Can you carry on luggage on alaska airlines

Quick guide to Alaska Airlines carry-on rules: allowed bag sizes and weights, personal item policy, fee exemptions, boarding priority impact, and steps to avoid gate-check charges.
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Quick recommendation: Travelers are allowed one standard cabin bag plus one personal item at no extra charge on most domestic fares. Standard cabin dimensions: 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm) including wheels and handles; personal item should fit under the seat (common guideline ~17 × 11 × 9 in / 43 × 28 × 23 cm). No published weight limit for cabin pieces, but size and handling restrictions apply at the gate.

Practical tips: Measure bags before departure and use soft-sided models when possible to squeeze into overhead bins. Place fragile or high-value items in the under-seat item. If a gate agent deems a cabin bag oversized, it may be gate-checked and could incur checked-bag fees or handling charges. Keep boarding pass and fare rules handy to confirm allowance tied to the ticket class.

Packing strategy: Reserve the overhead bin space by boarding early (priority boarding when available) and compress clothes to save room. Carry essential documents, medication and electronics in the under-seat item. For families, strollers and child safety seats are typically handled separately at the gate–verify this on the reservation page or with reservations before arrival.

Final advice: Review the reservation details and the carrier’s most recent cabin-bag policy within 24–48 hours of departure, weigh checked items at home if planning to check bags, and be prepared to reorganize or check an item at the gate to avoid delays.

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Cabin baggage: measurements, gate procedures and exceptions

Recommendation: verify dimensions before heading to the airport – main cabin bag limit is 22 x 14 x 9 inches (total exterior size, wheels and handles included); personal item must fit entirely beneath the seat in front.

Measuring and packing tips

Use a tape measure and include wheels, handles and any external pockets in measurements. Place liquids in containers of 3.4 oz / 100 ml or smaller inside a single, clear quart-size resealable bag. Spare lithium batteries and power banks must be kept in the cabin with terminals taped or in original packaging; devices with installed batteries are allowed in carry items only if stowable in the cabin area. Pack fragile or valuable contents in the personal item that stays under the seat.

Oversize, sports equipment and musical instruments

If the main cabin bag exceeds the stated dimensions, options at the gate include gate-checking (subject to the carrier’s discretion) or checking the item at the ticket counter; plan extra time for handling. Sporting goods and larger instruments often require advance notice or paid checked handling; small instruments that fit the overhead or under the seat may be accepted as a cabin item but boarding space is not guaranteed – reserve a dedicated seat for very fragile or oversized instruments when possible.

Item Max size Recommended action
Main cabin bag 22 x 14 x 9 inches (including wheels/handles) Measure beforehand; stow in overhead. If over limit, gate-check or check at counter.
Personal item Must fit completely under seat (no fixed numeric standard) Keep valuables and essential documents here; test fitting under a chair at home if uncertain.
Liquids & batteries Liquids ≤3.4 oz / 100 ml in one quart-size bag; spare lithium batteries in cabin only Prepare quart bag at security; tape battery terminals and keep spares in carry container.

Cabin bag size and weight limits for this carrier

Limit the onboard bag to 22″ x 14″ x 9″ (56 x 35 x 23 cm) total dimensions, measured including wheels and handles; plus one personal item that must fit fully under the seat (rough guideline 17″ x 13″ x 9″ / 43 x 33 x 23 cm).

No published maximum weight for cabin items; gate agents require stowable items only and may gate-check oversized or heavy pieces. For checked pieces, respect the standard 50 lb (23 kg) per bag allowance for most fares–overweight fees apply for heavier pieces.

Measure bags with wheels and handles attached. Soft-sided cases compress better into overhead bins; if overhead space is scarce, place valuables, documents, medications and electronics in the personal item. Consider purchasing priority boarding for guaranteed overhead space or plan to gate-check bulky items and label them clearly.

Small musical instruments and compact sports gear are accepted as an onboard item if they fit the stated dimensions; larger instruments may require a purchased seat or to travel as checked/oversized baggage–confirm with the carrier before departure.

