Alaska Airlines · Bags & fees
Alaska Airlines bags, fees & check-in
What you'll actually pay Alaska before you board: checked and carry-on bags, weight and size limits, Saver fare rules, change fees and check-in deadlines. Plain numbers, stated assumptions, and a date you can trust.
Unless noted, prices are for domestic Main Cabin (economy), per bag, per person, each way. Atmos Rewards elite status, the co-branded Atmos Rewards Visa, the Saver fare, and international routes change these numbers, and each is flagged below.
Checked bag fees
Alaska charges per checked bag, and the price climbs with each bag. The fee is the same whether you prepay online or pay at the airport. First Class includes two free checked bags (up to 70 lbs each).
| Bag | Main Cabin / Saver | First Class |
|---|---|---|
| 1st checked bag | $45 | Free |
| 2nd checked bag | $55 | Free |
| 3rd+ checked bag | $200 | $200 |
Standard allowance applies up to 50 lbs and 62 linear inches (length + width + height). First Class bags can weigh up to 70 lbs. Heavier or larger bags add the surcharges below.
Fees are charged per person, each way. The same allowance applies on Hawaiian-branded flights now that the two airlines share one reservation system.
Carry-on & personal item
Every Alaska fare, Saver included, comes with one free carry-on plus one free personal item. That's a real difference from rivals whose basic-economy fares strip the overhead bag. The carry-on must fit the sizer including handles and wheels.
If your checked bags aren't on the carousel within 20 minutes of your plane reaching the gate, Alaska gives you a choice of 2,500 bonus Atmos Rewards points or a $25 discount code for a future flight. Find an Alaska agent within two hours of landing to claim it. It covers domestic Alaska flights only (customs makes international timing unpredictable), and pays once per passenger.
Overweight & oversize fees
These surcharges stack on top of the standard checked bag fee, so a heavy first bag can run well over $150. A bag that's both overweight and oversize can incur a combined charge.
| Bag exceeds | Surcharge (added) |
|---|---|
| 51–70 lbs (overweight) | +$100 |
| 71–100 lbs (overweight) | +$200 |
| Over 100 lbs | Not accepted |
| 63–115 linear inches (oversize) | +$200 |
| Both oversize & up to 70 lbs | +$300 |
| Both oversize & 71–100 lbs | +$400 |
First Class and elite weight allowances reach 70 lbs before the overweight surcharge applies. Bags over 100 lbs or 115 linear inches aren't accepted as checked baggage.
Basic Economy rules
Saver is Alaska's cheapest fare, its answer to basic economy. The key win: Saver keeps the free full-size carry-on. What you give up is flexibility and seat choice. Saver fares can't be changed at all after the 24-hour booking window; you'd have to cancel and rebook.
| What you get | Saver | Main Cabin |
|---|---|---|
| Full-size carry-on | Free | Free |
| Personal item | Free | Free |
| Advance seat selection | Paid (or assigned) | Free |
| Flight changes | Not allowed | No change fee |
| Boarding | Last group | Standard |
Saver seats are assigned automatically at check-in (up to 24 hours before departure) unless you pay for advance selection. Atmos Rewards points earning on Saver fares ended for new bookings as of June 11, 2026: Saver fares booked on or after June 11, 2026 for travel on or after August 1, 2026 earn zero Atmos points. Fares booked before June 11 continue to earn at 30% of miles flown even on August 1+ travel dates.
Changes, cancellations & seats
Alaska charges no change fee on Main Cabin, Premium Class and First Class. You pay only the fare difference. Saver is the carve-out: it can't be changed at all outside the 24-hour window.
| Action | Main Cabin & up | Saver |
|---|---|---|
| Change fee | $0 + fare diff. | Not allowed |
| Cancel for travel credit | Yes | No |
| 24-hour free cancellation | Yes | Yes |
| Same-day confirmed change | Fee may apply | Not eligible |
On a non-refundable Main Cabin ticket, moving to a cheaper flight returns the difference as an Alaska travel credit valid 12 months. Every fare can be cancelled free within 24 hours of booking.
Check-in & bag-drop deadlines
Miss these cutoffs and Alaska can deny boarding. They apply whether or not you're checking a bag. Alaska raised the domestic check-in deadline to 50 minutes in late 2024.
| Flight type | Check-in / bag-drop by |
|---|---|
| Domestic (U.S.) | 50 min before departure |
| International | 60 min before departure |
| Boarding (be at the gate) | 30 min before departure |
Online and app check-in opens 24 hours before departure. Airport bag-drop counters typically open 2–3 hours before, depending on the airport.
Onboard experience
What the seat and service actually look like by cabin. Alaska runs a three-cabin layout on most mainline jets: First Class, Premium Class and Main Cabin. Specs vary by aircraft type.
| Cabin | What's notable |
|---|---|
| Main Cabin | Standard seat. Free non-alcoholic drinks; snacks and meals for purchase. |
| Premium Class | Up to ~4″ extra legroom, early boarding, and free beer/wine and a premium snack. |
| First Class | Wider recline, two free checked bags, dedicated service, free meals and drinks. |
Alaska's mainline fleet is largely Boeing 737; widebody Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners (via the Hawaiian fleet) now operate long-haul international routes from Seattle.
Where Alaska flies
Alaska is the West Coast's largest carrier, built around Seattle with a string of Pacific-facing hubs. Since merging with Hawaiian it also serves the Islands and a growing long-haul map.
Best time to fly Alaska
These are seasonal patterns, not bookable fares. Sign in to search live Alaska fares for your exact dates.
Seasonal patterns are typical for Alaska's West Coast and Hawaii routes and vary by destination; they're planning guidance, not bookable prices.
How to skip the fees
Alaska baggage FAQ
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