Alaska Airlines is a major American airline service, especially in North America. it operates nearly 1,200 daily flights in the United States, Mexico, Canada, and Costa Rica. This company serves more than 115 destinations. Alaska Airlines has 400 public-use airports and 282 land-based airports.
Alaska Airlines provide premium services as well as budget-friendly fares with additional services of baggage, lounge, and in-flight facilities. If you are a passionate traveller, planning for air travel or seeking travel information, this article will assist you like a virtual travel guide. For a hassle-free air travel experience, you will find this to be very handy. Air travel is a significant part of travelling, and as a traveller, one should be acquainted with carrying on size, weight, and limits guidelines. Whether you choose to travel with Alaska Airlines, you can have one carry-on bag plus one personal item. Let’s dive into the details of Alaska Airlines’ carry-on size guidelines.
Alaska Airlines provides one carry-on bag and one personal item free of cost. You are allowed to carry 22″ x 14″ x 9″ or 45” linear dimensions and up to 22 lbs (10 kg) as a carry-on per bag. You have to pay for the checked bags. The maximum size for a checked bag is 62 inches and, the weight is 50 lbs (23 kg). per bag. A checked bag fee for Domestic economy flights is $30 for the first checked-in bag, $40 for the second, and $100 for every additional checked bag. Premium and first-class flights require no fee for the first two checked bags and the third bag will cost $100.
Alaska Airline Carry-on Size
Alaska airline offers several baggage services. According to your necessity, you can pick one or all of the services. Before getting on the plane, it is wise to know what allowance applies to you. You can get a glimpse of Alaska Airline Baggage Measurements and fees from the following chart.
Alaska Baggage Measurement & Fees Chart:
| Baggage Category | Fee | Max Weight | Max Size (including wheels and handle) |
| Carry-on luggage | Free of charge | 22Ib (10 kg) | 22″ x 14″ x 9″ or 45” |
| Checked baggage First checked bag, Second checked bag, Third checked bag | $30 $40 $100 | 50Ib (23 kg) each | 62” each |
| Excess Baggage Overweight Bag Oversize Bag | $100 $100 | 51-100lb 50lb | 62” 63”-115” |
Alaska airline carry-on luggage
Carry-on baggage is one which air travellers can take with them into the plane. Alaska airline passengers can have one carry-on bag and one personal item such as a purse, briefcase, or laptop bag free of cost. Passengers can put these bags into the overhead bin or under the front seat. The maximum size of carry-on luggage is 22″ x 14″ x 9″ dimension including the bags’ wheel and handle and passengers cannot carry more than 22lb in the carry-on luggage. Under Transportation Security Administration rules and regulations (TSA), the following items are allowed in a carry-on bag.
- Small Tools (Less than seven inches)
- Nonflammable liquids, gels, and aerosols(Less than or equal to 3.4 ounces)
- Matches and Lighters (Strike match anywhere during the journey is strictly prohibited)
- Batteries
- Knitting Needles
- Gift
- Electronics (portable electronic items)
- Medication
- Baby Food
- Expensive Items.
Alaska Airlines Checked Baggage
Checked bags are transported in the cargo area of the plane. On Alaska Airlines service, you have to pay for the checked baggage. You can make payments during online check-ins or at the airport. Passengers have to pay for the checked baggage. Standard bag fees for the first bag are $30, for the second bag is $40, third and every additional bag require $100. Checked bags can weigh up to 50lbs and have a maximum dimension of 62″ linear.
Alaska Airlines Overweight and Oversize baggage policy
Alaska airline considers overweight and oversize if any bag exceeds 62″ (linear dimension) and 52 lb. or 23kg. Every oversized and weighted baggage incurs extra fees.
- Baggage weight between 51lb to 100lb will go under the overweight bags policy and, every overweight bag costs $100.
- Baggage sizes between 63”-115” will go under the oversize bags policy and, every overweight bag costs $100.
- Alaska Airlines doesn’t allow more than 100lb or 24 kg weighted bags on flights.
Alaska Airline Standard Check-in Baggage Fees
Passengers can book domestic flights in economy class, first-class, or premium class on Alaska Airlines. Each of them provides different services for baggage and maintains standardized check-in baggage fees. However, flights within Alaska state charge differently for baggage.
Maximum weight and size measurements, oversize and overweight policies are the same for all the flights.
Domestic Flights
| Economy | First bag : $30 Second bag: $40 | Third and additional bags:$100 (per bag) |
| First-class | First bag: Free Second bag: Free | Third and additional bags:$100 (per bag) |
| Premium class | First bag: Free Second bag: Free | Third and additional bags:$100 (per bag) |
Domestic economic flights charge $30 for the first, $40 for the second, and $100 for the third or every additional checked-in bag.