Number of cabin items and personal-item allowance per passenger

Each ticketed passenger is allowed one cabin bag plus one personal item; both are included with the fare at no extra charge.

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  • Standard allowance: one cabin bag (stores in overhead bin) and one personal item (must fit beneath the seat in front) per ticketed passenger.
  • Infants and children: a parent or guardian traveling with an infant on the lap may also bring a diaper bag in addition to the standard two items; collapsible strollers and FAA‑approved child safety seats are accepted free of charge and often gate‑checked.
  • Medical and assistive equipment: wheelchairs, walkers, prosthetic devices, portable oxygen and other medically necessary items do not count toward the two‑item limit and are transported without additional fee.
  • Duty‑free and onboard purchases: duty‑free goods are treated as an extra item until stowed; retain receipts when required by airport security.
  • Musical instruments and specialty gear: items exceeding cabin dimensions may require a separate seat or checked handling; reserve space or purchase an extra seat before departure to guarantee onboard placement.
  • When overhead space is full at boarding, cabin bags are often gate‑checked free of charge with a visible tag and retrieved at baggage claim; request gate‑check service from gate staff.
  • Each passenger’s allowance is independent–items cannot be combined across passengers to exceed per‑person limits.

Practical advice: keep valuables, medications, travel documents and fragile electronics inside the personal item to ensure guaranteed under‑seat storage and immediate access during the flight.

What items are allowed or prohibited in cabin baggage for this carrier

Pack liquids in containers no larger than 3.4 oz (100 mL) and place all such containers together in one clear quart‑size resealable bag (one bag per passenger).

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  • Liquids, gels, aerosols: 3.4 oz / 100 mL limit per container, single quart bag for screening. Exceptions: prescription medications, baby formula, breast milk and other medically necessary liquids are permitted in reasonable quantities above 100 mL; declare these items at security screening.
  • Electronics & batteries: Laptops, tablets, phones, cameras allowed in cabin baggage. Spare lithium batteries must be carried in-cabin only; protect terminals (tape or original packaging). Lithium‑ion cells: up to 100 Wh per battery allowed without approval; 100–160 Wh allowed with prior carrier approval (typically limited to two spares); >160 Wh prohibited. Power banks must be in-cabin and treated as spare batteries.
  • Vaping devices and e-cigarettes: Devices must remain in-cabin and must not be used or charged onboard. Spare cartridges and batteries follow the spare battery rules.
  • Firearms and ammunition: Transport only in checked baggage, unloaded, locked in a hard-sided case, and declared at check-in. Ammunition must be in approved packaging; follow carrier and federal limits and declaration procedures.
  • Sharp objects and tools: Knives, box cutters, ice picks, and similar items prohibited in cabin. Small scissors with blades shorter than 4 inches generally permitted. Tools longer than 7 inches and most sporting equipment (baseball bats, golf clubs, ski poles) must be stowed in checked baggage.
  • Flammable/explosive/corrosive materials: Gasoline, paint, fireworks, lighter refills, tear gas, flares, and most flammable liquids and solids prohibited in both cabin and checked baggage.
  • Alcohol: Beverages >24% and ≤70% alcohol by volume are typically limited to 5 L per passenger in checked baggage and must be in unopened retail packaging; >70% alcohol prohibited. Duty‑free liquids in sealed tamper‑evident bags are allowed in cabin per purchase receipt rules.
  • Dry ice: Up to 5.5 lb (2.5 kg) of dry ice permitted if properly packaged and marked; ventilation requirements apply and some restrictions may exist for cabin carriage.
  • Medications and medical devices: Prescription medicines allowed in cabin; keep in original packaging when possible and carry supporting documentation. Syringes and needles permitted with medical documentation. Portable oxygen concentrators are allowed with prior carrier approval; compressed oxygen cylinders are generally prohibited.
  • Food: Solid food items permitted. Gel, creamy or liquid foods (yogurt, soup) count toward the 100 mL liquid allowance unless medically necessary or for infants.
  1. Place all 100 mL containers in one clear quart‑size bag for security screening.
  2. Keep spare lithium batteries and power banks in-cabin; tape terminals and pack in original boxes if possible.
  3. Declare firearms and ammunition at check-in; use a locked hard case and follow documentation rules.
  4. Pack sharp tools and sports equipment in checked baggage only.
  5. Carry prescriptions and medical documentation with the medical device paperwork; request carrier approval for portable oxygen concentrators when needed.

