Alaska Airlines Charges for Checked Bags, Not Carry-On

Alaska Airlines charges for your first and second checked bags but does not charge for carry-on luggage or a personal item. Your first checked bag costs $35, and your second checked bag costs $40. Carry-on bags and personal items (purse, backpack, laptop bag) fly free on all Alaska Airlines flights.

The airline does not charge for checked bags on flights between Alaska and Hawaii, or between Alaska and the continental United States, if you are a resident of Alaska traveling to or from the state. You will need to show proof of residency at check-in.

If you do not check a bag, you save money and move faster through the airport. Many travelers pack everything into a carry-on and a personal item to avoid the $35 fee entirely.

Key Takeaways

  • Your first checked bag costs $35 and your second costs $40 on most Alaska Airlines flights.
  • Carry-on bags and personal items do not have a fee and are included with every ticket.
  • Alaska residents traveling between Alaska and the continental United States or Hawaii may not pay checked bag fees if they show proof of residency.
  • Bags that weigh more than 50 pounds or measure more than 62 inches (length plus width plus height) incur additional oversize or overweight fees.
  • Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan members at higher tiers receive free checked bags as part of their membership benefits.

Overweight and Oversize Bag Charges

A standard checked bag can weigh up to 50 pounds and measure up to 62 inches when you add the length, width, and height together. If your bag exceeds either limit, you pay an additional fee at the airport when you check in.

Bags weighing 51 to 100 pounds cost an extra $100. Bags weighing more than 100 pounds are not accepted. Bags measuring 63 to 80 inches cost an extra $100, and bags measuring more than 80 inches are not accepted either. If your bag is both overweight and oversize, you pay both fees.

Measure and weigh your bag before you arrive at the airport. Most airports have scales near the check-in counter, but arriving early enough to repack if needed saves time and frustration.

What Mileage Plan Members Pay

Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan members receive free checked bags based on their tier level. Members at the MVP level get one free checked bag. MVP Gold, MVP Gold Plus, and MVP Diamond members get two free checked bags. Non-members and members below MVP level pay the standard $35 and $40 fees.

If you fly Alaska Airlines more than once or twice a year, the annual membership fee may pay for itself in checked bag savings alone. The membership also includes priority boarding, extra Mileage Plan miles on purchases, and discounts on seat upgrades.

Baggage Fees on Partner Airlines

When you book a flight on a partner airline through Alaska Airlines — such as American, Delta, or United — you pay that airline's baggage fees, not Alaska Airlines' fees. Check the specific airline's policy before you book, because fees vary widely.

If you are flying on a codeshare flight (a flight operated by another airline but sold under an Alaska Airlines flight number), the operating airline's baggage policy applies. The Alaska Airlines website shows which airline operates each flight, usually in small text near the flight number.

Special Items and Sports Equipment

Sporting equipment such as golf clubs, skis, snowboards, and surfboards count as checked bags and cost $35 for the first item and $40 for the second. Bicycles cost $35 if packed in a bike bag or hard case, or $100 if not. Musical instruments may be carried on board if they fit in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you.

Car seats and strollers do not count toward your checked bag limit and do not incur a fee. You can check them at the gate for free if you do not have room in the cabin, or you can bring them to your seat if space allows.

How to Avoid or Reduce Baggage Fees

Pack light and use only a carry-on bag and personal item to avoid the $35 first-bag fee entirely. Many travelers fit a week's worth of clothing into a rolling carry-on by rolling clothes instead of folding them and choosing versatile pieces that work together.

If you travel with Alaska Airlines regularly, join the Mileage Plan. Even the free membership tier earns you miles toward future flights, and reaching MVP status gives you one free checked bag per flight. If you fly Alaska Airlines four or more times per year, the MVP membership tier usually pays for itself.

Book directly through Alaska Airlines' website or app rather than through a third-party travel site. Some third-party sites do not show baggage fees clearly at checkout, and you may discover the fee only at the airport.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I bring two carry-on bags on Alaska Airlines?

Yes. You can bring one standard carry-on bag (22 by 14 by 9 inches or smaller) and one personal item (purse, backpack, or laptop bag). Both fit in the overhead bin or under the seat without a fee.

What happens if my bag is one pound over 50 pounds?

You pay the $100 overweight fee. Alaska Airlines weighs bags at check-in, and the scale does not round down. Repack before you arrive at the airport if you think your bag is close to the limit.

Do I pay baggage fees for connecting flights?

No. You pay one baggage fee per bag for your entire trip, regardless of how many flights you take. Check your bag at your first airport, and it will travel through to your final destination.

Can I pay for extra checked bags in advance?

Yes. You can add checked bags to your reservation on the Alaska Airlines website or app before you arrive at the airport. Paying in advance sometimes costs slightly less than paying at the counter, though prices vary by route.

Do Alaska Airlines baggage fees explore to award tickets?

Baggage fees explore to award tickets the same way they explore to paid tickets. Mileage Plan members at MVP level and above receive free checked bags on award flights as well as paid flights.