Alaska Airlines Baggage Policy – Fees & Allowance. Alaska Airlines has one of the most clear-cut baggage policies we’ve seen.
Depending on the route and cabin, 2 or 3 standard bags are either included or only $30 for your first bag, with additional bags coming in below the average cost for airlines we’ve reviewed.
Alaska Airlines offers some great baggage fee policies with some very reasonable prices compared to other major airlines.
This article will show you what the Alaska Airlines baggage fees are for carry-ons, checked bags, and special items.
What is Alaska Airlines’ (AS) baggage policy?
The Alaska Airlines (AS) and Horizon Airlines baggage policy for regular basic fares include the following:
- Carry-on baggage.
- 1 personal item – Fee free
- 1 carry-on item – Fee free
- Checked baggage / Hold luggage – Applicable fees per bag increase with number checked.
- Overweight and Oversize bags – Applicable fees per bag depending on weight and size categories.
- Sports equipment – Certain items might have applicable fees.
What is Alaska Airlines’ (AS) carry-on baggage policy?
Alaska Airlines (AS) allows 1 carry-on bag and 1 personal item (purse, briefcase, laptop bag) per passenger fee free.
Carry-on should not exceed the following size and weight restrictions:
- Starting June 4th, 2018, Alaska Airlines’ carry on is 45 linear inches (22 x 14 x 9in) or 115 centimeters (61 x 43 x 25 cm) including handles and wheels.
- Fit in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you.
- A jacket, umbrella, duty free items, and assistive devices (wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, strollers, child restraint seats, etc.) do not count towards your carry-on allowance.
- Diaper bags are counted as the one personal item
NOTE: Bulkhead seats do not have under seat storage, therefore, all carry-on baggage must be stowed in the overhead bin during take-off and landing.
What is Alaska Airlines’ (AS) checked baggage / hold luggage policy?
Alaska Airlines’ (AS) standard checked baggage / hold luggage policy details follow:
- 2 bags standard
- Maximum dimensions: 62 inches or 157 centimeters (length + width + height)
- Maximum weight: 50 pounds or 23 kilograms
Are there fees for baggage on Alaska Airlines (AS)?
Yes, in general, fees likely will apply.
They are determined by the type of fare you purchased, your destination, if you are an active U S military personnel and/or dependent, if you have status with Alaska Airlines’ (AS) frequent flyer program, status with an affiliated carrier, or if you have an Alaska Airlines (AS) sponsored credit/charge card.
Alaska Airlines’ (AS) standard checked baggage / hold luggage fees follow:
- First bag: $30.00 USD
- Second bag: $40.00 USD
- Third and each additional: $100.00 USD
- Within State of Alaska: First, Second, and Third bags: Free
What is Alaska Airlines’ (AS) fee for excess baggage?
Alaska Airlines (AS) will charge $100.00 USD for the third and additional bags.
What is Alaska Airlines’ (AS) fee for overweight baggage?
Alaska Airlines (AS) will charge the following for bags that are greater than the standard 50 pounds or 23 kilograms:
- 51 to 100 pounds or 24 to 46 kilograms: $100.00 USD extra per bag
- Bags exceeding 100 pounds or 46 kilograms will not be accepted as checked baggage / hold luggage.
What is Alaska Airlines’ (AS) fee for oversize baggage?
Alaska Airlines (AS) will charge $100.00 USD extra for bags that are from 63 to 115 linear inches or from 160 to 292 centimeters.
Bags greater than 115 linear inches or 292 centimeters will not be accepted as checked baggage / hold luggage.
Are there fees for sports equipment on Alaska Airlines (AS)?
Sports equipment such as skis, golf bags, fishing equipment, hockey, and lacrosse equipment will be accepted up to Alaska Airlines’ (AS) size and weight limits and will count as one checked bag/hold bag.
Associated fees might be applied.
CPAP Devices:
Alaska Airlines identify the name and model of the actual POC that has been approved by the FAA.
Please use the identification from the label attached directly to the POC when identifying if your POC is approved for use in flight.
For specific verification of models that are allowed, please contact the airline.
How much does Alaska Airlines charge for checked bags?
Checked baggage with Alaska Airlines is free for flights within the state of Alaska.
For all other flights, the first bag is charged at $30 (free for first class), second bag at $40 (free for first class), and 3+ bags at $100.
What can I carry-on on Alaska Airlines?
