Alaska Airlines Carry-on and Checked Baggage Policy

U.S.-based carrier, Alaska Airlines, operates its domestic/international flights regularly. Hence, to maintain this frequency, this carrier has established certain policies regarding its procedures. Alaska Airlines’ baggage policy outlines rules for carry-on, checked, delayed, special, and prohibited items. Hence, to ensure compliance, avoid extra fees, and have a smooth journey, flyers must be familiar with these. 

Alaska Airlines Baggage Policy 

For both international and domestic flights, Alaska Airlines applies specific baggage allowances and fees. The Alaska Airlines baggage policy rules apply to carry-on, checked, and special items on all flights. These policies vary based on fare class, route, loyalty status, and whether a flight segment is operated by a partner airline. Some of its key features are:

• The baggage allowance is different for Economy, Premium, and First-Class passengers.
• Usually, Alaska Airlines’ first-class baggage allowance is more than that of other travel classes.
• Mileage Plan elite members and Alaska Visa cardholders often receive additional perks.
• Partner and codeshare flights may follow the operating airline’s rules for a specific segment.
• Active U.S. military and intra-Alaska flights may have special exceptions.
• Excess baggage fees apply for:
  • Overweight
  • Oversized
  • Extra checked item
• For some categories, there are specific rules by Alaska Airlines, including:
  • Pets
  • Sports equipment
  • Medical devices
  • Musical instruments

Carry-On Baggage Rules

According to Alaska Airlines’ carry-on baggage policy, passengers are permitted one standard carry-on bag and one personal item free of charge. These items must comply with size limits and TSA regulations.

Allowance:

• 1 standard carry-on bag
• 1 personal item (such as a laptop bag, purse, or briefcase)
• The carry-on bag must fit either in the overhead bin or under the seat.

Size and Weight Limits:

• The maximum dimensions of carry-on baggage, including wheels, handles, and pockets, are 22 inches x 14 inches x 9 inches.
• It is equivalent to 56 cm x 36 cm x 23 cm.
• Alaska Airlines does not publish a formal weight limit for carry-on items.
• But it must be small enough for a flyer to lift into the overhead bin.

Personal Items Guidelines:

• A personal item must fit under the seat in front of the passengers.
• Some examples are a small backpack, purse, laptop bag, and briefcase.
• These items do not count as carry-on allowance:
  • Jacket
  • Umbrella
  • Duty-free purchases
  • Assistive devices such as wheelchairs, crutches 

Prohibited Items and TSA Rules:

• These include firearms, explosives, and flammable materials.
• To these items, standard airline and TSA rules apply.
• Liquids must comply with the 3-1-1 rule.
• It means 3.4 oz or 100 ml per container, all in one quart-sized bag.
• Batteries, especially spare lithium batteries or power banks, have specific carry-on rules.
• These are often allowed in the cabin, not in checked baggage.

Checked Baggage

As per the policy of Alaska Airlines, checked bags are subject to fees, weight, and size restrictions.

Allowance:

• Up to 10 checked bags per passenger (subject to operational limits)
• Standard limits apply.
• Overweight or oversized items are subject to fees.

Size and Weight Limits:

• Standard checked-bag dimensions- up to 62 linear inches.
• It means length+width+height ≤ 62 inches or 157 cm.
• Standard checked-bag weight limit: 50 lbs or 23 kgs.

Payment Options:

• Fees can generally be paid online during check-in via mobile app or airport counters/kiosks.

Standard Checked-baggage Fees:

The table below comprises the standard fee structure of Alaska Airlines’ checked baggage, in terms of maximum weight and size.

Note: These are typical U.S. domestic rates. Prices for international or special routes may differ. Hence, one must confirm it before checking in with Alaska Airlines.

Excess Baggage (Overweight, Oversized, and Additional Bags)

When bags exceed standard weight or size limits, they are known as excess baggage. As per Alaska Airlines policy, for excess baggage, additional charges may apply.

Fees for Overweight Baggage:

• For bags weighing 51 to 100 lbs (approx. 23 to 46 kg), additional fees of $100 per bag are applied.
• Bags heavier than 100 lbs are typically not accepted as checked baggage.
• They must ship via cargo.

Fees for Oversized Baggage:

• For bags exceeding 63 to 115 linear inches, there is an additional $100 fee.
• Bags over 115 linear inches are typically not accepted.
• Usually, these are shipped through cargo.

Combined Charges:

• If a bag is both overweight and oversized, a passenger has to pay both surcharges.
• That is an overweight charge + oversized charge.
• Multiple extra bags (beyond the third) incur the “third and more” rate. 
• For example: $150 + any overweight/oversized surcharge.

Baggage Fee Waivers and Free Allowances

Certain Alaska Airlines passengers qualify for free checked baggage. However, these fee waivers must adhere to some guidelines.

Who qualifies for Alaska Airlines’ free checked bags?

• Passengers traveling in First Class often receive free checked baggage.
• These are typically the first and second bags.
• Mileage Plan elite members (MVP, MVP Gold) often get first and second checked bags free.
• Holders of Alaska Airlines co-branded credit cards may receive their first checked bag free.
• Active U.S. military personnel traveling on orders receive special free baggage allowances.
• Flights wholly within the State of Alaska have different baggage rules or waived fees.

How to claim Alaska Airlines baggage fee waivers?

• During booking or check-in, ensure your loyalty number/credit card is always correctly applied to your reservation.
• For military personnel, you may need to present orders or IDs at check-in.
• Always review the “baggage summary” before purchase to verify whether a bag is included or not.

Special Items and Equipment

For special items of the categories sports, music, medical equipment, assistive devices, strollers, car seats, etc, there are specific rules set by Alaska Airlines. 

