Alaska Airlines Baggage Policy

Alaska Airlines Baggage Fees and Policy
A snapshot of Alaska Airlines’ baggage fees and policy for 2023

Under Alaska Airlines baggage policy for 2023, standard checked bags are either included in your allowance or will incur a baggage fees of USD 30 and USD 40 for the first and second bags respectively, depending on your route and travel class.

Snapshot 

Important points to remember about Alaska Airlines baggage fees and policy are as follows:

• Carry-on baggage allowance 
  • Includes 1 free standard carry-on bag and 1 free personal item.
    • The standard carry-on bag must not exceed 55.88 x 35.56 x 22.86cm. 
    • The personal item (size not disclosed) can be a small purse, laptop bag, or briefcase.
  • Alaska does not have a weight limit for carry-on luggage. However, you must be able to place your bag in the overhead bin unassisted. 
  • Bags exceeding the carry-on allowance will be checked and charged USD 30 per bag.
• Checked bags must adhere to maximum limit of:
  • 50lb/23kg in weight.
  • 158cm/62in in total combined dimensions (L + W + H).

No single piece of checked bag (except musical instruments) must exceed 100lb/45.45kg in weight and/or 292cm/115in in combined dimensions.

• Baggage fees can be paid online, at a kiosk, or airport ticket counter.
• Active-duty military personnel and their dependents can carry up to 5 bags weighing up to 70lb/32kg each and 292cm/115in per bag in combined dimensions. 
• The following members are entitled to special baggage waivers:
  • Elite Mileage Plan members (2 free checked bags).
  • Alaska Airlines Visa, Visa Business, and World Elite Mastercard holders (1 free checked bag). 
  • Club 49 members (2 free checked bags).
  • Confirmed First Class passengers at check-in time (2 free checked bags).
  • Passengers travelling entirely within Alaska (3 free checked bags).
• Assistive devices and mobility aids like canes, crutches, braces, wheelchair, walker, etc., and child strollers are allowed free of charge. 

Alaska Airlines Baggage Allowance—Carry-on Baggage 

Under the Alaska Airlines baggage policy, you can carry 1 personal item—such as a laptop, purse, or briefcase—and 1 standard carry-on bag—free of charge. 

• 1 FREE Standard Carry-on Bag
  • Max. Size =>55.88 x 35.56 x 22.86cm 22 x 14 x 9in
  • Max. Weight =>No maximum weight 

Must fit under your front seat or in the overhead bin 

• 1 FREE Personal Item
  • Max size =>Undisclosed 
  • Max. Weight =>No maximum weight 
    Must fit under your front seat or in the overhead bin 

• Example =>Laptop, purse, or briefcase
  

Additional Items Allowed on Board

According to Alaska Airlines baggage rules, you can bring the following items FREE in addition to your carry-on baggage:

• A hat, coat, or umbrella that easily fits under the seat or overhead bin 
• FAA-approved car seat or stroller (if a ticket has been purchased for the infant)
• A pillow
• Reading material 
• Food for inflight consumption 
• Mobility aids and assistive devices 

(such as a wheelchair, walking stick, crutches, prosthetic device, CPAP machine, POC, breast pump, etc.)

• Prescription medications 
• 1 safely packaged case of wine (for Mileage Plan members on select flights)
• 1 properly packed box of pineapples on select flights

Remember

Alaska Airlines baggage rules state that:

• The dimensions include handles and wheels.
• No weight limit applies to carry-on baggage, but you must be able to lift your bags and store them in the overhead bin without assistance.
• Lap infants are not entitled to any carry-on baggage allowance. 

Alaska Airlines Baggage Allowance—Checked Bags 

Per Alaska Airlines’ baggage policy, checked baggage fees will apply in most cases—as shown in the table below. 

Remember
Alaska Airlines baggage rules further state that: 

• The dimensions include handle, pockets, and wheels.
• Anything beyond the maximum size will be charged extra.

Alaska Airlines Baggage Fees—Additional, Overweight, and Oversized Bags

Alaska Airlines’ baggage fees for excess baggage—i.e., extra, overweight, and oversized bags—are as follows:

You can pay for your excess luggage online or at the airport. 

How to Pay Alaska Airlines Baggage Fees 

You can pay your Alaska Airlines baggage fees from 24 hours before departure. 