Alaska Airlines allows passengers to bring 1 piece of standard carry-on up to the maximum size of 22 x 14 x 9 inches and 1 additional personal item (size undisclosed by Alaska Airlines) like a handbag or small briefcase.
Can you carry on a garment bag on Alaska Airlines?
A garment bag is likely to be accepted as a carry-on with Alaska Airlines if it has the ability to be folded if required to go in the overhead compartments or under the seat in front of you.
Depending on the size of the garment bag, this would count towards either your carry-on or personal item allowance.
How many free bags do you get on Alaska Airlines?
Depending on the route and cabin, 2 or 3 standard bags are either included or are only $30 for your first bag, with additional bags costing $40 or $100.
Lost or damaged baggage
If your bags are delayed at your arrival or if they are damaged, be sure to report the situation in person within 24 hours of arrival time.
If you fail to do that, you will likely be denied compensation.
You should be aware of the 20 minute baggage guarantee:
If your bags are not at baggage claim within 20 minutes of your plane’s arrival at the gate, Alaska will offer you a $25 discount code for use on a future Alaska Airlines flight, or 2,500 Alaska bonus miles.
Contact Alaska within 2 hours of your flight’s arrival for your discount code or miles.
So keep that clock tickin’ as soon as you arrive.
Read more about lost or damaged bags here.
Pet Reservations
On any given flight, the First Class cabin can accommodate 1 pet and the main cabin can accommodate 5, so Alaska Air recommends contacting the Customer Service Team at 800-252-7522 as soon as your travel plans are confirmed.
Let the reservation agent know that you are flying with your pet and they will confirm availability.
Pets in the Cabin
Alaska Air allows small pets (dogs, cats, rabbits, and household birds) to travel in the cabin if the combined weight of the pet and carrier does not exceed 20 lbs (9 kg).
Dogs and cats must be at least 8 weeks old to travel in the cabin.
Each passenger can travel with a maximum of 2 pets, as long as 2 seats are purchased.
Alternatively, up to 2 pets of the same breed may travel in the same carrier if they are under no distress.
Each pet in the cabin has a fee of $100 each way.
Pets in Checked Baggage
Alaska Air allows a number of small pets (including cats, dogs, ferrets, guinea pigs, hamsters, household birds, non-poisonous reptiles, pot bellied pigs, rabbits, and tropical fish) to travel as cargo if the combined weight of the pet and carrier does not exceed 150 lbs (68 kg).
Other pets will be accepted with approval.
Dogs and cats must be at least 8 weeks old to travel in the hold.
Each pet traveling in the hold will have a fee of $100 each way.
Due to the extreme temperatures that may be experienced in the cargo area, Alaska Air may decline pets if they deem the weather too unsafe.
Pets in Cargo
Passengers with pets that exceed the weight limit to travel as checked baggage or in the cabin can contact the cargo department at 800-225-2752 to find out information on transporting pets via cargo instead.
Carrier Guidelines
For pets traveling in the cabin, hard-sided carriers must have maximum dimensions of 17″ x 11″ x 7.5″ (43 cm x 28 cm x 19 cm) and soft-sided carriers must not exceed 17″ x 11″ x 9.5″ (43 cm x 28 cm x 48 cm).
They must be leak-proof, have adequate ventilation, and be lined with absorbent bedding.
For pets traveling in the hold, carriers must not exceed the dimensions 30″ x 27″ x 40″ (76 cm x 68 cm x 101 cm).
Kennels must be solid, have handles, adequate air ventilation, and a sturdy roof.
Pets must be provided with food and water bowls attached to the interior.
Other Restrictions
Brachycephalic (short-nosed) dogs and cats are not accepted for travel as cargo with Alaska Airlines.
Notable dog breeds that are considered to be this type are Boston Terrier, Boxer (all breeds), Bull dog (all breeds), Bull Terrier, Brussels Griffon, Chow Chow, English Toy Spaniel, Japanese Spaniel/Japanese Chin, Mastiff (all breeds), Pekingese, Pit Bull (all breeds), Pug (all breeds), Shih Tzu, Staffordshire Terrier; cat breeds are Burmese, Exotic Shorthair, Himalayan, and Persian.
These breeds may still travel in the cabin with their passenger if they meet the usual requirements.
Effective January 11, 2021, Alaska will accept only service dogs which are trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of a qualified individual with a disability.
Emotional support animals will no longer be accepted.