Alaska Airlines Baggage Allowance In 2025: What’s New?

Alaska Airlines baggage allowance, along with pricing and interlining policy, have undergone quite an update since the pandemic, just like any other airlines out there.  

Checked baggage fees have been increased for a third bag as well as oversized/overweight bags. If you’re flying on a flight operated by one of Alaska Airlines’ partners (for example: British Airways), chances are their baggage policy has also been updated. 

Routes have been added as well as removed. Before you ask, no, they still haven’t provided flights from LAX to Mexico City. 

Let’s dive in and see what else you need to know before flying with Alaska Airlines.

Flying with confidence on Alaska Airlines with our baggage guide.

Overview of Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines was established in 1985 and eventually bought Horizon Air and Jet America Airlines. As of September 2024, they also announced a merger with Hawaii Airlines.  

It’s the fifth largest airline in the US, with main hubs at Seattle – Tacoma International Airport. It has almost 1,200 daily flights to more than 115 locations in the United States, Mexico, Canada, and Costa Rica. 

It’s long been a popular name in the budget-friendly travel community for years. You may think being a large airline and offering low-cost flights often don’t go hand-in-hand in most cases, but Alaska Airlines really does have plenty of cheaper deals, especially for flights between US West Coast cities like Seattle and Portland.

Alaska Airlines Baggage Allowance For Carry-on Bags

Alaska Airlines baggage allowance is pretty streamlined. Here’s a pocket guide on what’s allowed to board the aircraft, size and weight limits, and how to board with free carry-on baggage.  

Alaska Baggage Hand Luggage Policy

For all cabins, including First Class, Alaska Airlines baggage allowance for hand luggage allows:

Alaska Airlines baggage allowance is known to be quite lenient in the sense that there is no weight restriction for carry-on luggage as long as you’re able to lift it over your head to store it in the overhead compartment. 

However, the catch is that if it’s too heavy, your bag will have to be checked and charged as such. 

You can bring one carry-on and one laptop bag when flying with Alaska airlines.

What Can I Bring On The Plane With Alaska Airlines?

Alaska Airlines allows you to carry on the plane these items:

• A carry-on bag and personal item

• Duty-free items purchased after checking in

• Approved medical equipment, mobility aids, and foldable strollers

• Approved baby gear such as diaper bags, formula, breast milk, and toddler food

• A pet in an approved carrier

• Liquids that follow the 3-1-1 TSA liquid rules, and a passenger is allowed one liquid bag.

Items that are not allowed in carry-ons are no different from other airlines. They include firearms and ammunition, flammable liquids and explosives, sharp objects (such as knives and scissors), self-defence items (like pepper spray), and oversized sporting goods like baseball bats.

What Bags Are Free On Alaska Airlines? 

You are permitted 01 personal item + 01 standard carry-on luggage free of charge on all Alaska Airlines flights as long as they don’t exceed the size limits. If your flight is operated by one of Alaska Airlines’ partners, you have to check with their baggage policy upon booking. 

Though Alaska Airlines baggage allowance does not state a specific weight limit, it’s better to keep things light and manoeuvrable to avoid extra fees and ensure safety.

• For personal items: We recommend bringing small bags that are lightweight and stowaway-able. Shoulder bags work great.

• For carry-on bag/hand luggage: Seasoned travellers often opt out of hard suitcases and switch to something equally efficient but space-optimised - cabin-sized underseat backpacks.

Budget-wise, an underseat backpack can save you from last-minute surprises like not fitting the sizer because a wheel or handle sticks out. 

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Stay stress-free with a travel-tested cabin backpack.

They let you board with your slightly overweight suitcase? Amazing, but you might find that there’s no room left in the overhead compartment, and now you’re holding up the line trying to drag it down the aisle.

CabinZero’s 28L underseat bags are a perfect fit for this reason. Weighing only 600 grams and measuring 39 x 29,5 x 20 cm in dimensions, they’re designed to meet major airlines’ baggage policies, even stingy ones.

Infant/Children's Baggage Policy

Alaska Airlines does not currently have a separate policy regarding infant luggage. Thus, all children's baggage, including carry-on and checked baggage, is charged the adult baggage fee. 

Collapsible baby strollers can be counted as carry-on and will be allowed on board for free. If your baby stroller is the bigger size and cannot be collapsed to store in the overhead compartment, contact the airline upon booking.

Alaska Airlines Checked Baggage Allowance and Fees

As of 2024, Alaska Airlines still offers free checked baggage for Mileage Members and cardholders of Alaska Airlines Visa (number of bags varies). For non-members of: 

• Economy class: $35 for the first bag, $45 for the second, and $150 for the third and additional bags. 

• Business class and First class: 02 checked bags free, regardless of membership status.

Has Alaska Airlines gotten stricter? Alaska Airlines baggage allowance has remained the same over the years. 

