Alaska Airlines has a checked baggage policy that varies depending on the ticket purchased and the travel destination. Here’s an overview of the weight and size limits, and applicable fees:
Alaska Airlines has clearly defined the specific rules for checked baggage, which vary depending on the class, ticket type, and destination. It’s essential to understand these conditions to avoid unpleasant surprises and having to pay extra before boarding.
Weight, dimensions and fees applied by Alaska Airlines for checked baggage
For Basic or Light tickets, the airline does not include any free checked baggage; passengers will therefore have to pay extra for any bag placed in the hold.
– Domestic flights (In Economy, Economy Premium and First Class)
| First piece of luggage | Second checked bag | Third checked bag | From the 4rd checked bag onwards | Overweight baggage | Oversized baggage | ||
| Up to 32 kg | Up to 45 kg | ||||||
| North America | $40 | $45 | $150 | $150 | $100 | $200 | $200 |
| The Island of Hawaii | $30 | $40 | $50 | $50 | $35 | $70 | $35 |
| Huaka’i | $0 (less than 50Ibs) | $40 | $50 | $50 | $35 | $70 | $35 |
| Member of Club 49™ traveling in the state of Alaska | $0 (less than 50Ibs) | Free of charge (less than 50Ibs) | Free of charge (less than 50Ibs) | $150 | $100 | $200 | $200 |
| First class travel | $0 | $40 | $45 | $150 | $150 | $100 | $200 |
– International flights
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First Class
| First piece of luggage | Second checked bag | Third checked bag | From the 4rd checked bag onwards | Overweight baggage | Oversized baggage | ||
| Up to 32 kg | Up to 45 kg | ||||||
| United Kingdom | $0 (less than 70Ibs) | $0 (less than 70Ibs) | $200 or £150 | $200 or £150 | $100 or £75 (charged for checking in the third or subsequent bag) | $200 or £150 | $200 or £150 |
| Other European countries | $0 (less than 70Ibs) | $0 (less than 70Ibs) | $200 or €175 | $200 or €175 | $100 or €85 (charged for checking in the third or subsequent bag) | $200 or €175 | $200 or €175 |
| Japan | $0 (less than 70Ibs) | $0 (less than 70Ibs) | $0 (less than 70Ibs) | $200 or 20 000 JPY | $100 or 10 000 JPY (charged for checking in the 4th or subsequent bag) | $200 or 20 000 JPY | $200 or 20 000 JPY |
| Korea | $0 (less than 70Ibs) | $0 (less than 70Ibs) | $0 (less than 70Ibs) | $200 or 200 000 KRW | $100 or 200 000 JPY (charged for checking in the 4th or subsequent bag) | $200 or 200 000 KRW | $200 or 200 000 KRW |
| Other Asian countries | $0 (less than 70Ibs) | $0 (less than 70Ibs) | $0 (less than 70Ibs) | $200 | $100 (charged for checking in the 4th or subsequent bag) | $200 | $200 |
| Australia | $0 (less than 70Ibs) | $0 (less than 70Ibs) | $0 (less than 70Ibs) | $200 or 300 AUD | $200 or 300 AUD (charged for checking in the 3th or subsequent bag) | Not authorized | $200 or 300 AUD |
| New Zealand & Cook Islands | $0 (less than 70Ibs) | $0 (less than 70Ibs) | $0 (less than 70Ibs) | $200 or 300 NZD | $200 or 300 NZD (charged for checking in the 3th or subsequent bag) | Not authorized | $200 or 300 NZD |
| Other countries of Oceania | $0 (less than 70Ibs) | $0 (less than 70Ibs) | $200 | $200 | $200 (charged for checking in the 3th or subsequent bag) | $200 | $200 |
| Africa & Middle East | $0 (less than 70Ibs) | $0 (less than 70Ibs) | $250 | $250 | $200 (charged for checking in the 3th or subsequent bag) | $250 | $200 |
