So how strict is United about personal items? Is United strict about its personal item size?
United Airlines is fairly strict about personal item size. For Basic Economy passengers, the rules are even tighter since the only luggage they can bring for free is one personal item.
Both the carry-on bag and personal item will be placed in a sizer at the airport to make sure they are compliant with United airline size limits. If you are a basic economy ticket holder, you are only allowed to have one personal item free of charge.
This post covers everything you need to know about United Airlines’ personal item policy, and what to do if you have a large personal item.
TL;DR
- United allows 1 free personal item per passenger (Basic Economy: only 1 personal item, no carry-on).
- Maximum size: 9″ x 10″ x 17″ (22 x 25 x 43 cm); must fit under the seat.
- Examples include a small backpack, purse, laptop bag, or tote.
- United is stricter than most airlines and may use sizers at the gate, especially on busy flights.
- Soft-sided bags have a better chance of fitting under the seat.
- Oversized items may be checked and incur fees.
- Tip: Stick to size limits to avoid stress and extra charges.
United Personal Item Policy
United Airlines allows one personal item in addition to your main carry-on bag.
Your personal item should be stowed perfectly under the seat in front of you.
The maximum dimensions for your personal item are 9 x 10 x 17 inches (22 centimeters x 25 centimeters x 43 centimeters).
United uses a backpack as an example of a personal item, and it seems that the backpack is fairly big with more space that you can take advantage of.
Besides, the seats in front of you have more space than you think, giving you the opportunity to pack some additional essentials for your trip.
For more details on your overall allowance free of charge, please check out this page on their website.
Liquids
Just like most airlines, United follows the TSA (The Transportation Security Administration) restrictions when transporting liquids.
Liquids, gels, and aerosols need to follow the TSA 3-1-1 liquid rule and be in containers that measure 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less. They must also be inside a single quart-sized bag.
You can find more on the TSA liquids rules here.
Additional Items
In addition to your personal item, you can bring the following items on board, and they don’t count toward your carry-on luggage policy:
- A jacket
- An umbrella
- Books
- Food or merchandise that you buy in the airport
- Assistive devices (such as a collapsible wheelchair, cane, crutches, medical devices for prescription medications, or portable oxygen concentrator)
- FAA-approved child restraint system or safety seat
- A diaper bag
- A breast pump
- A camera
- A pet carrier (service charges apply for in-cabin pets)
How Strict Is United About Personal Item Size?
This is what United displays on its website:
You can always double-check the size of your items with our bag sizer at the airport. If any bags are larger than the carry-on size listed above, or if you bring additional items, you’ll have to check them to your final destination. Additional charges may apply.
United Airlines
If you are flying basic economy and you don’t want to upgrade, I’m sure you will want to maximize your personal items.
It is rare for airlines to investigate the size of a personal item, but for United Airlines, they will make sure that the bag is within the size limits.
Especially on busy flights, they may ask you to place your bag in the luggage sizer, and if your personal item is larger than the allowed size, it may be subject to additional fees.
With that being said, it’s worth checking your personal item size just in case – you should try and stick to the allowed dimensions to avoid any hefty charges at the airport.
What Happens If My Personal Item Is Too Big or Oversized?
In the real world, you wouldn’t worry too much if your personal item is slightly over the exact allowed size.
Ensure that you pack your items wisely and that your personal item doesn’t look bulky. When your carry-on looks light, it is obvious that the airline staff will not need to place it in the sizer.
Suggested: What if my carry on is one inch too big?
Why Is United Strict About Their Personal Items?
Almost any airline is strict about its luggage size limits.
The airline can get itself into big trouble if large suitcases are in the cabin.
And if your personal item doesn’t fit either under the seat in front of you or in the overhead compartment, there would be chaos on board the airplane.
My Personal Item Is Slightly Oversized, Should I Risk It?
If you have a soft-sided bag or a backpack, there are more chances that you won’t face any issues fitting the bag under the seat in front of you.
But, we did some research on new psychological tricks, and here is what we found:
Bags that are brightly colored (red, yellow, orange, and blue) will appear bigger and more obvious than beige, brown, or black bags. These darker colors tend to make the shadows caused by bulges less significant.
Tip
Using these tricks will not guarantee that you will sneak onto the airplane with a large personal item, but it will make a difference when your personal item is slightly big.
Many frequent travelers use this technique to get on board the plane with a bag that other passengers might consider large.
