Hello, I am planning a trip BUF-EWR-SFO in February. The BUF-EWR leg is on a small plane like 90-seater. Will I be allowed to bring my 20" suitcase as a carry-on, are there overhead bins?

Or it must be gate-checked? If yes, only till EWR or all the way to SFO? If till EWR, will it be returned at the gate, or will I have to go to the luggage carousel? It is important for me as I am disabled.

The overhead bins on the small plane will not accommodate a 20” carryon. You’ll gate check your 20” carryon bag when you board the plane at BUF and you’ll get it back on the jetway as you exit the plane at EWR - no need to go to the baggage claim area. You’ll be able to carry on your bag when you board the larger plane at EWR.

Thank you, Roams, this is very helpful!

Hi I haven't flown UA in a long time -- mostly AA. Just a warning -- at many airports (I'm talking AA here but I'd guess UA is similar) gate checked bags are in the jetway, but at some they are retrieved at baggage claim. Just last weekend flying from SMF to SEA I was surprised to hear announcements when they were asking for volunteers to gate check that their bags would be at the Carousel in baggage claim.

I don't know the procedure at EWR and RoamsAround probably does so you are likely OK - but just a heads up

I do recommend you ask for wheelchair assistance - it is a HUGE help and they will take you right to your gate at EWR -- even if it ends up you having to go to baggage claim first . . .


OR -- maybe consider taking a slightly larger personal item with everything you'd need on the flights plus any meds/important items, and check the 20 incher all the way through from BUF to SFO so it won't matter where gate checks end up.

Thank you, Janis!

There is no way to be sure. Don't put anything you absolutely need or anything that can't be replaced in a gate-checked bag. I don't believe any promise about where your bag will be. Take a smaller bag for carryon and if needed another bag to be checked through.

PS I avoid AA as much as possible. I save the miles I have for Alaska Airlines. It has also been ages since I've been on a United Flight.

Thank you, MLGB.

A 90-seater is a pretty big "small" plane. I'll bet you can get that 20" case on there and have no doubt other folks will be trying to do so.

If you were talking about a 50-seater with 1 x 2 seating, that would be different.

Would probably be Embraer 170, more like 76 seats. Your bag shoud fit sideways. Handicapped, so board with the pre-boarding group and you should find plenty of available bin space.

United Airlines Fleet & Aircraft Information | United Airlines

I could have mentioned that I checked for BUF-> EWR in February (15th or 16th) and saw four United flights for the day. The first and last were B-737 and the other two were E-170. And thepointsguy said there is room for carry-on and other photos seemed to confirm.