| South America | $0 (less than 70Ibs) | $0 (less than 70Ibs) | $0 (less than 70Ibs) | $200 | $200 (charged for checking in the 4th or subsequent bag) | $250 | $200 |
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Business Class
| First piece of luggage | Second checked bag | Third checked bag | From the 4rd checked bag onwards | Overweight baggage | Oversized baggage | ||
| Up to 32 kg | Up to 45 kg | ||||||
| United Kingdom | $0 (less than 70Ibs) | $0 (less than 70Ibs) | $200 or £150 | $200 or £150 | $100 or £75 (charged for checking in the third or subsequent bag) | $200 or £150 | $200 or £150 |
| Other European countries | $0 (less than 70Ibs) | $0 (less than 70Ibs) | $200 or €175 | $200 or €175 | $100 or €85 (charged for checking in the third or subsequent bag) | $200 or €175 | $200 or €175 |
| Japan | $0 (less than 70Ibs) | $0 (less than 70Ibs) | $200 or 20 000 JPY | $200 or 20 000 JPY | $100 or 10 000 JPY (charged for checking in the 4th or subsequent bag) | $200 or 20 000 JPY | $200 or 20 000 JPY |
| Korea | $0 (less than 70Ibs) | $0 (less than 70Ibs) | $200 or 200 000 KRW | $200 or 200 000 KRW | $100 or 100 000 KRW (charged for checking in the 4th or subsequent bag) | $200 or 200 000 KRW | $200 or 200 000 KRW |
| Other Asian countries | $0 (less than 70Ibs) | $0 (less than 70Ibs) | $200 | $200 | $100 (charged for checking in the 3th or subsequent bag) | $200 | $200 |
| Australia | $0 (less than 70Ibs) | $0 (less than 70Ibs) | $200 or 300 AUD | $200 or 300 AUD | $200 or 300 AUD (charged for checking in the 3th or subsequent bag) | Not authorized | $200 or 300 AUD |
| American Samoa | $0 (less than 70Ibs) | $0 (less than 70Ibs) | $150 | $150 | $50 | $400 | $150 |
| Cook Islands | $0 (less than 70Ibs) | $0 (less than 70Ibs) | $150 or 250 NZD | $150 or 250 NZD | $50 or 85 NZD | Not Authorized | $150 or 250 NZD |
| French Polynesia | $0 (less than 70Ibs) | $0 (less than 70Ibs) | $150 | $150 | $50 | Not Authorized | $150 |
| New Zealand | $0 (less than 70Ibs) | $0 (less than 70Ibs) | $200 or 300 NZD | $200 or 300 NZD | $200 or 300 NZD (charged for checking in the 3th or subsequent bag) | Not Authorized | $200 or 300 NZD |
| Other countries of Oceania | $0 (less than 70Ibs) | $0 (less than 70Ibs) | $200 | $200 | $200 (charged for checking in the 3th or subsequent bag) | $200 | $200 |
| Africa & Middle East | $0 (less than 70Ibs) | $0 (less than 70Ibs) | $250 | $250 | $200 (charged for checking in the 3th or subsequent bag) | $250 | $200 |
| South America | $0 (less than 70Ibs) | $0 (less than 70Ibs) | $200 | $200 | $200 (charged for checking in the 4th or subsequent bag) | $200 | $200 |
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Premium Economy
| First piece of luggage | Second checked bag | Third checked bag | From the 4rd checked bag onwards | Overweight baggage | Oversized baggage | ||
| Up to 32 kg | Up to 45 kg | ||||||
| United Kingdom | $0 (less than 50Ibs) | $0 (less than 50Ibs) | $200 or £150 | $200 or £150 | $100 or £75 | $200 or £150 | $200 or £150 |
| Other European countries | $0 (less than 50Ibs) | $0 (less than 50Ibs) | $200 or €175 | $200 or €175 | $100 or €85 | $200 or €175 | $200 or €175 |
| Japan | $0 (less than 50Ibs) | $0 (less than 50Ibs) | $200 or 20 000 JPY | $200 or 20 000 JPY | $100 or 10 000 JPY (charged for checking in the 4th or subsequent bag) | $200 or 20 000 JPY | $200 or 20 000 JPY |
