Legacy / full-service network carrier · Star Alliance (founding member, 1997)

United Airlines (UA)

United Airlines is one of three legacy US network carriers and historically has the broadest international footprint of the group, particularly across the Pacific. The airline operates seven main hubs spanning every US time zone, including the only US west-coast hub at San Francisco that is built around long-haul Asia flying and the New York-area hub at Newark. The current company emerged from the 2010 merger of United and Continental, which combined Continental's Houston and Newark strengths with United's Chicago, Denver, San Francisco, and Los Angeles network. United is a founding member of Star Alliance and holds deep joint ventures with Lufthansa Group, Air Canada, ANA, and Virgin Australia. The mainline fleet of around 1,020 aircraft is in the middle of the largest order book in commercial aviation, with hundreds of 737 MAX, A321neo, 787, and 777-9 deliveries scheduled.

Founded   1926 HQ   Chicago, Illinois ICAO   UAL

Hubs

IATA Airport Role
ORDChicago O'HareLargest hub by departures; Midwest and Asia/Europe gateway
DENDenverMountain West hub, fastest-growing United hub
IAHHouston Bush IntercontinentalLatin America gateway
EWRNewark LibertyPrimary New York hub and transatlantic gateway
SFOSan FranciscoTrans-Pacific gateway
LAXLos AngelesPacific gateway
IADWashington DullesInternational gateway for the DC area
GUMGuamMicronesia hub for the Pacific island network
Fleet
Approximately 1,020 mainline aircraft (2026)
Main types: Boeing 737-700/800/900ER/MAX 8/MAX 9 · Airbus A319/A320/A321neo · Boeing 757-200/300 · Boeing 767-300ER/400ER · Boeing 777-200/200ER/300ER · Boeing 787-8/9/10
Massive 'United Next' fleet renewal under way, with hundreds of 737 MAX and A321neo narrowbodies plus 787-9/10 and 777-9 widebodies on order to replace the 757, 767, and older 777-200s.
Frequent flyer
MileagePlus
Tiers: MileagePlus Member · Premier Silver · Premier Gold · Premier Platinum · Premier 1K · Global Services (invitation only)
Earning: Premier Qualifying Points (PQP) are revenue-based, with a Premier Qualifying Flights (PQF) backstop on segment count. Award miles are earned per US dollar spent on tickets and partner activity.
Co-brand cards: United Chase portfolio (Gateway, Explorer, Quest, Club, plus business variants).
Customer service
Phone: 1-800-864-8331 (24/7)
Twitter/X: @united
US Department of Transportation complaints: transportation.gov/airconsumer

Baggage policy

Carry-onOne personal item plus one carry-on (22 x 14 x 9 in / 56 x 36 x 23 cm) free in Economy and above. Basic Economy passengers are limited to a personal item only on most domestic routes; the full carry-on is allowed on most international Basic Economy fares.
First checked bag (domestic)$35 domestic ($30 if pre-paid online); free for MileagePlus Premier Silver and above, Star Alliance Gold, premium-cabin passengers, and most United-branded Chase cardholders.
Second checked bag (domestic)$45 domestic.
Weight / size limits50 lb / 23 kg per bag, 62 linear inches (158 cm) total dimensions.
First international checkedYes on most international economy fares except Basic Economy on selected markets.

Verify current fees on the carrier's site before booking — US airlines update bag pricing several times per year.

Regional partners & subsidiaries

United Express (regional brand)
SkyWest Airlines, Republic Airways, GoJet Airlines, Mesa Airlines, CommutAir, and Air Wisconsin under capacity-purchase contracts.

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