Flights within Alaska State
| First Bag | Free |
| Second Bag | Free |
| Third Bag | Free |
| Fourth and additional bags | $100 |
Flights within the Alaska state offer free cost for the first three bags and the fourth and, every additional bag requires $100.
Tips: Flight attendants are not permitted to assist passengers in carrying bags for safety reasons, so be sure you are not bringing a suitcase that is heavier than you can safely lift.
Info Alert: Attach an identification tag inside your baggage in case your bag is misplaced. It will help will to identify your bag quickly and get your bag returned even more quickly.
Prohibited and restricted items on Alaska Airlines
Federal Regulations and TSA (Transportation and security operation) impose restrictions and prohibitions on hazardous items for safety measures. According to that, Alaska Airlines maintain the following rules on board and on flights.
Prohibited items: Here is the complete list of prohibited items for all flights both on Carry-on Baggage and Checked Baggage declared by Alaska Airlines.
- Battery-operated boards and other self-balancing devices
- Camping/Outdoor equipment
- Explosive
- Flammable liquids or solids-( Fuel, paints, lighter refills, strike-anywhere matches, Steno, mothballs, self-heating meals such as MREs)
- Household items ( Drain cleaners, solvents, other caustic or corrosive solids or liquids)
- Internal combustion engines- (Outboard motors, chainsaws, generators, gas-powered weed eaters)
- Marijuana
- Other hazardous materials(Gasoline-powered tools, wet-cell batteries, radioactive materials, poisons, infectious substances)
- Pool chemicals (containing hazardous, oxidizing, or reactive materials.)
- Pressurized containers (Avalanche airbag systems, butane fuel, scuba tanks, propane tanks, C02 cartridges, self-inflating rafts.)
- Printer and toner cartridges (16 oz or greater, to/from Canada)
Restricted items: The following items can be carried on the flight, however, subject to certain restrictions and rules.
- Alcohol:
- Over 70% (140 proof) of alcohol is prohibited.
- You can contain less than 24% alcohol by volume in your checked baggage without any restriction.
- Alcohol greater than 24% up to the amount of 70% (140 proof) is allowed with the following restriction:
- up to 5 litres of alcohol per package
- up to 5 litres of alcohol per person
- Must be in retail packaging
2. Smart Luggage, Self-Propelled luggage, e-bags:
- Carry-on: The battery/power bank may remain attached to the bag.
- Checked/gate-checked bag: The battery/power bank must be removed prior to acceptance. Bags with non-removable lithium batteries, power banks, or batteries that require a tool to be removed (e.g. screwdriver) will not be accepted as checked or carry-on baggage.
3. Battery-powered self-folding strollers:
- Carry-on luggage: A stroller with batteries/power bank that can be removed without any tool is allowed in carry-on baggage.
- Checked Baggage: The stroller with non-removable batteries/power bank is restricted for checked baggage.
- Lithium-powered electronic gazettes are subject to restrictions like you can use installed and spare lithium batteries in a carry-on bag but not in the checked bag.
- You can carry a drone in the checked bag without a battery, and batteries should be packaged separately.
Info Alert: Any type of Spare lithium battery, including external battery chargers containing a lithium-ion battery, should not be placed in checked baggage because of the potential fire hazard.
4. Ice
- Gel containers can be carried in the checked bag with only 3 ounces per container.
- Alaska Airlines flights 001-1999, flight 2000-2999, and flights 3300-3499 accept dry ice only.
- Wet ice is prohibited in checked baggage. Wet ice may be used in carry-on baggage to maintain human organs, and tissue samples.
5. Container
- Pressurized containers are prohibited both for carry-on and checked luggage.
- Styrofoam containers are allowed only in the carry-on bag but not in the checked baggage.
- Containers with haphazard labels are completely prohibited on any lights.
6. Regional travel baggage restrictions
- Power or powder-like substances -Restricted for Canada, Costa Rica, and Mexico flights
- Alcohol- Restricted in the Alaska state
- Carriage of Marijuana-Illegal by federal law
- Pottery, glass, or wood- Restricted for Canada flights
- Printer and Toner Cartridge -Restricted for Canada flights
Alaska Airlines Baggage Fees:
Alaska Airlines offers to waive fees for particular items or seasonally.
Exceptions to standard baggage charges
The following items are exempt from charges and don’t count on checked baggage allowance:
- Stroller and car seat –
- This is applicable only when travelling with children or infants.