| Korea | $0 (less than 50Ibs) | $0 (less than 50Ibs) | $200 or 200 000 KRW | $200 or 200 000 KRW | $100 or 100 000 KRW (charged for checking in the 4th or subsequent bag) | $200 or 200 000 KRW | $200 or 200 000 KRW |
| Other Asian countries | $0 (less than 50 Ibs) | $0 (less than 50 Ibs) | $200 | $200 | $100 (charged for checking in the 3th or subsequent bag) | $200 | $200 |
| Australia | $0 (less than 50 Ibs) | $0 (less than 50 Ibs) | $200 or 300 AUD | $200 or 300 AUD | $200 or 300 AUD | Not Authorized | $200 or 300 AUD |
| American Samoa | $0 (less than 50 Ibs) | $0 (less than 50 Ibs) | $150 | $150 | $50 | $400 | $150 |
| French Polynesia | $0 (less than 50 Ibs) | $0 (less than 50 Ibs) | $150 | $150 | $50 | Not Authorized | $150 |
| New Zealand | $0 (less than 50 Ibs) | $0 (less than 50 Ibs) | $200 or 300 NZD | $200 or 300 NZD | $200 or 300 NZD | Not Authorized | $200 or 300 NZD |
| Other countries of Oceania | $0 (less than 50Ibs) | $0 (less than 50Ibs) | $200 | $200 | $200 | $200 | $200 |
| Africa & Middle East | $0 (less than 50Ibs) | $0 (less than 50Ibs) | $250 | $250 | $200 | $250 | $200 |
| South America | $0 (less than 50Ibs) | $0 (less than 50Ibs) | $200 | $200 | $200 | $200 | $200 |
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Main Cabin
| First piece of luggage | Second checked bag | Third checked bag | From the 4rd checked bag onwards | Overweight baggage | Oversized baggage | ||
| Up to 32 kg | Up to 45 kg | ||||||
| United Kingdom | $0 (less than 50Ibs) | $100 or £75 | $200 or £150 | $200 or £150 | $100 or £75 | $200 or £150 | $200 or £150 |
| Other European countries | $0 (less than 50Ibs) | $100 or £75 | $200 or €175 | $200 or €175 | $100 or €85 | $200 or €175 | $200 or €175 |
| Japan | $0 (less than 50Ibs) | $0 (less than 50Ibs) | $200 or 20 000 JPY | $200 or 20 000 JPY | $100 or 10 000 JPY | $200 or 20 000 JPY | $200 or 20 000 JPY |
| Korea | $0 (less than 50Ibs) | $0 (less than 50Ibs) | $200 or 200 000 KRW | $200 or 200 000 KRW | $100 or 100 000 KRW | $200 or 200 000 KRW | $200 or 200 000 KRW |
| Other Asian countries | $0 (less than 50Ibs) | $100 (charged for checking in the 3th or subsequent bag) | $200 | $200 | $100 | $200 | $200 |
| Australia | $0 (less than 50 Ibs) | $0 (less than 50 Ibs) | $200 or 300 AUD | $200 or 300 AUD | $200 or 300 AUD | Not Authorized | $200 or 300 AUD |
| American Samoa | $0 (less than 50Ibs) | $0 (less than 50Ibs) | $150 | $150 | $50 | $400 | $150 |
| Cook Islands | $0 (less than 50Ibs) | $0 (less than 50Ibs) | $150 or 250 NZD | $150 or 250 NZD | $50 or 85 NZD | Not Authorized | $150 or 250 NZD |
| French Polynesia | $0 (less than 50Ibs) | $0 (less than 50Ibs) | $150 | $150 | $50 | Not Authorized | $150 |
| New Zealand | $0 (less than 50Ibs) | $0 (less than 50Ibs) | $200 or 300 NZD | $200 or 300 NZD | $200 or 300 NZD | Not Authorized | $200 or 300 NZD |
| Other countries of Oceania | $0 (less than 50Ibs) | $0 (less than 50Ibs) | $200 | $200 | $200 | $200 | $200 |
| Africa & Middle East | $0 (less than 50Ibs) | $0 (less than 50Ibs) | $250 | $250 | $200 | $250 | $200 |
| South America | $0 (less than 50Ibs) | $100 | $200 | $200 | $200 | $200 | $200 |
– Maximum baggage weight: 50 lbs
– Maximum baggage dimensions: 24’’ x 15’’ x 13’’ (158cm).