Sports Equipment:

• These include bikes, skis, snowboards, surfboards, and golf clubs.
• These all count as one checked bag (or more).
• Hence, the fee will be charged accordingly.
• It depends on the size and packaging.
• For overweight/oversized items, fees apply: +$100 each.
• Items of over 100 lbs or 115 inches must ship through cargo.

Musical Instrument:

• Smaller instruments may be carried in the cabin as a carry-on.
• They must fit in the overhead bin or under the seat and fulfill size limits.
• The instruments must be approved by agents.
• For larger instruments, they must be checked as baggage.
• The fees depend on the weight or size of the instrument.
• They may require special handling.

Medical Equipment and Assistive Devices:

• Under this category, these items are listed:
  • Wheelchairs
  • Walkers
  • Prosthetics 
  • CPAP machine
  • Crutches, and many more
• Typically, these are accepted with no extra cost.
• Also, these are counted toward baggage allowance.
• However, an advance notice or request to the airline is recommended prior to flying.

Strollers and Car Seats:

• Car seats, strollers, and CRS (child restraint system) are allowed free of charge.
• Not counted toward checked baggage limits.
• May be gate-checked for convenience.

Traveling With Pets on Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines allows passengers to travel with pets. They can do so either in the cabin or via the Pet Connect cargo service. Nonetheless, rules differ based on pet size, species, and route.

In-Cabin Pet Policy:

• Allowed pets are:
  • Cats
  • Dogs
  • Rabbits
  • Certain small birds
• Must be transported in an approved carrier for animals
• These carriers must fit under the seat in front of the passengers.
• The fee is $100 per pet, each way.
• Breed restrictions and weight limits apply.
• Advanced reservation is required.
• This is due to the reason that there are limited spaces per flight.

Pet Connect Cargo Service:

• This service is suitable for larger pets or those ineligible for cabin travel.
• Pets must be transported in secure kennels or crates.
• Health certification of pets is required.
• Seasonal embargoes may restrict travel during extreme temperatures.
• Booking must be made in advance as fees vary by route and pet size.

Health Certificates and Restrictions:

• Some destinations require health or vaccination certificates.
• Seasonal restrictions may apply to flights to/from certain regions.
• Pets must meet airline and local regulations.

International, Partner, and Codeshare Flights

When traveling on partner airlines or internationally, baggage rules may differ from Alaska Airlines’ standard policies. Hence, passengers must verify the applicable rules for each flight segment.

These baggage rules are applied:

• If a segment is operated by a partner airline, the operating carrier’s baggage rules apply.
• Always review the baggage information displayed for each leg of the itinerary.
• This must be done during booking/check-in.

International Baggage Differences:

• Some international flights have more generous baggage allowances.
• These are especially on transpacific or transatlantic routes.
• On international flights, airline responsibility for lost/damaged bags is limited by international agreements, such as the Montreal Convention.

Interline Transfers:

• If transferring baggage between airlines, ensure the baggage is tagged through to your final destination.
• Verify that interline agreements allow free transfer of checked bags across carriers.

Baggage for Mileage Plan Members and Elite Status

Elite loyalty members get an extra benefit for checked baggage.

• MVP/MVP Gold/MVP 75K members typically receive first and second checked baggage free.
• Elite status may include priority baggage handling, early boarding, and waiver or surcharges in some cases.
• Having the co-branded credit card (Atmos/Alaska Visa) may extend bag perks even for non-elite flyers.

Embargoes, Exceptions, and Seasonal Restrictions

Certain destinations and aircraft types have additional baggage limits.

• Some routes, for example, to Mexico or Central America, may impose seasonal baggage embargoes restricting weight or size.
• Remote or regional routes using smaller aircraft may limit baggage space or enforce strict rules.
• Aircraft type (regional jets vs mainline jets) may limit overhead bin space.
• Additionally, they result in stricter enforcement or gate checks.

Delayed, Lost, or Damaged Baggage

Travelers must report baggage issues promptly to qualify for assistance or compensation.

Reporting issues and time limits for lost/delayed/damaged baggage:

• For delayed or missed baggage, file a “Mishandled Baggage Report”.
• It should be done within 24 hours at the airport before leaving.
• For lost/damaged luggage, Alaska Airlines requires the submission of claims.
• These claims should be made within a set timeframe (e.g., 45 days for loss) as per the rules.

Compensation and Reimbursement:

• As compensation, Alaska offers a 20-minute guarantee rule.
• It is applied when the checked baggage is not on the carousel within 20 minutes after deplaning.
• The passengers may request $25 travel credit card or 2,500 Mileage Plan miles.
• The request should be submitted within 2 hours.
• Sometimes, itinerary changes lead to baggage re-checks or delays.
• Hence, flyers should also stay updated on the flight change policy of Alaska Airlines.

If the passengers’ checked baggage is delayed on a domestic Alaska Airlines flight, then:

• The airline may cover the cost of essential purchases.
• It includes toiletries, clothes, or other necessities until the bag is returned.
• This reimbursement is not unlimited; it must be reasonable.
• It is regulated by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT).
• Hence, passengers should keep the receipt and only buy what is necessary.

The steps to apply for reimbursement are:

• Stay at the airport until the issue is reported.
• Check the oversized baggage area and nearby carousels.
• File a claim with baggage agents and get a report number.
• Save all receipts for essential purchases.
• If you get no solution in the region, move to Alaska’s central baggage service in Seattle, Washington.

Summing Up

Flying with Alaska Airlines involves a standard baggage policy with some exceptions. Passengers may bring one carry-on and one personal item with them. Fees are applied to checked bags, though status or credit cards may waive them. Hence, always confirm details and act quickly if bags are delayed.

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