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Alaska Airlines serves over 115 destinations with over 1,000 flights every day in the U.S, Canada, Costa Rica and Mexico. With such a popular airline, it is important that you understand the baggage policy if you choose to fly with Alaska Airlines.
How Does The Alaska Baggage Policy Work In 2023?
Alaska Airlines has a standard checked baggage size maximums of 62 linear inches (when length, height and width are combined) and 50 pounds.
However, the airline will accept bags up to 100 pounds or 115 linear inches for an additional surcharge. Alaska Airlines does not allow any single piece of checked baggage which exceeds 115 inches and/or more than 100 pounds.
How Much Are Alaska Airlines’ Baggage Fees?
Unlike many airlines, Alaska Airlines has a very straightforward baggage fee policy. However, during peak travel periods, Alaska Airlines reserves the right to limit the number of bags which can be checked by each passenger.
There are certain items such as mobility aids, car seats and strollers which are exempt from any baggage charges. Alaska Airlines will also waive the baggage fees for select guests including US Military personnel, Elite Mileage Plan members and Alaska Airlines credit card holders.
1st Bag | 2nd Bag | 3+ Bag | |
|---|---|---|---|
Economy | $30 | $40 | $100 each |
First Class | Free | Free | $100 each |
Within the State of Alaska | Free | Free | Free for the 3rd bag, $100 each for 4 plus bags |
What is Alaska Airlines’ Carry On Baggage Policy?
Alaska Airlines permits all travelers to bring one carry on bag and one personal item on its flights. The carry on bag should be a maximum of 22x14x9 or linear 45 inches including wheels and handles. You must also be able to lift this bag into the overhead locker to be stowed during the flight.
The personal item may be a purse, laptop bag, briefcase or other item which can be stowed under the seat in front of you.
You may also bring other items with you which do not count towards your carry on allowance. These include:
- Compact umbrellas, hats and coats
- Food for immediate consumption
- A pillow for personal use
- A reasonable amount of reading material
- Prescription medications and/or medical devices needed to administer them
- Mobility or medical assistive devices such as canes, crutches, wheelchairs, breast pumps, approved portable oxygen concentrators and continuous positive airway pressure machines.
- Properly documented service animals
- FAA approved infant or child restraint seats to be occupied by the child, and strollers, according to space availability. Space is only guaranteed if you’ve purchased a ticket for the infant.
How to Save on Alaska Airlines Baggage Fees
While the Alaska Airlines baggage fees are very reasonable, there are a number of ways that you can save on these expenses. These include:
-
Club 49
Club 49 is a scheme that is only available to Alaska residents. In addition to travel discounts and exclusive sales and promotions, Club 49 members can enjoy two free checked bags when traveling to or from a city in Alaska on Alaska Airlines.
The great thing about this benefit is that it is available to all passengers on the same reservation as the Club 49 member.
-
Elite Status Members
Oneworld Sapphire, Oneworld Ruby, MVP Gold, and MVP Members receive two free checked bags whenever they fly with Alaska Airlines.
This increases to three free checked bags if you’re an MVP Gold 75k, MVP Gold 100k or Oneworld Emerald member.
-
Active Duty U.S Military on Travel Orders
Active duty U.S military personnel and any dependents who are on travel orders may have up to five checked bags for free.
The baggage allowance is also increased to 70 pounds and up to 115 linear inches without incurring any oversize or overweight fees.
-
Hold an Alaska Airlines Credit Card
There are three credit cards that offer free checked bags. These are:
- Alaska Airlines Visa: Cardholders and up to six travel companions on the same reservation may have one free checked bag each on qualifying reservations. The airfare must be purchased using your card to qualify.
- Alaska Airlines Visa Business: Primary cardholders or authorized users and additional cardholders on the account may receive one free checked bag on Alaska Airlines flights paid for using the card. This benefit also extends to up to six guests traveling on the same reservation.
Card | Welcome Bonus | Rewards | Annual Fee |
| 50,000 miles
50,000 bonus miles if you make purchases of $2,000 or more within the first 90 days of opening your account
| 1X – 3X
unlimited 3 miles for every $1 spent on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases and unlimited 1 mile for every $1 spent on all other purchases
| $95 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska Airlines Visa® Business credit card | 50,000 miles
50,000 bonus miles if you spend $2,000 or more within the first 90 days of opening your account
| 1X – 3X
3 miles given for every dollar spend on Alaska Airlines as well as 1 mile for every dollar spent
| $75 |
Alaska Baggage Restrictions
As with most airlines, Alaska Airlines has some restrictions on what can and cannot be brought on board or checked. The list of prohibited items include:
- Batteries
- Ice
- Pressurized containers
- Styrofoam containers (in checked bags)
- Wet ice (but dry ice and gel ice are permitted up to certain limits)
If you’re traveling with firearms, they must be unloaded and secured in a locked, hard sided container which does not allow unauthorized or accidental access.
If you have musical instruments or sporting equipment, most items can be checked without incurring oversized fees. There are some exceptions to this including kayaks, which may be checked but will incur the appropriate excess fees.
How Much is the Overweight Baggage Fee?
If your bags weigh 51 to 100 pounds or have linear dimensions of 63 inches to 115 inches, there is a $100 fee. If a checked bag falls into more than one fee category, only a higher, single fee will apply.
Alaska Airlines does not permit single pieces of checked baggage which exceed 115 inches or weigh more than 100 pounds.
FAQs
Alaska Airlines does have the facility for passengers to prepay for their baggage fees online or using the mobile app. This facility is available 24 hours before the scheduled departure of your flight.
In many cases, Alaska Airlines will allow you to pay baggage fees in cash. However, there are some airports which are cashless.
At these locations, you will need to use an alternative payment method. This includes converting cash into a prepaid debit card at a ReadyStation kiosk. However, this does incur a fee of $5.
The baggage fees for checked bags will depend on whether it is your first, second or additional bags. The fees are $30 for first bags, $40 for second bags and $100 for each additional bag.
If you’re flying first class or qualify for another baggage fee waiver, you may receive up to three checked bags for free.
This will depend on the size of your backpack. You may be able to classify your backpack as a personal time if it is small enough to fit under the seat in front of you, allowing you to bring both it and a carry on bag with you when you fly.
There are no formal weight restrictions for carry on bags. It must be within the designated maximum size and you must be able to lift it into the overhead bin.
This depends on your elite status level. If you are only an Alaska Mileage Plan member, it's not enough. However, Elite status basic levels offer two checked bags for free, but if you have MVP Gold 75k, or MVP Gold 100k status or you’re a Oneworld Emerald member, you’ll get three checked bags for free.
Yes, Military personnel on travel orders can get up to five checked bags for free, with increased size and weight restrictions. This benefit also applies to immediate family members traveling with them.