A generous baggage allowance for Atmos members
Alaska Airlines offers its Atmos loyalty program members an exclusive baggage allowance, which increases with their rewards status:
– Atmos Silver & Gold: The first two bags are checked free of charge.
– Atmos Platinum and Titanium: The first three bags are checked free of charge.
Free checked baggage for military personnel
Active duty U.S. military personnel receive a free checked baggage allowance on all flights operated by Alaska Airlines.
As clearly stated in their baggage policy, military personnel, their spouses, and their children are each entitled to two free checked bags on all flights served by Alaska Airlines and its subsidiary, Hawaiian Airlines.
The standard baggage allowance isn’t enough for you? Buy an extra
Any checked bag exceeding 50 lbs (23 kg) and 53″ (158 cm) in length, width, and depth is considered oversized and overweight. In this case, the passenger is required to purchase excess baggage fees.
Who travels without paying for baggage on Alaska Airlines?
| Profile | Free checked baggage |
| Saver Fare | None |
| Main Cabin Fare | None |
| Premium Class | None (it is a comfort upgrade, not a baggage allowance) |
| First Class / Suites | 2 free bags, up to 70 lbs each according to several guides |
| Atmos Rewards Status | Silver: 1; Gold: 2; Platinum: 3 |
| Atmos Rewards Visa Card | Fee waiver maintained for eligible cardholders; first bag free for the cardholder and up to six companions on the same booking |
| Active-duty military | Up to five free bags, 70 lbs each |
| Club 49 / Huaka‘i Programs | Unchanged benefits (travel to Alaska and inter-island travel in Hawaii) |
Baggage Check-In: Use Alaska Airlines’ baggage drop-off system
Thanks to Alaska Airlines’ self-service baggage drop-off systems located at its major hubs in the United States, passengers traveling with this airline, as well as Hawaiian Airlines, can weigh their suitcases and print their own baggage tags, thus avoiding airport lines.
This service is available for virtually all domestic and international flights operated by Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines. It is available at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), Portland International Airport (PDX), San Francisco International Airport (SFO), Los Angeles Airport (LAX), and several other airports.
After checking in online on the Alaska Airlines website, passengers can check in and tag their luggage at the self-service baggage drop-off machine.
Alaska Airlines baggage drop-off stations use QR codes to:
- Retrieve your reservation (by scanning your boarding pass)
- Check the baggage allowance included in your airline ticket.
The tag includes the passenger’s name and flight number, as well as the baggage number with a barcode. It also features an additional QR code in case of damage, and an RFID chip that allows for quick identification of the luggage if lost. This chip contains a complete copy of this information, further speeding up baggage drop-off and facilitating tracking during the flight.
Pay attention to the check-in deadline
Like customs and border control, check-in and baggage drop-off are mandatory procedures for boarding the plane. They are also time-limited and must be completed before the scheduled flight time.
In this regard, Alaska Airlines urges its passengers to respect the check-in time to avoid any delays that could cause them to miss their flight.
On Alaska Airlines domestic flights, the check-in window closes 50 minutes before departure, while on international flights, passengers must complete the process 60 minutes before the scheduled departure time.
Baggage and equipment for babies and children
– Lap infant (under 2 years old)
Each paying adult may travel with a lap infant. The infant is not guaranteed a seat but may occupy one for free if a seat is available.
A lap infant does not have a separate carry-on allowance; their diaper bag counts toward your allowance.
Lap infants travel for free within the United States. Taxes may apply on international flights to the United States.
On partner airlines, you must purchase an adult ticket for the infant, who then occupies a seat.
An infant under 2 years old traveling in First Class is not entitled to a meal.
Upon turning two, the child is no longer considered an infant and must have their own seat and ticket.
