Traveling With Baggage: Navigating Alaska Airlines' Policies

Alaska Airlines has a clear-cut baggage policy that is simple to understand and customer-friendly. The airline allows each passenger to bring one carry-on bag and one personal item, such as a purse, briefcase, or laptop, free of charge. The standard size for carry-on luggage is 22 x 14 x 9 inches, and there is no weight limit, but passengers must be able to lift their bag into the overhead compartment unaided. For checked baggage, fees vary depending on the number of bags, weight, and dimensions. The standard fee for the first checked bag is $35, $45 for the second, and $150 for the third. However, these fees can be waived for certain passengers, including Alaska Airlines credit card holders, Elite-level Mileage Plan members, and US military personnel.

Carry-on baggage: what you can bring on board for free

When travelling with Alaska Airlines, you are allowed to bring one carry-on bag and one personal item on board for free. This applies to all passengers, including those with Saver fares. Your carry-on bag must not exceed 22 x 14 x 9 inches (55.88 x 35.56 x 22.86 cm) or 45 linear inches, including handles and wheels. Alaska Airlines does not specify a weight limit for carry-on luggage, but you must be able to lift the bag into the overhead compartment unaided.

You can bring the following items on board in addition to your carry-on bag and personal item, without charge:

• A coat, hat, and umbrella (compact size)
• A pillow for personal use
• Food for immediate consumption
• A reasonable amount of reading material
• Prescription medications and medical devices
• Service animals
• Mobility/medical assistive devices

If you are travelling with an infant, you can also bring the following without charge:

• An FAA-approved child/infant restraint seat
• A stroller (space guaranteed only with the purchase of a ticket for the infant)

To make the boarding process as smooth as possible, Alaska Airlines recommends that you stow at least one of your items (either your carry-on bag or personal item) under the seat in front of you.

Checked baggage: fees and weight/size limits

Alaska Airlines has a clear-cut baggage policy. The fees for checked baggage depend on the route and cabin, and the number of bags you are checking in.

Fees for Checked Baggage

For flights purchased on or after 2 January 2024, the fees for checked baggage are as follows:

• First bag: $35
• Second bag: $45
• Third bag: $150
• Additional bags: $150 each

Weight and Size Limits for Checked Baggage

All checked bags must adhere to a maximum weight of 50 pounds (23 kg) and maximum linear dimensions of 62 inches (158 cm).

Overweight and Oversized Baggage Fees

If your bag is overweight (51-100 pounds) or oversized (63-115 inches), you will be charged additional fees. The fees for overweight and oversized bags are as follows:

• Overweight fee: $100 per bag
• Oversized fee: $150 per bag

Waivers and Exemptions

Checked baggage fees are waived for certain passengers, including:

• Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card holders
• Elite-level Mileage Plan members
• First-class passengers
• Active-duty U.S. military personnel and their dependents

Exemptions: when you don't have to pay

When travelling with Alaska Airlines, there are several exemptions from baggage fees for select customers.

Firstly, Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card holders get their first checked bag free. This benefit extends to up to six passengers travelling on the same reservation.

Secondly, Elite-level Mileage Plan members, including MVP, MVP Gold, Oneworld Ruby, and Oneworld Sapphire, get their first and second checked bags free. MVP Gold 75K, MVP Gold 100K, and Oneworld Emerald members receive three checked bags free.

Thirdly, passengers confirmed in first class at check-in get their first and second checked bags free.

Finally, active-duty US military personnel and their dependents on travel orders get up to five free checked bags. These bags can weigh up to 70 pounds and be up to 115 linear inches without incurring overweight or oversize fees.

In addition to these exemptions, certain items are also exempt from baggage charges, including strollers, car seats, and mobility aids.

Sports equipment: what you can bring and for free

If you're planning on travelling with sports equipment on Alaska Airlines, there are a few things you need to know.

Firstly, sports equipment items are accepted as checked baggage, but each piece must be properly packed in a soft- or hard-sided case designed specifically for the equipment. If your travel includes multiple airlines, different restrictions may apply.

Secondly, certain sports equipment items are subject to standard checked baggage fees and waivers, while others are considered oversize and will incur additional charges.