- If the stroller has a battery or power bank must follow batteries and electronics rules.
- Pineapple from Hawaii
- Only for the flights within the United States to Honolulu, Kona, Maui, and Kauai.
- Must be packaged properly
- Mobility aids and medical assistive devices
- Wine ( only for Mileage plan members)
- Must be carried with a protective case.
- Available for particular flights and airports.
- When flying to international destinations, the program does not apply.
Seasonal Baggage Limits
During the peak travel season, Alaska Airlines limit the number of bag per person for checked baggage. Only for the following cities-
| City | Date Range | Limit |
| Barrow (BRW) | January 1 – December 31 All flights | No more than 2 checked bags per person |
| Bethel | January 1 – December 31 (All flights) | No more than 2 checked bags per person |
| Billings (BIL) | November 15 – March 1 (All flights) | No more than 1 checked bag per person |
| Bozeman (BZN) | November 15 – March 1 (All flights) | No more than 1 checked bag per person |
| Cold Bay (CDB) | June 1 – August 31 (All flights) | No more than 2 checked bags per person |
| Dillingham (DLG) | June 1 – August 31 (All flights) | No more than 2 checked bags per person |
| Guadalajara | November 15 to January 15, annually (All flights) | No more than 2 checked bags per person |
| Jackson Hole (Applies to tickets purchased on or after Sept. 22, 2021) | November 15 to March 1 (All flights) | No more than 2 checked bags per person |
| Kalispell | November 15 – March 1 (All flights) | No more than 1 checked bag per person |
| Kodiak | June 1 – August 31 (all flights) | No more than 2 checked bags per person |
| King Salmon | June 1 – August 31 (All flights) | No more than 2 checked bags per person |
| Kotzebue | January 1 – December 31 (All flights) | No more than 2 checked bags per person |
| Nome | January 1 – December 31 (All flights) | No more than 2 checked bags per person |
| Sun Valley | November 15 – March 1 (All flights) | No more than 1 checked bag per person |
Baggage Fee Waiver
Alaska Airlines offer waiver only for the following eligible passengers:
| Baggage Fee Waiver For: | First Bag | Second Bag | 3 or more bags |
| Eligible Alaska visa cardholders and up 6 other guests travelling in the same reservation | Free | $40 | $100 per bag |
| Alaska Airlines Visa Business cardholders and up 6 other guests travelling in the same reservation | Free | $40 | $100 per bag |
| Alaska Airlines World elite, MasterCard, cardholders and up 6 other guests travelling in the same reservation | Free | $40 | $100 per bag |
| A customer travelling in the first class | Free | Free | $100 per bag |
| Club 49® members | Free | Free | $100 per bag |
| MVP Gold Mileage plan | Free | Free | $100 per bag |
| MVP 75k Mileage plan | Free | Free | 3rd bag free additional each $100 |
| Active duty US military dependents | First 5 bags Free | ||
| Active duty US military personnel | First 5 bags Free |
Info Alert:
- A baggage waiver is not combined with any other free baggage allowance.
- Valid military ID will be checked for military waivers.
Alaska Airline Special Baggage
While you flying with Alaska Airlines, don’t worry about your special baggage that requires extra care and attention. Sometimes passengers need to carry special items which can be fragile or perishable. Alaska Airlines has transparent regulations for special baggage.
1. Bulky or Fragile items
Any fragile items are allowed as long as they meet all other requirements of carry-on and checked baggage. Alaska Airlines offer cabin seat baggage service for bulky and fragile items.
So, what is cabin seat baggage?
If you need to carry such items that are too large or fragile to check or fit in the overhead bin, you can buy a ticket, particularly for it and get a separate seat for it on the plane. This is called cabin seat baggage.
- Cabin seat baggage Fees: As per the regular ticket price, 100% of the applicable adult base fare, plus 6.25% cargo tax.
- Cabin seat baggage size: one carry-on luggage plus one personal item cannot exceed 22″ x 14″ x 9″ or 45” linear dimension.
- Standard checked baggage allowance, fees, and weavers are also applicable for cabin seat baggage.
- You can also earn the mileage plan for the cabin seat baggage.
Info Alert: In order to safely transport your cabin seat baggage, we request you to make reservations as early as possible.
2. Perishable items
Raw meat, seafood, and fish are such kinds of perishable items that require proper packaging. Alaska Airlines has the following guidelines for perishable items.
- You can travel with raw meat and seafood, but you have to maintain at least 48-hour transit-supportive packaging without refrigeration.
- You have to use a leakproof container for fish and game meat. Styrofoam is not accepted.
