United Airlines
United Airlines (UA) is a Full-Service airline based in USA, with its main hub at Chicago O'Hare, a member of Star Alliance. Browse seat maps, carry-on baggage rules, and fleet information.
United Airlines operates one of the largest route networks in the world, with a hub system centered on Chicago O'Hare, Denver, Houston, Newark, San Francisco, and other major cities. A founding member of Star Alliance, United has invested heavily in its Polaris long-haul business class and is rolling out Starlink satellite Wi-Fi across its mainline fleet, aiming to make it free and dramatically faster than legacy in-flight internet.
Airline Information
- IATA code: UA
- Country: USA
- Hub: Chicago O'Hare
- Alliance: Star Alliance
- Tier: Full-Service
- Customer support: 1-800-864-8331
Cabin Classes
- Basic Economy: United's lowest fare — no seat selection until check-in on most fares, boards in the last group, and carry-on restrictions apply on some routes.
- Economy: Standard cabin with a free carry-on and checked personal item, seat selection, and full mileage earning.
- Economy Plus: Extra legroom seating (up to 6 more inches of pitch) in a dedicated cabin section near the front of economy. Free for Premier Gold and above.
- United Premium Plus: A premium-economy cabin on long-haul international wide-bodies with wider, more reclined seats, amenity kits, and priority boarding.
- United Polaris: United's flagship long-haul business class — fully lie-flat seats with direct aisle access on most wide-body aircraft, plus Polaris lounge access at select hubs.
MileagePlus Loyalty Program
Elite tiers: Premier Silver, Gold, Platinum, and 1K
Premier status is earned through Premier Qualifying Points (PQP) from flight spend. Elite members get complimentary Economy Plus seating, upgrade priority, and (at higher tiers) United Club lounge access.
In-Flight Wi-Fi
Available on most mainline aircraft; free on a growing number of routes
Cost: Free for MileagePlus members on Starlink-equipped aircraft; otherwise roughly $8+ per flight
United is progressively installing Starlink satellite Wi-Fi across its regional and mainline fleet through 2025-2026, replacing older, slower satellite systems — availability still depends on which aircraft is assigned to your flight.
Pro Tips
- Check the United app for your specific tail number before flying — Wi-Fi speed varies enormously between Starlink-equipped planes and older aircraft.
- Economy Plus seats can often be booked a la carte at checkout for less than the cost of a full upgrade — worth it on transcontinental or 5+ hour flights.
- United's 737 MAX 8 and most 777/787 wide-bodies have Polaris business class with direct aisle access from every seat — ask for these aircraft on long-haul routes when possible.
- MileagePlus has no blackout dates on standard award tickets — use the United app's map-based award search to find last-minute mileage deals.
Frequently Asked Questions
What cabin classes does United Airlines offer?
United has five tiers: Basic Economy, Economy, Economy Plus (extra-legroom economy), United Premium Plus (premium economy on wide-bodies), and United Polaris (long-haul business class with lie-flat seats). Domestic first class is offered on mainline routes without Polaris.
Is Wi-Fi free on United flights?
United is rolling out free Starlink satellite Wi-Fi for MileagePlus members (free to join) across its fleet through 2025-2026. Coverage depends on which aircraft operates your flight — older, non-Starlink planes may still charge around $8 or more per flight.
How does United MileagePlus Premier status work?
Premier status has four tiers — Silver, Gold, Platinum, and 1K — earned via Premier Qualifying Points from flight spend. Elite members receive complimentary Economy Plus seating, priority boarding, upgrade priority, and United Club lounge access at Platinum and 1K.
What are United's main hub airports?
United's largest hubs are Chicago O'Hare (ORD), Denver (DEN), Houston Intercontinental (IAH), Newark (EWR), San Francisco (SFO), and Washington Dulles (IAD), giving it one of the most extensive domestic and international networks of any US carrier.
Does United charge for checked bags?
Yes, on most domestic economy fares: the first checked bag is typically around $35 and the second around $45. MileagePlus Premier members and holders of eligible United co-branded credit cards get free checked bags.