2008: |
|
| Travel between North America and |
|
• the Caribbean
• Central America
• Mexico |
|
|
• Asia/Australia/
New Zealand via
the Pacific
• Europe
• South America* |
|
|
• Africa
• Asia via the Atlantic
• the Middle East
|
|
| $250 |
|
|
$400 |
|
|
$500
|
|
*Excluding travel to Japan and Brazil.
Contact United Reservations for rates to Japan and Brazil.
For all other tickets, contact your local reservations office.
|
|
|
|
|
| Back to top |
| Windsurfer sailboard |
|
|
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.
|
|
Maximum weight
Total weight of 4 component bags cannot exceed 110 pounds.
Maximum length
109 inches (277 cm)
Other information
Allow an extra 30 minutes at check-in.
Cannot be accommodated on Boeing 737, Airbus A320 or Airbus A319 aircraft.
If your itinerary includes United Express, please contact United Reservations for information regarding aircraft cargo hold limits.
|
| Cost |
|
| Tickets purchased on or after November 14, 2008 for travel on or after December 3, 2008: |
|
| Travel between North America and |
|
• the Caribbean
• Central America
• Mexico |
|
|
• Asia/Australia/
New Zealand via
the Pacific
• Europe
• South America* |
|
|
• Africa
• Asia via the Atlantic
• the Middle East
|
|
| $250 |
|
|
$400 |
|
|
$500
|
|
*Excluding travel to Japan and Brazil.
Contact United Reservations for rates to Japan and Brazil.
For all other tickets, contact your local reservations office.
|
|
|
|
|
| Back to top |
|
