United Express is the regional brand of United Airlines. Under the United Express brand, six individually owned airlines operate regional flights. The airlines fly across North America, serving destinations in the US, Canada and Mexico but with the majority of its operations flying domestically within the US.
The brand was founded in 1985 and launched by United as a way for the airline to cover more ground regionally, while the parent company focussed on its mainline flights. Although United Express is a brand, it's not actually an airline itself. The United Express brand is made up of seven independent airlines that fly on behalf of the brand and adhere to the operational standards set out by United and United Express.
Due to the brand not operating with a single airline, the airline has seven different hubs, one for each airline that flies on its behalf. These are at Chicago (ORD), Denver (DEN), Houston (IAH), Los Angeles (LAX), Newark (EWR), San Francisco (SFO) and Washington (IAD).
United Express covers all major destinations in the US, as well as many smaller ones, which makes it one of the top choices for flying around the US and other parts of North America.
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United has a different baggage policy for carry-on baggage and checked baggage. On United flights, you're allowed to bring 1 personal item with you (22 cm x 25 cm x 43 cm).
Passengers are given free carry-on baggage allowance that includes one carry-on bag and one personal item.
The carry-on bag must fit within the dimensions of 22 cm x 35 cm x 56 cm (9" x 14" x 22"). The personal item must fit within the dimensions of 22 cm x 25 cm x 43 cm (9" x 10" x 17").
Passengers in Economy Class must purchase checked baggage on all flights operated by United Express. Checked baggage is available to purchase at a cost. Excess baggage can be added to your booking during the booking process, check out our 'step-by-step' guide on how to book bags to find out more.
United has 2 cabin classes - Economy Class and Business Class. Whether you fly in Economy or Business, United will provide a 5-star service.
Facilities
Choose from a wide range of food and beverages (dependant on your route and flight duration). This can entail a variety of packaged snacks, meals and wine or soft drinks. There is ample storage in the overhead storage bins. Air-con and lighting is adjustable. Some seats are outfitted with power sockets.
What are seats like?
Relax in comfortable seating, which includes padded headrests and armrests.
Economy Plus
You can have up to 5 inches of extra legroom based near the front of the cabin. This seating is available on all United and United Express flights.
12+ Business Class seats available on United Express flights.
Facilities
Business class passengers can relax in a separate cabin or curtained-off front area. All first class seats have power sockets, and meals/snacks and drinks are complementary, depending on the route.
What are seats like?
Seats are arranged in a 2-1 configuration. There is much more pitch, width, and personal space.
When flying with United Express, you can check in online 24 hours prior to your flight departure time. Alternatively, you can check in at an airport desk.
Passengers can check-in for their flights through the United Express online check-in page. Check-in can be completed by entering the e-ticket number and last name attached to the booking. Online check-in is open from 24 hours before flight departure time.
Passengers can also check-in at the airport. This can either be done through the airport check-in counters at the airport of departure or through the self-service kiosks.
For domestic flights, passengers must check-in at least 30 minutes before flight departure time if they don't have baggage to check and at least 45 minutes before flight departure time if they do have baggage to check.
For international flights, passengers must check-in at least 60 minutes before flight departure time if they don't have baggage to check and at least 90 minutes before flight departure time if they do have baggage to check.
United Express frequent flyer programme is called 'MileagePlus'.
Because United Express is part of United Airlines, you can collect MileagePlus points when you buy your Unite Express flights. When you make a reservation with us, you can easily link your airline loyalty scheme to your flight purchase– if you want any further information on how to do so, check out our Airline Alliance page. If you want to find out which frequent flyer programs are the best to join, have a look at our Frequent Flyer Blog.
United Express (and therefore the operators mentioned above) are part of the world-renowned Star Alliance. If you're a MileagePlus customer, you can collect miles on any Star Alliance partner flights.
Please click on the logos below to find out more about airlines that fly similar routes to United Express:
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United Express is a brand, under which 7 carriers operate regional, domestic, and a few international flights to over 500 destinations across the US, Canada and Mexico. Popular cities include Albuquerque, Atlanta, Austin, Charlotte, Chihuahua, Colorado Springs, Dallas, Denver, Edmonton, El Paso, Fargo, Fresno-Yosemite, Houston, Lincoln, Milwaukee, Montreal, New York City, Oklahoma, Ottawa, Philadelphia, Quebec, Richmond, San Antonio, Syracuse, Tulsa, Washington D.C and many more.
United Express doesn't have a single hub airport. The seven airlines that operate on behalf of United Express have several hubs that use for the flights that fly for the airline. These include:
United Express provides some great options for domestic flights in the USA. If you are looking for some more information on domestic flights, head to our dedicated page for some facts and FAQs.
When you book United Express flights, or flights with any of the 600+ airlines available to book through Alternative Airlines, we give you the option to add travel insurance to your booking. This entitles you to a refund if you need to cancel your flight. For this extra peace-of-mind, simply select 'Cancellation Protection' to your booking at checkout.
United Express use planes manufactured by Embraer and Bombardier, with models from the Bombardier CRJ series and Embraer ERJ and E-jet family.
These are the airlines that operate flights on behalf of United Express, using the United Express brand.
Air Wisconsin: Chicago O'Hare (ORD), Denver International (DEN), Washington-Dulles (IAD)
CommutAir: Newark Liberty (EWR), Washington-Dulles (IAD)
ExpressJet: Chicago O'Hare (ORD), Denver International (DEN), Houston (IAH), Newark Liberty (EWR)
GoJet Airlines: Chicago O'Hare (ORD), Newark Liberty (EWR)
Mesa Airlines: Houston (IAH), Washington-Dulles (IAD)
Republic Airways: Chicago O'Hare (ORD), Denver International (DEN), Houston (IAH), Newark Liberty (EWR), Washington-Dulles (IAD)
SkyWest Airlines: Chicago O'Hare (ORD), Denver International (DEN), Houston (IAH), Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco International (SFO), Washington-Dulles (IAD)