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If you’re planning to travel with just a carry-on, you’ll need to be up to speed with airline carry-on policies. Specifically, the various rules and regulations each carrier has for what you can and cannot “carry on” to the plane. Each airline’s rules are different, so don’t just assume what works for one will work for all airlines.
If you are going to be flying Alaska Airlines, they have very specific guidelines for carry-on sizes, liquids, and other unique items that you may want to bring on board.
In this article, we’ll explain everything you need to know about Alaska Airlines’ carry-on policy. This includes their carry-on size and weight limits, liquid policy, personal items, pets, prohibited items, and other rules and restrictions you should know before boarding your flight.
Alaska Airlines allows one carry-on bag and one personal item onboard at no charge. At least one of the items should be stowed under the seat in front of you, and you’ll also need to be able to lift your own bag into the overhead bin.
Alaska’s size requirements for a carry-on are 22″ x 14″ x 9″.
If you’re not sure what size your carry-on is, Alaska typically provides “size check templates” located at their ticketing counters and departure gates. But if you wait until you get to either of these locations and have an issue, it’s too late.
Alaska does not impose weight restrictions on carry-on bags. However, when checking a bag, the weight limit is 50 pounds per bag.
If you are looking for a great carry-on bag when flying Alaska Airlines, I recommend the Travelpro Maxlite 5 Expandable Spinner. I have used this carry-on for years. It’s durable, reasonably priced, and holds everything I need for shorter trips. Plus the spinner wheels make it very easy to get through the airport quickly.
This carry-on bag has been sizer bin tested to accommodate overhead bin space on most major US airlines.
Note: If fully expanded it may not meet overhead bin size limits, so be careful to not overpack.
Personal items include a purse, briefcase, laptop, backpack, shopping bag, or a similar-sized item.
If you are flying one of Alaska Airlines’ region partners, Horizon or SkyWest, you can bring a personal item on board, but not a carry-on bag due to limited overhead space. Personal items must be able to fit under the seat in front of the passenger.
All carry-on bags within Alaska’s size restrictions will be gate checked, free of charge, during the boarding process and returned upon deplaning. These items will be specially tagged and returned to the cart for retrieval at a designated area on the ramp or jet bridge as you get off of your flight. Just find the red and white stop sign and your bags will be there within 5 minutes of deplaning.
Despite this “official rule” there are some bags you can carry on a regional jet. Check out this article on the best carry-on luggage for regional jets.
The rules for carry-on liquids are set by the TSA (Transportation Security Administration), not by the airline. Alaska Airlines doesn’t have its own specific Liquids Policy, they just enforce the rules and policies of the TSA.
It’s also important to note that the rules for bringing a “liquid” in your carry-on bag differ from those that govern what you can bring in your checked luggage.
Liquids in a carry-on bag must be 3.4 ounces or smaller and fit in a 1 quart-sized container. Anything larger must be placed in your checked luggage.
Each passenger may carry liquids, gels, and aerosols in travel-size containers that are 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters. Each passenger is limited to one quart-size bag of liquids, gels, and aerosols. Common travel items that must comply with the 3-1-1 liquids rule include toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, perfume, mouthwash, deodorant, and lotion.
Any liquid that does not meet the TSA 3-1-1 rule will either have to be checked with your luggage or will be thrown away at the security checkpoint.
Here is a chart showing the pet fees Alaska charges each way. Double them for a round-trip flight.
If you do plan on bringing your pet with you, make sure you follow TSA’s pet policy and have an approved Pet Carrier that conforms to Alaska’s pet policy.
I have traveled with 2 dogs over the last 10 years, one was a 20 lb. Shih Tzu-Bichon (in the picture above) and another is a 12lb. Chihuahua mix. We used the Sherpa pet carrier when bringing them on a flight with us and it worked great!
Features mesh panels so your pet can breathe easily, a non-slip shoulder strap, locking zippers, and a rear storage pocket for treats and other goodies.
Approved for use on most major airlines and the small and medium sizes are included in Sherpa's exclusive Guaranteed on Board program.
There are certain items that are considered dangerous and classified as hazardous materials. Dangerous goods are prohibited from both your carry-on and checked bag on all flights. These rules are not specific to any airline and are mandated by the Federal Aviation Administration.
Alaska doesn’t charge a fee for carry-on baggage that meets their size requirements. If your bag is too large and does not meet Alaska’s carry-on restrictions, you may be charged a fee to gate-check it.
Here is a link to Alaska’s Carry-On page to make sure you have the most up-to-date information.