– Stroller and car seat
Alaska transports your child’s car seat and stroller as checked baggage free of charge, either with your regular luggage or at the aircraft door. Stroller wagons designed for carrying children that fold down to less than 90 linear inches and weigh under 35 lbs qualify for this same policy. Larger wagons—those not designed for children or those transported in addition to a stroller—are subject to standard baggage fees. If the car seat or stroller contains a battery, please consult Alaska’s “batteries and electronics” page.
– Child with a paid ticket: allowances depend on the fare
A child occupying a paid seat no longer has special status. Fare rules apply just as they do for an adult:
| Child’s ticket | Cabin | Hold |
| Saver | 1 carry-on bag + 1 personal item | No free checked bags |
| Main Cabin | 1 carry-on bag + 1 personal item | No free checked bags |
| Premium Class | 1 carry-on bag + 1 personal item | No free baggage |
| First Class | 1 carry-on bag + 1 personal item | 2 free bags |
List of items prohibited in checked baggage on Alaska Airlines flights
This airline has updated its list of prohibited items for passengers traveling on its domestic and international flights.
Passengers are now prohibited from placing the following items in their checked baggage:
Battery-powered devices: hoverboards, electric unicycles/scooters, and similar devices
Camping equipment: camping stoves containing flammable liquid, gas cylinders, friction matches, animal repellents, propane heaters, and many others.
Durian (due to its strong odor which may bother passengers and crew)
Personal transport devices: Bicycles, Electric & Motorized Scooters
Internal combustion engines: Gasoline Engines, Chainsaw Engines…
Ice: Allowed under certain restrictions:
– Gelatin ice: Allowed within the weight/dimension limits of the baggage allowance
– Dry ice: 2.5 kg or 5.5 lbs allowed per passenger (carbon dioxide removal required)
– Dry ice: Allowed only on these flights: 001-1999, 2000-2999 and 3300-3499.
– Wet ice: Strictly prohibited in checked baggage.
Vaping devices: Electronic Cigarettes & Hookahs, Vape Pens, Vape Pods, Electronic Mods
All Types of explosives: Fireworks, Firecrackers, Flares, Ammunition, Detonators, Industrial Explosives, Dynamite…
Flammable liquids & solids: Gasoline, Kerosene, Denatured Alcohol, Paint, Solvents, Refillable Lighters…
Household products: Ammonia, Chemical Strippers, Drain Cleaners, Flammable Aerosols, Concentrated Cleaning Products, Insecticide Sprays…
Liquids: the 3-1-1 rule and practical examples
Carry-on liquids are subject to U.S. security regulations (TSA), not Alaska Airlines policy. Each container must hold 3.4 oz (100 ml) or less. All containers must fit into a single clear, quart-sized (approx. 1-liter) bag, and each passenger is limited to one bag.
The rule applies to the size of the container, not the remaining quantity. A half-empty 200 ml tube will be rejected.
What counts as a “liquid”
Liquids, gels, aerosols, creams, and pastes all fall under this rule.
| Profile | Free checked baggage |
| Saver Fare | None |
| Main Cabin Fare | None |
| Premium Class | None (it is a comfort upgrade, not a baggage allowance) |
| First Class / Suites | 2 free bags, up to 70 lbs each according to several guides |
| Atmos Rewards Status | Silver: 1; Gold: 2; Platinum: 3 |
| Atmos Rewards Visa Card | Fee waiver maintained for eligible cardholders; first bag free for the cardholder and up to six companions on the same booking |
| Active-duty military | Up to five free bags, 70 lbs each |
| Club 49 / Huaka‘i Programs | Unchanged benefits (travel to Alaska and inter-island travel in Hawaii) |
Note that Alaska Airlines applies the 3.4 oz rule to carry-on liquids, gels, and aerosols, and that special rules apply to purchases made after passing through security.
Recognized exceptions
Liquid medications, baby formula, breast milk, and duty-free purchases in a sealed bag are exempt from the 100 ml limit. You must declare these items to the agent before screening and keep them separate from your liquids bag, as they will be screened separately.
Checked baggage
There are no volume limits for standard toiletries. Restrictions are based on safety, particularly regarding non-cosmetic aerosols, flammable items, and high-proof alcohol.
