Alaska Airlines Carry-On Rules: Everything Need to Know

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, here are the Carry-On rules you need to be aware of:

Alaska Airlines Carry-On Bag Guidelines

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.

What does Alaska Airlines consider a Personal item?

Personal items include a purse, briefcase, laptop, backpack, shopping bag or a similar sized item.

These items may be brought onboard without counting toward your carry-on limit.

• Coats, hats, umbrellas (compact size that easily fits into an overhead bin, under the seat or in a suitcase)
• A pillow for personal use
• Food for immediate consumption
• Reasonable amount of reading material
• FAA approved child/infant restraint seats to be occupied by a child, strollers (based on space availability; space guaranteed only with the purchase of a ticket for the infant). Visit our Batteries and Electronics page if the stroller has a battery or power bank.
• Service Animals, including properly documented emotional support animals
• Mobility/Medical assistive devices such as wheelchairs, canes, crutches, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines, approved portable oxygen concentrators (POC), breast pump, etc.
• Prescription medications and any medical devices needed to administer them (for example: syringes, auto- injections) if they comply with applicable safety, security, and hazardous materials rules.

Alaska Airlines Carry-On Dimensions

Alaska’s size requirements for a carry-on are 22″ x 14″ x 9″.

If you are not sure what size your carry on is, Alaska does provide size check templates located at their ticket counters and gates.  But by the time you get to either of these locations it’s too late if the bag is too big, so better to always know your bag size in advance.

Carry-On Weight Limits

Alaska does not impose weight restrictions with a carry-on bag.

Carry-On Rules for Small Regional Aircraft

If you are flying one of Alaska Airlines region partner, Horizon or SkyWest, you can bring a personal item on board, but not a carry-on bag the aircraft 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 to a regional jet.  Check out this article on the best carry-on luggage for regional jets.

Carry-On Prohibited Items

There certain items are considered dangerous and classified as hazardous material.  Dangerous goods are prohibited from both your carry-on and checked bag in all Alaska flights.  These rules are not specific to Alaska and are mandated by the Federal Aviation Administration.

The list includes items such as aerosols, fireworks, matches, etc…  A complete list can be found on the FAA website and the TSA website.

Carry-On Liquids

The rules for carry-on liquids are set by the TSA and FAA.  Alaska doesn’t make the rules, but they must enforce them.

The TSA 3-1-1 Rule

Each passenger may carry liquids, gels and aerosols in travel-size containers that are 3.4 ounces or100 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, mouthwash 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 check point.

Here is a little video to help illustrate:

Exceptions to this rule are certain medications and baby food / child nourishments.

Carry-On Food

There are two different scenarios here.  Food you bring with you from home and food you buy at the airport, after you have gone through security.

Any important thing to note is the classification of liquid vs. solid foods.   The general rule is “If you can spill it, spread it, spray it, pump it, or pour it, then it’s considered a liquid or gel,”.   This means your food may be considered a liquid and will fall under the TSA 3-1-1 liquids rule, which mandates that any liquid, gel, cream, aerosol, or paste in a carry-on must be 3.4 ounces or less, and fit in one quart-size resealable bag (only one such bag is allowed per passenger).

Here is a link to the TSA website advising what food can be brought with you on your Alaska flight.  This applies to food you are bringing from home through security.   Once you get through security, you can bring just about any food on the plane that you buy at the airport.

Carry-On Pet Policy

Alaska Airlines may not charge for your carry-on bag, but they will charge for your carry-on pet.

If you are going to bring a pet on board with you, it must be able to fit in a small, ventilated pet carrier that fits under the seat in front of you.  The maximum dimensions for a hard-sided carrier are 17” x 11” x 7.5” and the dimensions for a soft-sided carrier are 17” x 11” x 9.5”

Pets in cabin kennels will count as your one carry-on item.  In addition to the kennel, you can bring one personal item onboard the aircraft.

Carry-On Pet Fees

Here is a chart showing the pet fees Alaska charges each way.   Double them for a round trip flight.

TSA Approved Pet Carrier for Alaska

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.

Alaska Airlines Carry-On Fee

Alaska does not 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.