Here's a breakdown of what you can bring for free and what will cost extra:

Individual sports equipment pieces (subject to standard checked baggage fees and waivers):

• Bicycles (non-motorized)
• Hockey/Lacrosse equipment
• Kiteboarding equipment
• Surfboards/Paddleboards
• Windsurfing equipment

Oversize sports equipment (subject to standard checked baggage, overweight, or oversize fees):

• Kayaks (not accepted on flights operated by Horizon Air or SkyWest on behalf of Alaska Airlines)
• Fishing equipment (rods, reels, tackle box)
• Hockey/Lacrosse equipment (sticks, skates, pads, pucks, gloves, etc.)
• Kiteboarding equipment (kiteboard, fin(s), foil or leading-edge inflatable kite, control bar, flying lines, helmet, personal flotation device)
• Pole vaults (maximum dimensions vary depending on aircraft)
• Scuba equipment (gear container, tank, regulator, tank harness, pressure gauge, mask, fins, snorkel, knife, spear gun, safety vest)
• Skis/Snowboards (skis with poles or snowboard, boot/helmet bag)
• Surfboards/Paddleboards (up to two boards inside a case, including a paddle for paddleboards)
• Windsurfing equipment (board, mast, boom, sail; maximum mast length varies depending on aircraft)

Additionally, bicycles must be packaged in a case designed specifically for bicycles, with handlebars turned sideways, pedals removed, and all other protruding parts padded.

Camping equipment and fuel containers that once contained liquid fuel are allowed as long as the fuel system is completely dry and no fuel odour is evident. Self-heating meals, propane, and empty propane tanks are not permitted as carry-on or checked baggage and must be shipped as cargo.

For firearms and shooting equipment, please refer to Alaska Airlines' Transporting Firearms policy.

It's important to note that standard checked baggage fees for your first and second bags may be waived if you are an Alaska Airlines credit card holder, an Elite-level Mileage Plan member, or a passenger confirmed in first class at check-in. Active-duty military personnel and their dependents on travel orders are also exempt from checked baggage fees for up to five bags.

Pets: fees and restrictions

Alaska Airlines provides a pet travel program called Fur-st Class Care, which offers safe transportation options for your pets from just $100.

How to Book Pet Travel on Alaska Airlines

• Book your passenger ticket on alaskaair.com.
• Review the policies for pet travel to determine which travel option is right for you and your pet.
• Contact reservations by starting a chat or calling 1-800-252-7522 to reserve space for your pet.

Policies and Preparation for Pet Travel

It is important to review the pet policies to understand health certificate and carrier requirements, breed restrictions, and any limitations on travel to your destination.

• Pets that fit in an under-seat carrier can travel in the cabin.
• Pets can also travel in the climate-controlled baggage compartment.
• Pet travel fees: $100 per pet in the cabin, and $150 per pet travelling in the baggage compartment.
• Pet travel fees will be collected at the airport and do not apply to service animals.
• Space for pets travelling in the cabin or baggage compartment is subject to availability.
• Pets travelling in the baggage compartment are subject to breed restrictions, travel date embargoes, and fleet restrictions.
• If your plans include travel on another airline, you must contact the partner airline directly to reserve space, determine fees, and obtain additional information.

Traveling with a Service Animal

Alaska Airlines welcomes trained service animals on their flights at no charge. The only service animal permitted is a service dog, including psychiatric service animals. A maximum of two service dogs are accepted per guest, and they must not exceed the footprint or personal space of your seat or foot area during the flight.

If your itinerary includes travel on a partner airline, you must contact them directly to review and complete their service animal requirements in addition to Alaska Airlines'.

Hawaii Travel Requirements

The Hawaii Department of Agriculture requires the owners of service dogs to present appropriate health documentation. As Hawaii is the only rabies-free state, there are strict guidelines and specific programs that must be completed before your service animal will be accepted. Service animals arriving without proper documentation may be quarantined for up to 120 days in Honolulu at the owner's expense.

International Travel Recommendations

If you are travelling outside of the US with your service animal, it is recommended that you contact the appropriate consulate or embassy at least four weeks prior to departure to ensure you understand and can obtain the specific documentation required for entry. Failure to do so may result in your animal being placed in quarantine upon arrival, and any associated costs will be your responsibility.

Frequently asked questions