Policies
Customers of size seating guidelines
We strive to best serve our customers' unique needs by providing a safe and comfortable flight for all passengers.
We require the purchase of an additional seat for any customer who cannot comfortably fit within one seat with the armrests in the down position. The armrest is considered to be the definitive boundary between seats; width between the armrests typically measures 17 inches for coach and 21 inches for First Class. The purchase of an additional seat(s) serves as a notification to Alaska Airlines of a special seating need, and allows us to adequately plan for the number of seats that will be occupied on the aircraft. Most importantly, it ensures that all customers onboard have access to safe and comfortable seating.
After you have completed travel, if all Alaska Airlines flights in each direction departed with an open seat available, you will be eligible for a refund of the second seat.
Booking instructions
Please call Alaska Airlines reservations at 1-800-252-7522 to ensure your reservation is booked correctly.
Benefits of booking ahead through Alaska Airlines reservations:
- Call center ticketing fees are waived
- Adjacent seating is reserved in advance
- Both seats are purchased at the same low fare
Refund instructions
You can request a refund by using our online form or contacting Customer Care at 1-800-654-5669. Simply provide the name on the ticket, travel dates, flight information and ticket number. Refunds must be requested within 90 days of travel.
Seatbelt extensions
The seat width on all Alaska Airlines aircraft (armrest to armrest) is approximately 17 inches and the seatbelt length is approximately 46 inches. Passengers needing extra coverage may ask the flight attendant for a seatbelt extension, which adds 25 inches to the seatbelt length. Only seatbelt extensions provided by the specific aircraft operator may be used onboard.
Seat belt extensions are prohibited:
- in Exit Rows
Customer of size policy Q&A
What if I did not purchase the second seat in advance?
Why do I have to purchase a second seat if the plane is not full?
What are the typical seat dimensions?
Aircraft type | Coach class | First Class |
---|---|---|
737 | 17 inches wide | 21 inches wide |
Q400 | 17 inches wide | n/a |
CRJ 200 and 700 | 17 inches wide | n/a |
E175 | 18 inches wide | 20 inches wide |
Please note, the armrests in First Class do not rise. If you're unable to comfortably fit into a First Class seat, you'll need to purchase two seats in the Coach cabin. . Also, the armrests do not rise in row 6 on 737 & E175 aircraft, seat 1A on Q400 aircraft, and row 1 on CRJ 200 & 700 aircraft.
Do I earn frequent flyer miles for the second seat?
Can anyone purchase an extra seat?
Can I use a seatbelt extension instead of purchasing an additional seat?
Can I use the extra seat for pets and bags?
What's the price of an additional seat?
If I sit next to a family member, am I required to buy an additional seat?
Am I allowed to bring additional baggage?
Can I book a second seat on a flight operated by another airline?
If I need to change my reservation, will I be charged two change fees?
If I need to change my reservation, will I be charged the difference in fare for both seats?
Will I be allowed to pre-board the aircraft?
If my traveling companion and I both require extra seat space, can we purchase one extra seat between us?
Can I use a Companion Fare Discount Code or miles for the additional seat?
With this requirement, is Alaska Airlines in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act or the Air Carrier Access Act?
Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 12141(2), specifically excludes airline travel. Airline travel is instead, covered by the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA), 49 U.SC. 1374© and regulations implementing the Act issued by the Department of Transportation as 14 CFR Part 382. The ACAA preceded the ADA, and Congress excluded air carriers and other air transportation services from the scope of ADA.
As regulated under 14 CFR 382.87: Seating accommodations (f) "Carriers are not required to furnish more than one seat per ticket or to provide a seat in a class of service other than the one the passenger has purchased."