Checked Baggage
The following baggage rules apply only when traveling on flights operated by Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air. Review our Check-In & Boarding Guidelines to determine the cut off time for checked baggage. If your itinerary includes travel on another airline, and we have an interline agreement with the connecting carrier, you must provide documentation of your connecting flight when you are checking in your bags. Bags will be checked to your final destination or your first stopover point so long as the stopover is 6-12 hours in duration. If the stopover exceeds 12 hours, the bag may be checked only to the stopover point. Please check the other airline's Web site for their specific baggage rules.
The baggage rules and fees noted below apply to tickets purchased on or after May 1, 2008, for travel on or after July 1, 2008.
For baggage limitations applying to tickets purchased prior to May 1, 2008, or all travel prior to July 1, 2008, please refer to the baggage section of our Contract of Carriage.
Free baggage allowance consists of 1 checked bag per ticketed passenger. Baggage can be a maximum of 62 linear inches (length + width + height) and may weigh up to 50 pounds. Excess baggage charges apply to additional pieces, overweight pieces between 51 and 100 pounds and oversized pieces of luggage.
No single piece of checked baggage may weigh more than 100 pounds. Any piece in excess of 100 pounds must be forwarded via air cargo or alternative means arranged by the customer.
Exceptions to Baggage Allowance
The following exceptions to the baggage allowance rules apply:
- Customers traveling intra-Alaska shall be permitted to check three pieces of baggage up to 62 inches, 50 pounds each.
- Customers traveling in the First Class Cabin shall be permitted to check two pieces of baggage up to 62 inches, 50 pounds each.
- Customers traveling to or from Guadalajara or Mexico City shall be permitted to check two pieces of baggage up to 62 inches, 50 pounds each.
- Customers who are current Alaska Airlines MVP Gold Mileage Plan members shall be permitted two pieces of baggage up to 62 inches, 50 pounds each.
- Military personnel on active duty are allowed two duffle bags up to 70 lbs. per bag and up to 115 inches free allowance.
- Customers making international connections to other airlines shall follow the weight restrictions of the international carrier, which may permit them to have bags heavier than Alaska Airlines' free allowance.
- Disabled customers' assistive devices, strollers and car seats do not count for checked baggage allowance.
Excess Size or Overweight Baggage Fees
| Checked Bag Weight | Fee per Bag |
|---|---|
| 50 lbs. or less | No Fee |
| 51-100 lbs. | $50 (USD) |
| Checked Bag Dimensions | Fee per Bag |
|---|---|
| Up to 62 in. | No Fee |
| 63-80 in. | $50 (USD) |
| 81-115 in. | $75 (USD) |
Note: If a bag is both oversize and overweight, the higher fee is charged.
Excess Baggage Fees
Please see our Contract of Carriage for a full list of Excess Baggage Fees.
Prohibited Items
Many common items used everyday in the home or workplace may seem harmless; however, when transported by air, they can be very dangerous. In flight, variations in temperature and pressure can cause items to leak, generate toxic fumes, or start a fire.
Items marked with a green "
" are OK to pack as noted.
Items marked with a red "
" are prohibited from your carry-on and/or checked baggage.
| Item(s) | Carry-On Bag | Checked Bags |
|---|---|---|
| Liquids, Gels, or Aerosols (Purchased Beyond the Security Checkpoints) | |
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| Liquids, Gels, or Aerosols (3.4 oz. (100ml) or Less packed per TSA regulations) | |
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| Liquids, Gels, or Aerosols (More than 3.4 oz. (100ml) and/or not packed per TSA regulations) | |
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| Alcohol (More than 3.4 oz.) | |
View Restrictions |
| Breast Milk (Mothers traveling with or without their child) | |
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| Explosives (Fireworks, gunpowder, signal flares, sparklers, or other explosives) |
|
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| Flammable Liquids or Solids (Fuel, paints, lighter refills, strike anywhere matches, sterno, self-heating meals such as MREs) |
|
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| Household Items (Drain cleaners, solvents, other caustic or corrosive solids or liquids) |
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| Lithium Batteries (Checked bags may only contain batteries installed in electronic devices) | |
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| Matches/Lighters (One book of safety matches or one common lighter) | |
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| Other Hazardous Materials (Gasoline-powered tools, wet-cell batteries, camping gear with fuel, radioactive materials, poisons, infectious substances) |
|
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| Personal Air Purifiers |
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| Pressurized Containers (Butane fuel, scuba tanks, propane tanks, C02 cartridges, self inflating rafts) |
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| Sharp Objects (Knives, cutting instruments - including carpet knives, box cutters, folding or retractable blades, ice picks, straight razors, metal scissors with a cutting edge of more than four inches, pliers larger than seven inches) |
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| Weapons (Firearms, ammunition, gunpowder, mace, tear-gas, or pepper spray) |
|
* |
* See rules for transporting firearms in "Know Before You Go" section of alaskaair.com
Many of the items above are classified as Dangerous Goods by the U.S. Government and are prohibited from being placed in your baggage. The shipment of unauthorized dangerous goods may result in criminal or civil penalties. For further information, contact Alaska Airlines at
Alcohol
There is no restriction on the amount of alcohol you may pack in your checked luggage, provided it contains under 24% alcohol by volume (e.g. beer and wine). Alcohol greater than 24% up to and including 70% (140 proof) is allowed with the following restrictions:
- Up to five liters of alcohol per package
- Up to five liters of alcohol per person
- Must be in retail packaging
Alcohol over 70% (140 proof) is prohibited.
