Tips For Stress-Free Travel

Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air offer these tips for stress-free travel.

• Be aware of new or increased fees. In order to align with the rest of the industry and in response to increasing costs, Horizon and Alaska recently changed their fee structure.

  • Baggage: Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air charge $25 for a second and $100 for a third checked bag. First class and Gold-level Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan members, and customers flying to or from Mexico City may check two bags free of charge, and customers on flights within the state of Alaska may check three bags free of charge, before excess fees apply. The charge for an overweight bag (more than 50 pounds) has increased to $50. Passengers can pay for additional bags with a credit card at the airport through Alaska and Horizon check-in kiosks or at the ticket counter.
  • Unaccompanied Minor and Pet Fees: The charge for transporting pets in the cabin increased to $100 one-way, and the unaccompanied minor fee is $75 for one-way — nonstop or connecting flights.
  • Booking and Change Fees:, Our reservation change fee will increase to $100 for changes made through an Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air call center or an airport ticket counter. Changes made at alaskaair.com will be charged a discounted $75 fee. The charge for booking a reservation at the ticket counter or through reservations increased to $15, and a $25 fee is now incurred for all partner award bookings,

• Be prepared for security procedures. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has specific rules for carrying liquids and gels in carry-on luggage, in addition to procedures related to electronics. Become familiar with all their procedures, as well as prohibited items, by checking the TSA Web site at www.tsa.gov.

• Be aware of passport requirements for international travel. Passengers traveling between the United States, Canada and Mexico are required to have a passport. For more information, visit the U.S. Department of State Web site at www.travel.state.gov.

• Know when to arrive at the airport and gate. Passengers should arrive at the airport at least two hours before a domestic departure and three hours before an international flight. Travelers should contact individual airports for specific recommended arrival times. Alaska and Horizon customers must be at the gate at least 30 minutes before a domestic departure and 40 minutes before an international flight. These guidelines apply to all airports, regardless of size.

• Allow extra time to get to the airport. Parking lots may be full during peak travel periods. Alaska and Horizon encourage passengers to take alternative transportation to the airport or park at a nearby satellite parking lot.

• Check in online.Alaska and Horizon passengers can check in online for domestic and international flights as early as 24 hours before departure at www.alaskaair.com or www.horizonair.com. International passengers can also enter passport information online. Passengers should leave ample time to check any luggage at the airport. Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan members earn 1,000 Mileage Plan miles the first time they check in online.

• Use a check-in kiosk. Alaska and Horizon provide more than 400 convenient check-in kiosks at airports and many off-site locations. Passengers can print out their own boarding pass, and some kiosks offer baggage check-in. Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan members earn 1,000 Mileage Plan miles the first time they check in at a kiosk.

• Keep valuables in your carry-on luggage. Passengers should carry prescription medications, passports, cash, jewelry, business papers, film and other valuables in carry-on luggage to keep control of these items. TSA rules permit prescription medications through security checkpoints and require them to be declared.

• Properly label all luggage. Passengers should provide a clearly printed label on the outside and inside of each piece of luggage. Tags should include name, address, permanent phone number, email address, and a phone number at the passenger's destination. Download these tags for placement inside your luggage. Tags for the outside of your bag are available at the airport ticket counter.

• Know the rules for large or unusual items Passengers with excess luggage, pets or oversized items, such as golf clubs, should check airline policies ahead of time.

• Take the express line. MVP Gold Mileage Plan members and passengers with no carry-on items can use express lines at security checkpoints in Seattle, Spokane, Anchorage, and Portland. Express lines also are available for Horizon Shuttle passengers traveling between Seattle, Portland and Spokane.

Find more information in the Know Before You Go section at alaskaair.com.