Lowest fare
Basic Economy
- Seat assigned at check-in
- Changes not allowed on most fares
- Carry-on rules are stricter — check your route
Airline Guide UA · Star Alliance
United Airlines flights with the widest global reach.
United connects eight hubs — including San Francisco, Newark and Houston — to more international destinations than any other U.S. airline, with Star Alliance partners filling in the rest.
Airline profile
Updated 21 October 2026
- IATA / ICAO
- UA / UAL
- Hubs
- Chicago, Denver, Newark +5
- Alliance
- Star Alliance
- Loyalty
- MileagePlus
- Cabins
- Basic Economy to Polaris
- Founded
- 1926
Search My Trip is an independent travel agency, not United Airlines. We help you compare and book UA flights; check-in, seats and onboard service are handled by the airline.
- 8Hubs incl. Guam
- 1997Co-founded Star Alliance
- PolarisLong-haul business
- 1926Roots date back to
Why United
More of the world, nonstop
United is the U.S. airline to check first for Asia-Pacific and for long international routes. San Francisco and Los Angeles face the Pacific, Newark and Washington Dulles face Europe and Africa, and Houston covers Latin America.
8Hubs
Free Wi-FiStarlink for MileagePlus members
PolarisLie-flat long-haul business
Pacific network
From San Francisco, Los Angeles and Guam, United serves more of Asia and Australia than other U.S. airlines.
Polaris lounges
Dedicated lounges for Polaris business passengers at major hubs.
Star Alliance partners
Lufthansa, Air Canada, ANA, Singapore Airlines and more on the same ticket.
Free Starlink Wi-Fi
Free for MileagePlus members on fitted aircraft — United aims for about 1,000 planes by the end of 2026.
Why book United Airlines with us
- Right gateway chosen
San Francisco, Newark, Washington or Houston — we pick the hub that fits your trip.
- Basic Economy explained
We tell you if your fare includes a carry-on and seat choice before you pay.
- Partners compared
Lufthansa, Air Canada or ANA connections can be cheaper on the same ticket.
- 24/7 help
Real people for changes, cancellations and refunds.
Routes to watch
Popular United Airlines routes
Popular nonstop routes
SFOEWR
San Francisco → Newark
~5h 30m
Live fares
ORDDEN
Chicago → Denver
~2h 45m
Live fares
IAHLAX
Houston → Los Angeles
~3h 30m
Live fares
IADSFO
Washington → San Francisco
~6h 00m
Live fares
From Columbus on United
CMHHND
Columbus → Tokyo
See schedules
Live fares
CMHLHR
Columbus → London
See schedules
Live fares
CMHCUN
Columbus → Cancun
See schedules
Live fares
CMHHNL
Columbus → Honolulu
See schedules
Live fares
Flight times are typical scheduled durations and can vary by season. Click a route to see live prices and availability for your dates.
Where United connects
Eight hubs, three oceans
ORD
Chicago O'Hare
Midwest & Europe
DEN
Denver
Mountain West
IAH
Houston
Latin America
EWR
Newark
New York area & Europe
SFO
San Francisco
Asia & Pacific
IAD
Washington Dulles
Europe & Africa
LAX
Los Angeles
Pacific & Australia
GUM
Guam
Micronesia
Most United connections run through one of these hubs. For Asia start from San Francisco, for Europe from Newark or Washington Dulles, and for Latin America from Houston.
- EuropeNonstops from several hubs, plus Lufthansa Group connections.
- Asia & PacificJapan, Korea, Southeast Asia, Australia and the Pacific islands.
- Latin AmericaMexico, Central and South America, mostly via Houston.
- Africa & Middle EastSelected routes from Newark and Washington Dulles, plus partner connections.