Baby food and drink in the cabin
Infant formula, breast milk, toddler drinks, and baby food (including pouches of purée) may exceed the 3.4 oz limit in the cabin and do not need to be placed in your liquids bag. Ice packs used to keep these items cool and liquid-filled teethers are also permitted. You do not need to be accompanied by the child to carry breast milk. Please declare these items at the start of the security screening process. Breast pumps are among the devices that may be carried in the cabin free of charge.
Rules for transporting medication in luggage
In the cabin
Keep your medications in your carry-on luggage, never in checked baggage. A lost or delayed suitcase should not deprive you of your treatment. Liquid medications are exempt from the 3.4 oz limit. The TSA allows medical liquids in reasonable quantities for the trip, including insulin, saline solutions, nebulizer fluids, and cooling gel packs.
Best practices:
- Keep in original packaging with the pharmacy label, and include a prescription or doctor’s letter for sensitive treatments.
- Separate medical liquids from your 3-1-1 bag and declare them at the start of the security screening.
- Pack extra doses to account for unexpected delays.
- Needles, injection pens, and syringes: keep them with the medication (in the packaging or with the label) and declare them to the agent.
- Cold chain: use frozen gel packs; these are permitted—even if partially melted—when accompanying medication.
- Cabin crew cannot provide medical care or administer medication. Plan to administer your treatment yourself or travel with a companion who can assist you.
On board: Cabin crew cannot provide medical care or administer medication. Therefore, plan to administer your treatment yourself or travel with a companion who can assist you.
Rules regarding the transport of medical devices
Wheelchairs and medical devices
Alaska transports all types of personal wheelchairs, folding, non-folding, manual, electric, and battery-powered, as well as electric scooters and carts. A personal wheelchair can be checked free of charge at the ticket counter or the boarding gate. Upon arrival, it is returned to you at the gate or the baggage claim area, depending on your preference. Removable cushions and footrests may travel with you in the cabin or with the wheelchair in the cargo hold.
Personal respiratory devices
Alaska no longer requires advance notice to use a personal respiratory device, such as a ventilator or CPAP machine, on board. See the POC section for information on oxygen concentrators.
Rules for transporting sports equipment
Alaska is known among athletes for its sports equipment policy. The airline accepts the sports equipment listed below as checked baggage, provided it is packed in a soft or hard-sided case specifically designed for that item. For gear that exceeds standard size or weight limits, the airline waives oversize and overweight fees and charges the standard baggage rate instead. Overweight fees do apply, however, if the case contains other items that make it excessively heavy.
This standard rate is $45 for the first bag and $55 for the second on North American flights.
Common list of applicable equipment: Archery, golf, skiing and snowboarding, fishing, hockey and lacrosse, scuba diving, windsurfing, kitesurfing, and bicycles. Alaska also waives oversize fees (up to 70 lbs) for bicycles and windsurfing equipment.
| Equipment | Rule of thumb |
| Golf | A golf bag counts as a piece of luggage. If you also check a suitcase, that counts as two pieces of luggage ($45 + $55). |
| Skis/Snowboards | One case counts as one piece of luggage. Weight limit: 50 lbs. Oversize fees do not apply for items up to 115 linear inches. |
| Bicycles | There is no specific “bicycle” fare. Bicycles must be packed in a hard-shell case or box, with handlebars turned and pedals removed. If the item is within the 115 linear-inch and 70 lb limits, the standard baggage fee applies. Overweight fees apply for weights exceeding 70 lb, up to a maximum of 100 lb. |
| Surfboards / Paddleboards | A case counts as one piece of luggage. Several sources indicate that it is treated as standard luggage provided it stays within limits of approximately 115 inches and 50 lbs, though others may charge an oversize fee. Check the official chart before you travel. |
| Fishing, hockey, diving | Standard baggage in a suitable case, subject to usual weight rules. Scuba tanks must be empty and open. |
| Archery / Hunting | Locked hard-sided case. For firearms, please refer to the information above. |
| Hiking poles, ice axes | Checked baggage only; never in the cabin. |