United Airlines

United Airlines is known as the world’s largest airline not just by the number of destinations served but also by the number of passengers carried. United Airlines which is a major flag carrier in the USA with its headquarters in Willis Tower, Chicago. When it comes to its size, United Airlines is measured to be the largest airline in the USA which serves 345 domestic destinations and 118 international destinations in 48 countries. The airline also became one of the five founding members of Star Alliances.

United Airlines Facilities

United Airlines has an extensive list of both domestic and international destinations. The airline consistently ranks as one the world largest airlines not just by passengers carried but also by the size of fleet. The airline offers its passengers the feasibility to choose the fare that suits them best. United has six different cabin configurations including Basic Economy, Economy, Economy Plus, Premium Economy, United First, United Polaris.

Cabin Configuration

United Polaris

United Polaris is the highest class of luxury in United flight as it offers premium service and facility not just on board but on ground as well.

• Passengers travelling in United Polaris can enjoy private seats with direct aisle access. The airline extends the luxurious services by providing reading lights, power supply, and private screen for inflight entertainment.
• Every seat is equipped with noise-reducing headphones and a large in-flight entertainment screen that features an array of entertainment options. The seats also feature plenty of space to store things with a lot of personal charging ports for convenience.
• The airline also offers passengers with amenity kits designed by Therabody that consist of eye serum, facial spray, hand cream, socks, ear plugs, and an eye mask.
• Passengers travelling on United Airline can also enjoy a lavish complimentary meal service that starts right from the take off and finishes with the main course with varieties of delicacies.

United Basic Economy, Economy and Economy Plus

• This cabin configuration may sound the same to many passengers, however, these three have distinct features and amenities on board. One thing being common on this triplet of Economy is that passengers travelling in any economy fare will have to purchase checked baggage starting from $35.
• On Basic Economy, passengers are allowed to take carry-on bags on transatlantic and transpacific flights only. While in Economy and Economy plus, passengers can carry a full sized carry-on bag without any additional charges on any United Airlines route.
• In basic economy passengers are not eligible for seat assignment while passengers in Economy and Economy Plus can choose their desired seat for free. The basic economy and Economy seats are standard economy seats that don’t feature recline or footrest. While passengers travelling in Economy plus get better seats with extra legroom in front of the economy cabin.

United Airlines Baggage Policy

United Airlines baggage policy offers a generous baggage allowance which enables passengers to travel with plenty of baggage. However, there are certain regulations on baggage allowance for passengers.

Carry-on Baggage

All passengers are allowed to take carry-on baggage depending on their cabin class and fare type. 

• Passengers travelling on United flights must travel with a carry-on bag that fits in the overhead bin. The maximum baggage allowance for carry-on is 9 x 14 x 22 inches (23 cm x 35 cm x 56 cm) including handle and wheels. As for personal items, one can only carry one personal item like laptop bag, purse or backpack that follows 9 x 10 x 17 inches (22 cm x 25 cm x 43 cm). 
• Basic Economy passengers are only allowed to bring one personal item when flying to South America, across the Atlantic or across the Pacific. Passengers travelling with carry-on baggage will be charged the standard baggage fee plus additional $25. 

Checked Baggage

As per United Airlines baggage policy, passengers travelling in United Polaris, United First, Premium Economy can carry checked baggage. The maximum size of checked baggage is 30 x 20 x 12 inches (76 cm x 52 cm x 30 cm) including handles and wheels. However, the weight of the baggage depends on the cabin class and MileagePlus status. 

Cabin and Mileage Plus	Maximum Weight per bag
United Economy	23 kg
Premium Economy	23 kg
United Business Class	32kg
United First Class	32kg
United Polaris	32kg
Premium Silver Status	32kg
Premier Gold	32kg
Premier Platinum	32kg
Premier 1k	32kg
Star Alliance Gold	23 kg

United Airlines Check in Policy

United Airlines check in policy ensures to provide customers the flexibility to check-in as per their convenience. There are several ways to check-in. One of them is online check-in which allows customers to save time and energy rather than towing heavy baggage across the airport.

United Online Check-in Time

• United Airlines online check-in starts 24 hours before the scheduled departure of flight. 
• Passengers are allowed to complete their check-in until one hour before the scheduled departure of flight. 
• Passengers can also contact the United Airlines customer service to check in without any inconvenience.

United Check-in Time at Airport or Kiosks

• Passengers who seek assistance for check-in, can check-in directly at the airport.
• The airport check-in counter and self service are operational as early as four hours prior to departure.
• As per United Airlines check-in policy, passengers can check-in until one hour before the scheduled flight on some routes.
• Passengers who are running late can check their United Airlines flight status to avoid getting delayed.

United Curbside Check-in

• The United Airlines curbside check-in usually starts four hours to thirty minutes prior to checked departure, depending on the destination of the flight. 
• The airline advises its passengers to complete the check-in within the designated time to avoid any last minute hassle or worse missing out the flight. 

United Airlines Cancellation Policy

The cancellation policy allows passengers to have flexibility while travelling. However, there are few regulations that passengers should abide by in case of cancellation to receive refunds. 

• As per United Airlines cancellation policy, passengers can cancel their flights up to 3 hours before the scheduled departure for international flights and 2 hours before for any domestic flight. 
• Passengers can receive a full refund only if they cancel their flight within 24 hours after booking the reservation. Also, the reservation should have scheduled departure at least 7 days after the day of reservation. 
• In case, if the airline cancels its flight voluntarily, then no cancellation fee will be charged. 
• In case of no show, the entire value of the ticket will be forfeited in the absence of the passenger. 
• In case of any bereavement of travellers immediate family or relatives, the airline will waive any cancellation fee on United ticket. 
• In case of cancellation of basic economy tickets which are non-refundable tickets, the airline will refund the value of the ticket in the form of flight credit for future travel with United Airlines. 
• For refundable tickets, passengers can cancel the flight anytime before departure to receive a full refund. 

United Airlines Claim for Cancelled Flight

Passengers are entitled for compensation if they are informed about a flight cancelled within 2 weeks prior to scheduled departure. Depending on the situation, passengers can receive suitable compensation. 

Situation	Compensation Entitlement
Flight Cancellation	Either refund or alternate flight or travel credit coupon
Flight Delayed by 3 or more hours	Refund, Travel Credit, rebooking, alternate flight
Denied Boarding	Up to $1,350 depending on the length of flight and fare paid
Offered rerouting within arrival within 4 hours	No compensation unless the delay was due to a controllable situation

United Airlines Refund Policy

The United Airlines provides a flexible and generous refund policy to customers in case of cancellation. However, the refund depends on the fare type and time of reversal. 

• Basic Economy tickets are not eligible for refund or cancellations unless cancelled within 24 hours of making the reservation. 
• The ticket validity lasts for 12 months thus customers should ensure to request for refund before that.
• United processed credit card refund within 7 business days however, while other payment methods may take almost 20 business days. 
• United Airlines only credits refunds back to its original payment method that was used for purchasing the ticket.

Frequently Asked Questions