Choose your seat
From Basic Economy to Polaris
Standard
Economy
- Seat selection
- Economy Plus extra-legroom rows
- Meals on long-haul flights
Premium economy
Premium Plus
- Wider seat with more recline
- Upgraded meals
- Priority boarding
- On most long-haul jets
Long-haul business
Polaris
- Lie-flat seat with aisle access
- Polaris lounge access at eligible hubs
- Larger bag allowance
Pack right
United Airlines baggage at a glance
Carry-onBasic Economy is more restricted on many routes
1 bag + personal item
Checked, domesticFree for elites and some cardholders
Paid on most fares
Checked, long-haulIncluded on many international Economy fares
Often 1 bag
Premium cabinsPolaris and United First, higher weight limit
Usually 2 bags
Bag rules depend on route, fare and status, and United updates them from time to time. Confirm on your booking before you fly.
MileagePlus
Premier status measured in PQP
MileagePlus Premier status is earned with Premier Qualifying Points (PQP), plus a minimum number of flights, on United and Star Alliance partners. MileagePlus miles do not expire, and members get free Starlink Wi-Fi on fitted aircraft.
- 1 Premier Silver Star Alliance Silver
- 2 Premier Gold Star Alliance Gold
- 3 Premier Platinum Star Alliance Gold
- 4 Premier 1K Star Alliance Gold
Tier names, requirements and benefits are set by United Airlines and can change.
From our travel desk
Tips for cheaper United Airlines fares
-
Choose the right gateway
San Francisco for Asia, Newark or Washington for Europe, Houston for Latin America.
-
Read Basic Economy rules
The cheapest fare can exclude a full-size carry-on and seat choice. Compare with standard Economy.
-
Check Star Alliance partners
A Lufthansa or Air Canada connection on one ticket can be cheaper or faster.
-
Give Newark connections time
Newark can be congested — a longer layover is a safer bet.
-
Add your MileagePlus number
Add it when booking so every flight counts — it also unlocks free Wi-Fi on board.
Your UA ticket in four steps
-
Step 1
Search
Enter your cities and dates and filter the results to United Airlines.
-
Step 2
Compare
See fares, stops and cabins side by side with taxes shown up front.
-
Step 3
Add details
Enter traveller names exactly as on ID and add your MileagePlus number.
-
Step 4
Fly
Get your confirmation by email, then check in with United Airlines before you fly.
Good to know
United Airlines FAQs
Is Search My Trip the same as United Airlines?
No. Search My Trip is an independent travel agency. We help you search, compare and book United Airlines flights, but we are not owned by or affiliated with the airline.
Which hubs does United use?
Chicago O'Hare, Denver, Houston, Newark, San Francisco, Washington Dulles, Los Angeles and Guam.
Do MileagePlus miles expire?
No. United removed mileage expiration in 2019.
Is a carry-on included in Basic Economy?
Not on many routes. Basic Economy usually allows a personal item only, with exceptions on some international routes — check your itinerary.
Which alliance is United in?
Star Alliance, which it co-founded in 1997 with Lufthansa, Air Canada and others.
Does United have free Wi-Fi?
Yes on aircraft fitted with Starlink, free for MileagePlus members (joining is free). Most narrow-body jets already have it, and United started adding it to wide-body jets in June 2026.
What is Polaris Studio?
A larger Polaris business suite with a door, in the front row of each business cabin on United's new Boeing 787-9s. It is only on those aircraft, so check the seat map when you book.
Can I book United Airlines over the phone?
Yes. Our travel experts can help you compare fares, connections and bag allowances and book for you. Call +1 (855) 447-1880 any time — we're available 24/7. You can also book directly on the airline's own website.
Talk to an expert
Flying United at home or abroad?
Tell us your dates — we will compare hubs, fare types and Star Alliance options and find the best option.
Search My Trip is an independent travel agency and is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by United Airlines. Airline names and programme names are trademarks of their respective owners and are used here only to describe the flights we help you book. Airline policies change, so always confirm details with the airline before you travel. Last updated 21 October 2026.
Photos via Wikimedia Commons, cropped and resized: Famartin (CC BY-SA 4.0); 4300streetcar (CC BY 4.0).