• Online via Manage trip (starting 24 hours before departure).
• Through Alaska Airlines’ mobile app (starting 24 hours before departure).
• At the airport self-service check-in kiosk (starting 4 hours before departure).
• At the airport check-in counter (starting 4 hours before departure).

Alaska Airlines Sporting Equipment Policy

Per Alaska Airlines baggage policy, most sporting equipment is accepted as checked baggage on a chargeable basis—provided the equipment is safely packed in a hard- or soft-sided case specially designed for the purpose. 

Snapshot

Under Alaska Airlines baggage policy for sporting equipment:

• Kayaks will only be accepted on Alaska Airlines flights 0001-1999 and charged the standard baggage fees. 
• Glass kayaks are not permitted. 
• The oversize baggage is waived for the following sporting equipment:
  • Golf clubs
  • Bicycles
  • Fishing Equipment
  • Archery equipment 
  • Windsurfing Equipment
  • Surfboards/Paddleboards
  • Skis/Snowboard
  • Skateboards
  • Scuba equipment
  • Pole vaults
  • Kiteboarding equipment
  • Hockey/Lacrosse equipment
  • Bowling equipment 
  • Boogie boards

Alaska Airlines Baggage Rules—Multiple Sporting Equipment Pieces

The following sports equipment will be treated as one checked piece of baggage, and subject to the standard baggage fees. 

• Fishing equipment
  • Includes 2 rods, 2 reels, and one tackle box
  • To avoid an oversize fee, must be between 62 – 115 linear inches
    
• Hockey/lacrosse equipment 
  • Includes hockey/lacrosse sticks (if multiple, tape together) 
  • Includes 1 bag or box of hockey equipment (gloves, pads, skates, pucks, etc.)
  • To avoid an oversize fee, must be between 62 – 115 linear inches
    
• Kiteboard equipment
  • 1 set can be checked as 2 separate pieces per single charge
  • Includes 1 kiteboard, and fin(s) up to 3 inches long), 1 leading-edge inflatable (LEI) kite or foil, 1 control bar with flying lines, 1 helmet, and 1 personal flotation device (PFD)
    
• Pole vaults
  • Includes up to 2 pole vaults 
  • Dimensions must not exceed 6in x 6in x 17ft
    (the max single dimension is 8ft on flights 2000-2999 and 3300-3499)
    
• Scuba equipment
  • Includes 1 scuba gear container and 1 tank
  • Scuba gear container includes 1 regulator, 1 tank harness, 1 pressure gauge, 1 mask, 2 fins, 1 snorkel, 1 knife, 1 spear gun, and 1 safety vest
  • To avoid an oversize fee, must be between 62 – 115 linear inches
    
• Skis/snowboards
  • Includes 1 pair of skis with poles, or 1 snowboard
  • Includes 1 boot/helmet bag
  • If the bag contains additional items incl. clothing, standard fees will apply 
  • To avoid an oversize fee, must be between 62 – 115 linear inches
    
• Surfboards/paddleboards
  • Includes 1 surfboard or paddleboard case and up to 2 boards 
  • Must not be more than 115in (i.e., 9ft and 7in) long
    
• Windsurfing equipment
  • Includes 1 windsurfing board and 1 mast, sail, and boom 
  • Max length of a mast is 15ft on Airbus 17ft on 737s, and 8ft on Horizon Air or SkyWest flights

Additional Sporting Equipment 

• Camping equipment
  • Both camping equipment and fuel containers (stoves, heaters, and liquid flammable lanterns) are permitted provided the fuel system is totally dry and without any fuel or odor in the tank, hose, or other parts
  • Fuel is not allowed in checked baggage but can be shipped from the cargo section under the regulated dangerous goods label
  • Self-heating type meals (MREs and flameless) are not allowed as carry-on or checked baggage but can be shipped as cargo. 
  • Propane and empty tanks can only be shipped on all-cargo flights
  • Matches and lighters are not permitted in checked luggage

• Firearms & shooting equipment
  • Refer to Alaska Airlines’ firearms policy

CPAP Devices

Passengers with medical conditions can carry FAA-approved CPAP and POC devices by giving advance notice.

Alaska Airlines Musical Instruments Policy

The Alaska Airlines baggage policy for musical instruments allows you to carry your musical instrument as carry-on or checked baggage—depending on its size.

• Small Musical Instruments. Small musical instruments can be taken as a single carry-on bag even if they exceed the standard dimensions—provided they can be safely accommodated in the aircraft’s cabin.
  