Reference TSA hazardous materials rules and the carrier’s specific dangerous goods page before departure for the latest restrictions and approval procedures.

Boarding, overhead bin space and priority for onboard placement

Secure priority boarding when bin availability matters: purchase priority boarding, travel in premium cabin, or hold top-tier status to board before main-cabin zones and reserve overhead space.

Load strategy: use a soft-sided cabin bag plus an under-seat personal item; compress fabric, tuck protruding handles, insert the bag wheels-first toward the fuselage wall or into the bin with the narrow edge leading to maximize remaining space; place heavier items centered over the wing to keep balance; if two bags must share one bin, lay one flat and the other on its side rather than standing both upright.

Gate procedures: if bins are full, gate agents frequently request gate-checking of larger items at no charge; tagged items may be returned at the jet bridge or delivered to the baggage area depending on aircraft type and airport operations. Present a compact personal bag with essentials and valuables for under-seat stowage to avoid loss or delay.

Wet or bulky gear: allow wet items to dry before stowing; pack liquids in sealed transparent bags and place them inside the personal item. For a compact folding umbrella that fits overhead or under-seat spaces consult best umbrella to buy in japan. For pre-trip cleaning of wheeled bags or vehicles used to transport bags, see best car pressure washer in pakistan.

Options and fees for oversized cabin baggage and gate-checked items

Request gate-checking at the gate if a cabin bag exceeds the carrier’s onboard-size limit; staff will tag the item for the hold and either waive a boarding-area charge or apply standard checked, oversize or overweight fees depending on fare class and flight load.

Typical fee structure (domestic itineraries): first checked piece $30, second checked piece $40. Oversize charge for pieces exceeding 62 linear inches (length + width + height) is commonly $100; overweight surcharge for 51–100 lb is commonly $100; items over 100 lb generally are not accepted on passenger aircraft and must move as cargo. International routes and premium fares may use different rates–verify when booking or at the ticket counter.

Practical options to avoid or reduce fees: weigh and measure bags at home; transfer heavier items into the checked piece or into a permitted personal item; swap to a soft-sided, compressible suitcase to fit the overhead bin; prepay checked-bag fees online during check-in to lower costs versus airport rates.

Gate-check procedure and retrieval: gate-checked items receive a gate tag and will either be placed in the aircraft hold or left at the jet bridge for collection after arrival. Strollers and mobility devices are typically gate-checked free of charge; photographic equipment, medications and valuables should remain with the passenger or be packed in carry items kept onboard.

When oversized pieces require special handling: very large items (e.g., surfboards, bikes, or shipments exceeding hold limits) usually require advance notice, separate fees and handling as special or cargo items; book these through customer service before travel to secure space and confirm charges.

Security and packing advice: remove batteries and loose electronics from gate-checked pieces; place fragile items in protective wrapping and label the bag as fragile; keep travel documents and one set of essentials on person. For a compact rain solution that stows easily inside a checked or personal item, consider this best umbrella for myrtle beach.

At the gate, ask the agent for an exact fee quote and the expected retrieval location before surrendering the item.

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Michael Turner
Michael Turner

Michael Turner is a U.S.-based travel enthusiast, gear reviewer, and lifestyle blogger with a passion for exploring the world one trip at a time. Over the past 10 years, he has tested countless backpacks, briefcases, duffels, and travel accessories to find the perfect balance between style, comfort, and durability. On Gen Buy, Michael shares detailed reviews, buying guides, and practical tips to help readers choose the right gear for work, gym, or travel. His mission is simple: make every journey easier, smarter, and more enjoyable with the right bag by your side.

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