- Every passenger is allowed up to 5.5 ounces of dry ice for fish and raw meat packaging.
- It is wise to pack freeze and chill meat according to the final destination temperature.
- Passengers should package and label all of their live fresh seafood on their own.
Tips: To carry fish and raw meat, you should use gel ice.
3. Big game trophies
Under the weight and size instruction, big game trophies like antler horns are accepted as checked packages.
- Items must be packed with Shrink-wraps or a heavy-duty polyethene bag by the passengers.
- Antler tips must be protected and padded in a way so that any kind of odour or stains cannot come out
- Animal, rack, or antler is limited per person in one flight.
- A single permitted dimension is a maximum of 38 inches deep, 24 inches broad, or 70 inches long or tall.
- Maximum dimensions for big game trophies are 115 linear inches (292 cm).
- Oversize/overweight items weighing more than 50 pounds or measuring more than 62 linear inches are subject to additional costs.
- Any animal rack/antler with a length of more than 115 linear inches or a weight of more than 100 pounds will be refused as checked baggage.
4. Firearms Checklist
- You can only carry a firearm in the checked bags
- You have to be 18 or 18+ age to carry firearms
- Firearms must be unloaded and maintain proper safety measures.
- You have to declare about the firearms baggage at the counter.
- You are allowed to carry a firearm in the normal baggage. If the bag size exceeds then you have to pay additional fees.
5. Musical instruments Policy
Alaska Airlines carries musical instruments with extra caution. A measurement chart is given below for musical instrument size and baggage.
| Musical Instrument Weight | Fees |
| 50lbs or less | Standard Checked Baggage Fees |
| 51-165lbs | $100 |
| Musical Instrument bag dimension | |
| Up to 62″ (linear) | Standard Checked Baggage Fees |
| 63-150″ (linear) Alaska Airlines flights 1-1999 only | $100 |
| 63-115″ (linear) Alaska Airlines flights 2000-2999 and 3420-3499 | $100 |
Info Alert: If your flight includes multiple airlines then other restrictions may apply.
6. Sporting Equipment Policy
Alaska Airlines accepts sporting equipment as checked luggage if it is properly packed in a soft- or hard-sided case manufactured exclusively for it.
Sports equipment normally goes in the checked baggage as per the standard checked baggage fees.
Oversize and overweight equipment are subject to oversize and overweight standard fees.
The following sports items are allowed without any restrictions on flight :
- Archery
- bicycle
- Boogie Boards
- Fishing equipment
- Hockey
- Golf Clubs
- Kiteboarding Equipment
- Pole Volute
- Scuba Equipment
- Skateboards/surfboards/windsurfing equipment
- Skies
Info Alert
Multiple piece sports equipment like Pole Volute, Fishing, Hockey, Scuba, Skateboards/surfboards/windsurfing, Skies are subject to some exceptions.
Delayed, lost, or damaged items or Baggage
Alaska Airlines resolves its delayed, lost, or damaged items and baggage within 24 hours at the arrival of your airport.
What you need to do is-
- Report baggage issues immediately
- To get reimbursed for essentials, keep all paid recipients to you.
- If you can’t get to the bag until 5 days, your complaint files will automatically Alaska Central Bag Service Center, and they will conduct a comprehensive search.
Conclusion
Air journeys are convenient if passengers don’t have to face any unwanted situations at the airport counter for their baggage. Alaska Airlines has transparent guidelines for carry-on baggage, size, and allowances. Passengers can get to know every ins and outs about what carry-on size, allowance, or fees are applicable for them prior to the ticket booking. This complete guideline will make the flight experience delightful.
FAQs
Can I get first checked baggage free from Alaska Airlines?
Yes, but only when you are a Visa or Master Cardholder and entitled to the Mileage plan of Alaska Airlines.
What happens if my carry-on bag is slightly oversized?
If your carry-on bag is soft-sided that can be squeezed and easily fit in the cabin, you don’t have to worry about slight oversize, but a hard suitcase may cause you trouble.
How to avoid fees for checked bags on Alaska Airlines?
You can get free checked bags on Alaska Airlines if you have an Alaska Airline credit card.
How strict is Alaska Airlines about the carry-on size?
Alaska Airlines maintains its carry-on and baggage rules very strictly. It’s better to inform yourself about the guidelines for carry-on size before the trip.
Is a backpack considered a carry-on according to the Alaska Airlines Carry-on guideline?
Any bag with a 22″ x 14″ x 9″ linear dimension that fits under the seat or overhead bin is going under Alaska Airlines Carry-on guidelines.