United Airlines (airline code UA) is a full-service U.S. carrier and founding member of Star Alliance, serving more than 350 destinations on six continents. Its cabins run from Basic Economy up to lie-flat Polaris business class, with miles earned through MileagePlus. This guide covers United Airlines flights in 2026: fares, baggage, cabins, Wi-Fi, and finding a cheaper ticket.
Trending United fares
One-way starting prices on popular United routes. Search above for live availability.
LondonBook earlyEWR → LHRNewark – London Heathrow- Flight time
- 7h nonstop
- Airlines
- United
$340
TokyoSpring travelSFO → NRTSan Francisco – Tokyo Narita- Flight time
- 11h nonstop
- Airlines
- United
$520
FrankfurtShoulder seasonORD → FRAChicago O'Hare – Frankfurt- Flight time
- 8h 30m nonstop
- Airlines
- United
$380
Mexico CityMidweek dealIAH → MEXHouston – Mexico City- Flight time
- 2h 30m nonstop
- Airlines
- United
$120
SydneyBook earlyLAX → SYDLos Angeles – Sydney- Flight time
- 15h nonstop
- Airlines
- United
$750
CancunTue/Wed dealEWR → CUNNewark – Cancun- Flight time
- 4h nonstop
- Airlines
- United
$180
United baggage allowance and fees (2026)
United raised checked-bag fees on April 3, 2026. Here's what each fare actually includes.
One carry-on (9 x 14 x 22 inches) plus a personal item on most fares. Domestic Basic Economy gets the personal item only, with nothing in the overhead bin; turn up at the gate with a carry-on and it's a $65 gate charge.
On domestic flights and routes to Mexico, Canada, and Latin America, the first checked bag is $45 prepaid or $50 at the airport, the second is $55 prepaid or $60, and a third is $200. Prepaying online at least 24 hours out saves $5 per bag. Each bag must stay within 50 pounds and 62 linear inches.
United Chase cardholders, MileagePlus Premier members, active military, and premium-cabin passengers get at least one free checked bag. On most transatlantic and transpacific routes the first bag is free in economy, though Basic Economy is left out.
United cabin classes
United Polaris
Basic Basic Economy
The cheapest fare. No overhead carry-on on domestic flights (personal item only), no advance seat choice, no changes once the 24-hour window closes, and no value if you cancel. Since April 2026 it earns no MileagePlus miles for general members, and it boards last.
Economy United Economy
A full carry-on, advance seat selection, full mileage earning, and changes with no fee beyond the fare difference.
E+ Economy Plus
Extra legroom near the front of the economy cabin plus earlier boarding. Buy it at booking, or get it as a Premier member.
Prem+ United Premium Plus
International premium economy, now sold in Base, Standard, and Flexible tiers. Base charges for seat selection, includes one checked bag, and can't be changed; Standard and Flexible add seat selection, two bags, and changes, with Flexible fully refundable.
First United First
Domestic first class on U.S. routes, with wider recliner seats, better food, and priority boarding. No lie-flat seat.
Polaris United Polaris
The long-haul international business cabin with fully lie-flat seats. As of April 2026 it comes in Base, Standard, and Flexible. Standard and Flexible include Polaris Lounge access, seat selection, changes, and full miles, and let you pay to upgrade to a Polaris Studio suite. Base is the cheap way into the lie-flat seat, but it charges for seat selection, includes one checked bag, gives United Club access instead of the Polaris Lounge, and can't be changed. Check the tier before you commit.
Wi-Fi and entertainment
Free Starlink Wi-Fi is rolling out across the fleet and is complimentary for MileagePlus members on equipped aircraft, a share that's growing through 2026. On older Viasat and Panasonic planes, Wi-Fi is $8 for MileagePlus members and $10 for everyone else, and the United app shows what your specific flight has. Most widebody international jets have seat-back screens; domestic narrowbodies are a mix, with some streaming movies and TV to your phone through the app.
Check-in and boarding
Check-in opens 24 hours before departure in the United app, on united.com, at a kiosk, or at the counter. Boarding runs in six groups after pre-boarding and Global Services, with Premier members and premium cabins first and Basic Economy last in Group 6; within economy, United boards window seats before middle, then aisle. Give yourself about two hours for a domestic flight and three for international, since security at Chicago O'Hare (ORD) and Newark (EWR) can run long.
United Airlines destinations and routes
United's map is genuinely global, which is the main thing that sets it apart from a domestic low-cost carrier. From its hubs it reaches Europe, Asia, Latin America, and the Pacific, so you'll find United flights to Dubai, the islands of Greece, and beaches across Mexico. Domestically it's strong in Florida, runs service as far as Alaska, and flies year-round to Puerto Rico. Most long trips connect through a hub rather than fly point to point, so routing through Chicago, Denver, Houston, or Newark often opens up more options.