It is worth considering what you would do if you were caught.
Is a Backpack a Personal Item on United?
Yes, most passengers use small backpacks as their personal item.
And if you want to travel light with only one bag, you will be surprised how much you can fit in it while still staying within the allowed dimensions.
I have a friend who succeeded one time in sneaking a 30L backpack as a personal item, but I feel it was just luck.
The Best Personal Item for United Flights
If you’re looking for a carry-on bag that is the perfect fit for United and many other airlines, we recommend this great value range of bags on Amazon.
This Rangeland New Business Trip Backpack 21L is 12 x 7 x 16 inches, and even though it’s a few inches bigger, it will perfectly fit under the seat.
The above Veegul Stylish Doctor Style Multipurpose Travel Backpack is designed to meet the size requirements of United personal items. It fits under-seat storage in-flight, with the dimensions 14.6 x 10.6 x 7.1 inches (37 x 27 x 18 cm). It is a lightweight backpack at only 1.54 pounds, with an adjustable padded shoulder strap.
But because the Veegul Stylish is currently out of stock, we recommend this BRINCH Laptop Backpack, which is 12.5 x 9.5 x 17 inches (LxWxH).
You can also check out this Rangeland New Business Trip Backpack 21L, which is 12 x 7 x 16 inches. Even though it’s a few inches bigger, it will perfectly fit under the seat, and it is a lightweight backpack at only 1.10 lbs.
United Baggage Fees
As stated above, if you are traveling in Basic Economy, you can only bring one personal item on board.
If you show up to the airport with an additional carry-on bag, you’ll need to check your bag at the gate.
You’ll also have to pay the applicable checked bag fee and a gate handling fee.
You can find information regarding all of United’s baggage fees on this page on their website.
Does Checking In Online Make a Difference?
Yes, checking in online is cheaper than checking in at the airport, especially if you want to take more bags.
In addition, checking in at the airport will give the airline staff more time and opportunity to ask questions about your luggage weight and size.
Besides, airlines love when passengers check in online because it saves them time and money, and you don’t need to wait at the check-in desk.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, United is fairly strict when it comes to personal item size.
So please make sure that your personal item is within United personal item size limits.
Otherwise, you never know what will happen until you experience it.
Go for it and experience it with your oversized or large personal item, and talk nicely with the airline staff.
I hope this helps.
Happy travels.
United Airlines Personal Item Rules — FAQ
Does United measure personal items at the gate for all passengers, or mainly for Basic Economy?
United is most strict with Basic Economy class since the only free luggage is a personal item. For other fare classes, enforcement is lighter, but gate agents can still measure your bag if it looks oversized.
Are personal item rules different for international vs. domestic United flights?
United’s personal item size policy is almost the same worldwide. However, the strictness can vary on full international flights due to limited cabin space.
Can you bring both a personal item and a duty-free shopping bag on United?
Duty-free shopping bags are treated like items purchased in the airport and don’t count toward your carry-on or personal item allowance.
Are personal items weighed on United flights?
United does not usually weigh personal items, only measures them. Weight limits typically apply to checked bags, not personal items, unless your bag looks unusually heavy.
What happens if you have a personal item and a pet carrier? Do they both count, or is the pet carrier instead of the personal item?
A pet carrier usually replaces your personal item, since it must go under the seat in front of you. You can still bring a carry-on if your ticket allows it, but not an additional personal item alongside the pet carrier.
Can I bring a garment bag as a personal item on United?
Yes, some garment bags can qualify as personal items if they fit under the seat in front of you, but if they don’t fit, they may count as a carry-on or need to be checked.
Does United allow musical instruments (like a violin) as a personal item?
Small musical instruments can count as a personal item if they fit under the seat. Larger instruments must fit in the overhead bin or be purchased a seat of their own.
Do children get a personal item on United?
Children with their own purchased ticket get the same allowance as adults: one personal item. In addition, parents may bring a diaper bag free of charge.
Does United enforce personal item rules differently at smaller airports compared to major hubs?
Enforcement can vary. At larger hubs with busy flights, agents are more likely to measure bags. At smaller airports, enforcement tends to be more relaxed, but the official policy is the same everywhere.
Are there seat-specific restrictions for personal items on United?
Yes. Bulkhead and exit row seats don’t have under-seat storage, so your personal item must go in the overhead bin during takeoff and landing.
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