• Large Musical Instruments. If you want to carry a large instrument in the cabin, you may either buy a seat for it or carry it as checked baggage.
  

Alaska Airlines Baggage Fees for Musical Instruments
Per Alaska Airlines baggage rules, the baggage fees for musical instruments will depend on their weight and size, as shown below.

Musical Instrument Weight	Baggage Fee
Up to 50lb/23kg	Standard checked baggage fees:  1st Bag =>USD 30 2nd Bag =>USD 40  3+ Bags =>USD 100 each
51–165lbs/23.1–74.8kg	USD 100

Musical Instrument Bag Dimensions	Baggage Fee
Up to 158cm/62in	Standard checked baggage fees:  1st Bag =>USD 30 2nd Bag =>USD 40  3+ Bags =>USD 100 each
159–381cm/63–150in (Flights 1–1999)	$100
159cm–292cm/63–115in (Flights 2000–2999 and 3300–3499)	$100

Tips

What to Do If Your Baggage is Missing or Damaged on Alaska Airlines

You must report baggage issues for damaged or missing bags immediately upon arrival.

• At the airport
  • File a claim in person at Alaska Airlines’ airport service baggage office—no later than 24 hours. For general assistance, contact the Baggage Support office at 1-877-815-8253 from 7:30am–6pm (PT).
  • In case of damage, show it to an agent after you pick up your bag.
• If you’ve left the airport
  • Report your missing bag online via this link.

How to Check the Claim Status of Your Baggage 

To check your baggage claim status, contact the airport service baggage office where you filed your report.

How to Report Damage to a Bag or Contents

(incl. missing contents)

• If you’re still at the airport, you will need to personally file a claim within 24 hours at the airport service baggage office. If your bag is damaged, show the damage to an agent after you pick up your bag.
• If you’ve left the airport, report your missing bag online. 

If your bag is recovered, it will be delivered to you.

Alaska Airlines’ Liability for Lost and Damaged Bags

• Alaska Airlines’ domestic travel liability for checked baggage is limited to:
• USD 3,800/passenger. 
  
• Alaska Airlines’ international travel liability is limited to: 

• Under the Warsaw Convention
  • USD 9.07/lb or the actual value of checked baggage, whichever is less.
  • USD 400/passenger for unchecked baggage.
     
• Under the Montreal Convention (for checked and unchecked baggage)
  • SDR 1,288/passenger 

How to Get Reimbursed on Essential Items 

You can file a claim for the travel essentials you buy till your bag is found—such as clothing and toiletries. To get reimbursed for these items, you will need to:

• Show your invoice to the airport service baggage office where you filed your report, or
• Complete the statement of mishandling form and mail the receipts to:

Alaska Airlines

Attn: Central Baggage Service/SEALZ

PO Box 68900

Seattle, WA 98168-0900

Banned and Restricted Items

Below is a list of banned items on Alaska Airlines:

• Battery-operated self-balancing devices
• Battery-powered/self-folding strollers
• Camping/outdoor equipment
  • Includes camp stoves with flammable liquid residue, fuel cylinders, matches (strike-anywhere type), animal repellants, propane heaters, etc.
• Explosives
  • Such as gunpowder, fireworks, signal flares, sparklers, etc.
• Flammable solids and liquids
  • Such as paint, fuels, lighter refills, Sterno, strike-anywhere matches, mothballs, self-heating meals (MREs), etc.
• Hazardous household items
  • Solvents, drain cleaners, caustic and corrosive materials
• Internal combustion engines
  • Such as chainsaws, outboard motors, gas-powered weed eaters, generators, etc.
• Marijuana 
• Pool chemicals containing hazardous, reactive, or oxidizing materials
• Pressurized containers 
• Other hazardous materials
  • Such as gas-powered tools, radioactive materials, wet-cell batteries, infectious substances, poisons, etc.

For more information, visit FAA Pack Safe. 

Liquids, Creams, Aerosols & Powders

• Up to 3.4oz (100ml) packed per TSA regulations is allowed as cabin baggage. 
• More than 3.4oz (100ml) is allowed in checked baggage.
• Also allowed if purchased after security the checkpoint.
  

Alaska Airlines Contact Information

Below are a few important Alaska Airlines’ contact numbers. 

Frequently Asked Questions on Alaska Airlines Baggage Policy