United gets tough on carry-on bags
United Airlines is getting tough with oversized carry-on bags.
Although its rules haven’t changed, the carrier enforcing its policy more strictly.
It has installed new equipment for checking bag sizes at many airports and also e-mailed frequent flyers with a reminder of its carry-on policy. Those who turn up with bags that are larger than permitted are, in some cases, being charged to check them in.
According to an internal newsletter, it is a "renewed focus on carry-on compliance."
The airline’s passengers are allowed to take one bag aboard measuring no more than 22x14x9 inches, along with an additional small item such as a laptop bag or small handbag.
United’s long-standing policy has been to allow oversized bags to be checked-in for free, but now anyone stopped at security with bulky luggage will be sent back to the ticket counter to check in each bag for $25.
United said it hopes to speed up the boarding process and ultimately, the time an aircraft spends on the tarmac.
Earlier this year United’s chief revenue officer Jim Compton said the carrier was hoping to earn an extra $700 million in ancillary fees over the next four years.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Turkish tourism stalls due to soaring prices for accommodation and food
CCS Insight: eSIMs ready to take the travel world by storm
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers