Travel Tips
Many people plan months in advance for travel during holiday weekends and school breaks. Planning ahead can make your trip more cost-effective as most discounted fares are limited in number and have advance reservation and purchase requirements. When making reservations or purchasing tickets, pre-reserve your seats for best selection.
Check your reservations online at least 24 hours in advance by selecting
In addition to planning for things like heavy traffic, inclement weather, and anxious people during peak travel times, you'll find other helpful hints in our Travel Advisories section.
Know when to go
In general, passengers should arrive at the airport at least two hours before domestic departures and three hours before international departures. Specific information is available at each airport. Passengers must be at the gate at least 30 minutes prior to departure, or 40 minutes prior to an international departure, to board.
Plan for transportation to the airport
Passengers are encouraged to take a shuttle to the airport or park at a satellite parking lot nearby. Passengers should allow extra time for parking during busy holiday travel periods, as lots may be full.
Consider checking in online
Alaska and Horizon passengers can check in online for domestic and international flights as early as 24 hours before departure at alaskaair.com or 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 passes, 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.
Prepare for the security line
Passengers should not bring any item through the security line prohibited by the Transportation Security Administration. A list of prohibited items is available at www.tsatraveltips.us. Passengers can get through security more quickly by limiting the number of electronic devices they carry and by removing shoes, metal objects and laptop computers before entering the scanning area.
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, Washington; Anchorage, Alaska; and Portland, Oregon. Express lines are also available for Horizon Shuttle passengers traveling from Seattle and Portland to Spokane.
Carry all valuables, medication, documents and film
Passengers should carry prescription medication, passports, cash, jewelry, business papers, film and other valuables in their carry-on luggage to keep control of these items during the trip.
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 and a phone number at the destination.
Know the rules for large or unusual items
Passengers with excess luggage, pets or oversized items, such as golf clubs, should check their airline's policies ahead of time.
Purchase Trip Protection with Access America
Put your mind at ease by protecting yourself, your valuables, and your travel. Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air offers trip protection through our partner, Access America, to provide you greater peace of mind and added protection when traveling. You are eligible for trip protection whether you are purchasing tickets with money or miles. Learn more.
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