The routes travelers book most include:
Boston to Los Angeles
EWR → LHR Newark to London Heathrow
One of United's flagship transatlantic routes with multiple daily nonstops from Newark.
SFO → NRT San Francisco to Tokyo Narita
Key transpacific route from United's San Francisco hub to Japan.
ORD → FRA Chicago O'Hare to Frankfurt
Major transatlantic corridor from United's largest hub to Germany.
IAH → MEX Houston to Mexico City
United's Houston hub is the gateway to Latin America with strong Mexico City coverage.
LAX → SYD Los Angeles to Sydney
Long-haul Pacific route linking the West Coast to Australia.
EWR → CUN Newark to Cancun
Popular East Coast leisure route to Mexico's Caribbean coast.
DEN → HNL Denver to Honolulu
Mountain West to Hawaii route with seasonal and year-round service.
BOS → LAX Boston to Los Angeles
Busy transcontinental route connecting the Northeast to Southern California.
You can browse our flights page, search one-way, round-trip, or multi-city trips, and compare live United fares before you book.
How to book and find a cheaper United fare
United isn't a budget airline; it's a full-service carrier, so the lowest price is the Basic Economy fare with the trade-offs above. United's low fare calendar shows the cheapest days at a glance, and you can compare nearby airports to shave the price further.
No domestic carry-on can mean a $65 gate charge, and no change rights means the whole fare is gone if your plans move. Once you add that up, standard United Economy is often the better value.
Chicago, Denver, Houston, and Newark turn up the most competitive connecting fares. If your city isn't a hub, routing through one often beats a nonstop from a smaller airport.
Five to eight weeks out for domestic and three to five months for international tends to be the sweet spot, before demand pushes prices up.
Check the low fare calendar and price match, and watch our deals page for current specials and last-minute United fares.
Frequently asked questions
How do I book a United Airlines flight?
Search your dates and route on the FaresMatch flights page, then book online or with an advisor. You can book one-way, round-trip, or multi-city United flights, choose your cabin from Basic Economy up to Polaris business class, and add your MileagePlus number to earn miles. Booking earlier generally means a lower fare.
Does Basic Economy on United include a carry-on bag?
Not on domestic U.S. flights. Basic Economy includes a personal item only; bring a full-size carry-on to the gate and you pay a $65 gate-check fee. International Basic Economy generally does allow a full-size carry-on.
How much are checked bags on United Airlines in 2026?
On domestic flights and routes to Mexico, Canada, and Latin America, effective April 3, 2026, the first checked bag is $45 prepaid or $50 at the airport, and the second is $55 prepaid or $60. A third bag is $200. MileagePlus Premier members, United Chase cardholders, active military, and premium-cabin passengers check at least one bag free.
What is United Polaris, and what changed in 2026?
United Polaris is the long-haul international business cabin with fully lie-flat seats. Since April 3, 2026 it comes in three tiers: Base, Standard, and Flexible. Standard and Flexible include Polaris Lounge access, seat selection, and changes, with Flexible fully refundable. Base is cheaper but charges for seat selection, includes one checked bag, gives United Club access instead of the Polaris Lounge, and cannot be changed.
Does United Airlines have free Wi-Fi?
On Starlink-equipped aircraft, yes: Wi-Fi is free for MileagePlus members, and membership is free to join. On older Viasat and Panasonic planes, Wi-Fi costs $8 for MileagePlus members and $10 for non-members. The United app shows which system your specific flight has.
Is United a budget airline?
No. United is a full-service carrier and a founding member of Star Alliance, with cabins from Basic Economy up to lie-flat Polaris business class. Its budget option is the Basic Economy fare, so you get a low price by choosing that fare rather than by flying a low-cost airline.
Does United Airlines have a 24-hour cancellation policy?
Yes. You can cancel any United ticket within 24 hours of booking for a full refund, as long as the flight departs at least 7 days out. After that window, Basic Economy generally has no value, while standard Economy and higher fares get a travel credit minus any applicable fee.
How do I change or cancel a United flight booked through FaresMatch?
Call FaresMatch at +1-800-918-3039. Advisors handle the change or cancellation, explain the credits or fees that apply to your fare type, and rebook you if needed.
Find the best United fare
Want to compare United on your route? A FaresMatch advisor will check United fares alongside all other airlines to make sure you pick the right cabin and the best overall price.
Information sourced from united.com and verified travel reporting, current as of June 2026. Fees and policies change often, so confirm the current details before you book. FaresMatch is an independent travel platform with no direct tie-up or affiliation with United Airlines or any other carrier.