Baggage Claim
Your checked baggage should be available to you at baggage claim within twenty (20) minutes of your flight's arrival.
Please download the tag below, fill out the information, then place it inside your bag. In the case of a misplaced bag, this tag can help expedite the identification and return process.
Download Baggage I.D. (PDF file is 173k)
Viewing the PDF document linked above requires Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Delayed or Damaged Baggage
We ask that you report any irregularity concerning baggage to the Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air Baggage Service Office at your arrival airport. All reports should be made in-person and within 24 hours of arrival time. Failure to report baggage mishandling of any type will result in a denial of compensation.
Please note: it is important to retain copies of your ticket, baggage claim check, and any receipts you may have accumulated for expenses incurred relating to your claim.
Excess Valuation
Each ticketed passenger traveling on a U.S. domestic trip is covered to a maximum of $3,000 (USD) for loss to luggage or articles contained inside. For most international travel baggage liability is limited to approximately $9.07 (USD) per pound for checked baggage and $400 (USD) per passenger for unchecked baggage. If the cost of replacing your luggage or packed belongings exceeds the maximum compensation amount, you may want to declare a higher value by purchasing "excess valuation." Excess valuation is simply an extension of liability in the event of loss or damage, up to a maximum of $5000 (USD). If you purchase excess valuation, you will be asked to describe the contents of the bag. Excess valuation may be purchased for fragile items, but liability coverage extends to loss only (note exceptions below). Excess valuation is not the same thing as insurance. Insurance is not sold by Alaska Airlines or Horizon Air for checked baggage.
The following items are not covered for loss or damage, and excess valuation cannot be purchased. Acceptance of these articles or any similar valuables are at your own risk. Pack them in a carry-on bag if possible. Note: Medication should always be in your carry-on bag.
- Antiques, heirlooms
- Antlers, game trophies, pelts
- Art objects, sculptures
- Binoculars, telescopes, optical devices including eyeglasses
- Business contracts, documents
- Cameras, video and photographic equipment, camcorders, audio equipment, film, camera equipment, photographs
- Cash, currency
- Computers and related equipment
- Furs, including coats, gloves, and hats
- Historical artifacts
- Irreplaceable books, publications, collectibles such as baseball cards
- Jewelry, watches
- Keys
- Medication
- Negotiable papers
- Original manuscripts
- Personal electronic devices such as compact disks and video game cartridges
- Precious metals, stones, or materials
- Sales samples
- Securities
- Silverware
Fragile Packages
If you pack fragile items, advise the customer service agent when you check in so that the bag can be properly labeled with FRAGILE stickers. Items packaged in cardboard boxes are covered in case of loss, but are checked at your own risk for damage. An exception is made for items in the original manufacturer's shipping container and packaging, but only if the original manufacturer's seal has not been broken.
Dry Ice
Dry ice may be placed in carry-on and checked baggage subject to the following limitations: In all cases, the packaging must allow for the release of carbon dioxide gas. For carry-on baggage, each person may carry up to 4 pounds of dry ice. In checked baggage, the limit is 5 pounds per package. The package must be marked with the net weight of the dry ice or the statement that the net weight of dry ice is 5 pounds or less. The name of the contents being cooled, along with the words "Dry Ice" or "Carbon Dioxide, Solid" must be on the outside of the package.
Sporting Equipment
Some sporting equipment (snow skis, golf clubs), may be checked in lieu of one piece of luggage, if packaged in a suitable container. Sporting equipment checked in addition to the free baggage allowance is charged an excess fee. There is a fee charged in all situations for some equipment (surfboards, scuba gear). View details about allowances and fees for specific sporting equipment.
