Alaska Airlines Baggage Rules: Carry-On, Personal Item and Bag Fees

Where these numbers come from

Alaska Airlines raised its checked bag prices effective April 10, 2026. The first bag moved from $40 to $45, the second from $45 to $55, and a third or later bag from $150 to $200. The airline blamed fuel price swings. It also dropped the old discount for prepaying online, so the price is the same at the airport. Members of the Atmos Rewards program, Club 49, active military and some cardholders keep their free-bag benefits.

Cabin rules are simple and friendly. Every fare, including the lowest Saver fare, is reported to include one carry-on of 22 x 14 x 9 inches plus one personal item. Alaska does not publish personal item dimensions, only that it must fit under the seat, so soft-sided bags that compress are the safest choice. Because the carry-on is free, many travelers skip checking altogether on short trips.

Here is a typical example. A family of three flies round trip with two checked bags in total. The first bag costs $45 and the second $55 each way, so one direction is $100 and the round trip is $200 for the pair. A third checked bag would add $200 each way, which is a strong reason to repack or ship something ahead of time. On an intra-Hawaii trip the same two bags would cost only $70 each way.

Weight and size are the main gotchas. A checked bag can weigh 50 pounds and measure 62 inches. From 51 to 70 pounds the surcharge is $100, and from 71 to 100 pounds it is $200. Oversize bags of 63 to 115 inches are reported at $200, although one guide lists $150, so confirm at booking. Bags that are both oversize and overweight can stack charges, reportedly up to $300 to $400 in total.

Hawaiian Airlines is now part of the same company. The two carriers received a single FAA operating certificate on October 29, 2025, and planned to move to one passenger service system in April 2026. Hawaiian remains a separate brand, and the higher bag fees apply to its North America flights too. Always check which brand operates your flight, since intra-Hawaii pricing is lower.

Estimate a complete trip with the total bag cost calculator or find the cheapest carrier for your luggage using the cheapest airline calculator. Compare with Southwest and Delta, or see the Alaska baggage fees page. Alaska's own site needs JavaScript, so these figures come from guides quoting it.

Sources

• Alaska Airlines checked baggage fees and policies (official, needs JavaScript)
• Seattle Red: Alaska checked bag fee increase 2026
• Upgraded Points: Alaska baggage fees (updated 2026-06-10)
• Alaska news: single operating certificate with Hawaiian Airlines
• Airline-fees.com: Alaska baggage fees (updated 2026-09-27)

Figures checked on September 30, 2026.

This page is general information, not legal, insurance or travel-agent advice. Fees, rules and limits change, so confirm the figures with the official sources listed above before you book or travel.