FYI: We may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through a link on our site, at no additional cost to you. Please refer to our Disclosure for more details. Show
Table of Contents[Hide][Show]
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’re going to be flying Alaska Airlines, here are the Carry-On rules you need to be aware of regarding size, weight, fees, liquids, etc. Alaska Airlines Carry-On Size & Weight RestrictionsAlaska 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 Airlines Carry-On Size RestrictionsAlaska’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 Airlines Personal Item Size & RestrictionsPersonal 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.
Alaska Airlines Carry-On Weight LimitsAlaska does not impose weight restrictions on carry-on bags. However, when checking a bag, the weight limit is 50 pounds per bag. Carry-On Rules for Small Regional AircraftIf 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. &nbsp;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.</p><p>Despite this “official rule” there are some bags you can carry on a regional jet.&nbsp; Check out this article on the <a target="_blank" href="https://milepro.com/best-carry-on-luggage-regional-jets/">best carry-on luggage for regional jets</a>.</p><h2 id="h-carry-on-liquids-alaska-airlines-liquids-policy">Carry-On Liquids (Alaska Airlines Liquids Policy)</h2><p>The rules for <a target="_blank" href="https://milepro.com/the-tsa-liquids-rule/">carry-on liquids</a> are set by the TSA (Transportation Security Administration), not by the airline.&nbsp; Alaska Airlines doesn’t have its own specific Liquids Policy, they just enforce the rules and policies of the TSA.</p><p><span id="ezoic-pub-ad-placeholder-141" class="ezoic-adpicker-ad"></span>It’s also important to note that the rules for bringing a “liquid” in your carry-on bag are different from the rules that govern what you can bring in your checked luggage.</p><p>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.</p><h3 id="h-the-tsa-3-1-1-rule">The TSA 3-1-1 Rule</h3><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>Here is a little video to help illustrate:<span id="ezoic-pub-ad-placeholder-142" class="ezoic-adpicker-ad"></span></p><span id="ezoic-pub-ad-placeholder-145" class="ezoic-adpicker-ad"></span><span class="ezoic-ad ezoic-at-0 leader-1 leader-1145 adtester-container adtester-container-145" data-ez-name="milepro_com-leader-1"><span id="div-gpt-ad-milepro_com-leader-1-0" ezaw="580" ezah="400" style="position:relative;z-index:0;display:inline-block;padding:0;width:100%;max-width:1200px;margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto!important;min-height:400px;min-width:580px" class="ezoic-ad"><script data-ezscrex="false" data-cfasync="false" style="display:none">if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[580,400],'milepro_com-leader-1','ezslot_5',145,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-milepro_com-leader-1-0');</p><figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"><iframe loading="lazy" title="TSA's 3-1-1 Liquids Rule" width="800" height="450" data-ezsrc="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ApD2hRP8d_I?start=66&feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen class="ezlazyload"></iframe></div></figure><p>Exceptions to this rule are <a href="https://www.tsa.gov/travel/special-procedures" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">certain medications</a> and <a href="https://www.tsa.gov/travel/special-procedures/traveling-children" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">baby food/child nourishment</a>.</p><div class="mailmunch-forms-in-post-middle" style="display:none!important"></div><h2 id="h-carry-on-food">Carry-On Food</h2><p>The TSA also sets the rules for what type of <a target="_blank" href="https://milepro.com/food-on-a-plane/">food</a> you can bring on the plane. There are two different scenarios pertaining to food: </p><ul><li>The food you bring with you from home, and</li><li>The food you buy at the airport after you have gone through security.</li></ul><p>When bringing food with you from home, an important thing to note is the classification of liquid vs. solid foods. </p><p>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 <a href="https://www.tsa.gov/travel/frequently-asked-questions/what-3-1-1-liquids-rule" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">3-1-1 liquids rule</a>, 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).</p><p>Here’s a link to the TSA website advising what <a href="https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/food" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">food can be brought with you</a> 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.</p><h2 id="h-alaska-airlines-carry-on-pet-policy">Alaska Airlines Carry-On Pet Policy</h2><p>Alaska Airlines may not charge for your carry-on bag, but they will charge for your carry-on pet.</p><p>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”</p><span id="ezoic-pub-ad-placeholder-146" class="ezoic-adpicker-ad"></span><span class="ezoic-ad ezoic-at-0 large-mobile-banner-1 large-mobile-banner-1146 adtester-container adtester-container-146" data-ez-name="milepro_com-large-mobile-banner-1"><span id="div-gpt-ad-milepro_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0" ezaw="250" ezah="250" style="position:relative;z-index:0;display:inline-block;padding:0;width:100%;max-width:1200px;margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto!important;min-height:90px;min-width:728px" class="ezoic-ad"><script data-ezscrex="false" data-cfasync="false" style="display:none">if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'milepro_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_8',146,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-milepro_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0'); 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. Sometimes it’s nice to bring your furry friends on a trip with you 🙂Alaska Airlines Carry-On Pet FeesHere is a chart showing the pet fees Alaska charges each way. Double them for a round-trip flight.
TSA Approved Pet Carrier for AlaskaIf 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. Prohibited Items on Alaska AirlinesThere are certain items that are considered dangerous and classified as hazardous material. 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. Items considered “dangerous goods” are prohibited under Alaska’s carry-on policy and include the following:
The following items are not considered “dangerous goods” and are allowed when packaged properly, in accordance with FAA regulations
A complete list can be found on the FAA and TSA websites. Summary: Alaska Airlines Carry-On Size & FeesAlaska 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. More related articles….
How strict is Alaska Airlines personal item?Alaska Airlines are fairly strict and limit passengers to one carry on and one personal item. Should your luggage be deemed oversize, you run the risk of having to pay extras at the gate.
Does a backpack count as a carryA good rule of thumb is that if your carry-on bag fits under the seat in front of you, it's considered a personal item. This includes small backpacks, purses, briefcases, laptop bags, etc. Larger bags, including suitcases, must fit in the overhead bin compartment.
What size backpack is considered a personal item?Personal Items:
The maximum dimensions for your personal item, such as a shoulder bag, backpack, laptop bag or other small item, are 9 inches x 10 inches x 17 inches (22 cm x 25 cm x 43 cm).
|