• Maximum dimension: 62 inches or 157 cm (length + width + height)

• Maximum weight: 50 pounds or 23 kg

Not all flyers share 100% the same experience when checking their baggage, so a good rule of thumb is to stick to their policy and avoid exceeding the limit.

Follow size and weight limits to avoid extra fees. Mertbiol, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Alaska Airlines Hold Baggage Summary

Here’s a quick summary for your reference:

Does Sports Equipment Count As Baggage?

Alaska Airlines baggage allowance policy charges sporting equipment as checked baggage. If the item is not small enough to be stored within one of your checked bags, then it will be counted as a checked bag on its own, with the same fees applied. 

For example: 

• If you’re travelling in Economy with 1 checked bag and a golf club, then your total checked baggage is 2 bags ($35 for the first bag, then $45 for the second one). 

• If you’re travelling in Economy with a ping pong paddle stored in 1 checked bag, then your total baggage is 1 bag. 

Alaska Airlines’ categories for sporting equipment include: one-piece equipment, multi-piece equipment, and oversized equipment. Each category has their own guidelines, which can be found here.

Pack your equipment in their appropriate protective case/cover to avoid damaging your belongings as well as the aircraft.

How Much Does Alaska Charge For Oversized Bag?

Your bag may be oversized but not overweight, and overweight but not oversized. Or, it can be both. 

Alaska Airlines levy a surcharge as below for each type of excess baggage:

• Overweight bags (51 lbs to 100 lbs): $100. Bags heavier than 100 lbs will not be accepted.

• Oversized bags (63 to 115 inches/160 to 292 cm): $150. Bags bigger than 115 inches (292 cm) will not be accepted.

If you’re travelling with baggage exceeding the oversized/overweight limit, you can use their separate service, Alaska Airlines Cargo. 

Musical instruments may be the exceptions to this policy, but always check with the airline first to avoid extra charges you’re not aware of.

Booking and Checking-In With Alaska Airlines

To book a flight with Alaska Airlines, you can proceed to their official booking site. You can also book on their mobile app. 

A screenshot of Alaska Airlines’ official booking page. Credit: Alaska Airlines

Flight comparison sites like Skyscanner or Google Flights may help you see all the current deals/promos, but if there are no exclusive deals going on, the best way to book is directly on any official Alaska Airlines booking platform. This is because tickets on third-party apps/websites are usually subject to mark-ups.  

To check-in, you can do it either online or at an airport counter. Both check-in methods will have the same fees applied.

• Online check-in is available for 24 hours before boarding time with their mobile app. You can pay for checked baggage in advance. Fees and any label that needs to be printed and how to will be disclosed on the check-in screen. 

• Counter check-in is available as early as 2-3 hours before boarding time, but if you’re travelling during peak season, it’s best to be there as early as possible.

Note: Some airports, like SeaTac, do not have a printing counter available anymore. Make sure you have everything ready beforehand.

FAQs

It’s all in the size limits! 

Here are some answers to some questions you may have about Alaska Airlines baggage allowance, travelling with infants, and more.

1. Can I Bring A Backpack And A Carry-On Alaska Airlines?

In this case, a backpack is considered a personal item when it’s small enough to be stored under the seat in front of you. 

If your backpack is the same size as your carry-on, say, suitcase, it’s counted as 2 carry-on bags. Then, one of them must be checked and charged as checked baggage. You can bring the other carry-on item for free onto the aircraft.

2. Do Alaska Airlines Offer Discounts For Children Or Infants?

Most airlines charge by seat occupancy, not passenger age. It means that if a passenger takes up a seat, then they will need their own full fare ticket. Infants who sit in an adult’s lap for the whole flight can fly free. 

We haven’t known of any special discount by Alaska Airlines for children. However, there are plenty of ways to get cheaper tickets, such as subscribing to their Flight Pass program or get one of their flight sales promotions.

One good news is that your kids (under 13) will be seated with at least one accompanying adult for free (one of the rare US airlines that do so). Remember, you should inform the carrier beforehand that children are within your party so they can arrange it.

3. How Many Bags Are Free On Alaska Airlines?

Per the policy, everyone can bring one carry-on bag plus one personal item, even Saver fliers. So the answer is two. However, for checked baggage, fees usually apply unless you're traveling in certain fare classes (like First Class) or are an elite member of their Mileage Plan. You have to pay $35 and $45 for the first and second checked bags, respectively.

Fly Alaska Airlines Hassle-Free With CabinZero

Alaska Airlines baggage allowance policy is pretty standard. You’re allowed free 1 carry-on bag + 1 personal item, regardless of ticket fares. Your carry-on bag should not be bigger than 22'' x 14'' x 9'' (56 cm x 36 cm x 23 cm) in dimensions. 

Enjoy hassle-free trips with carry-ons by sticking to your trusty cabin-sized bags from CabinZero that fit the majority of sizers and designed with comfort and adventures in mind.

For more useful guides on different airlines’ baggage allowances and travel hacks, check out CabinZero’s blog or find us on social media!

Nguyen Tran Gia Khanh