Alaska Airlines Baggage Fees (2026)
Quick summary
Alaska Airlines is a full-service U.S. carrier where every fare includes a free carry-on and a free personal item — you only pay for checked bags. Following an April 10, 2026 increase, checked bags now cost $45 for the first and $55 for the second on North American routes, charged per person each way (the third and each additional bag is $200). There is no longer a prepay online discount, so the price is the same whether you pay in advance or at the airport. Bag fees are waived for Atmos Rewards elite members, Atmos Rewards Visa cardholders (Alaska's co-brand card, formerly the Alaska Airlines Visa), Club 49 members, and active-duty military.
The bottom line on Alaska Airlines baggage
Alaska Airlines is a full-service carrier that bundles your carry-on and personal item free on every fare, so only bag-checkers pay. Since April 2026 there is no longer an online prepay discount, which removes an old way to save but also means the airport counter costs the same. The real sting is stacking: a third bag jumps to $200, and overweight or oversize each add $100 on top of the base fee.
The surest win is the Atmos Rewards Visa, which frees the first checked bag for you and up to six others on the same reservation and easily covers its annual fee. If you can pack within the free carry-on and personal item you pay nothing at all, and keeping each bag under 50 lbs and 62 linear inches avoids the surcharges.
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Our own 1–5 rating of Alaska Airlines's baggage policy, scored from the verified data on this page. See airline rankings → · How we score →
Hidden pitfalls most travelers miss
- Overweight (51–100 lbs, +$100) and oversize (63–115 in, +$100) surcharges stack on top of the base checked-bag fee.
- Since April 2026 there is no online prepay discount, so the price is the same whether you pay in advance or at the counter — the old way to save is gone.
- The third and each additional checked bag jumps to $200, far above the $45/$55 first two.
Alaska Airlinesbaggage allowance & fees at a glance
| 🎒 Personal item | One free personal item (purse, laptop bag, or small backpack) on every fare. It must fit under the seat in front of you. |
| 🧳 Carry-on allowance | One free carry-on bag on every fare, in addition to your personal item. It must fit in the overhead bin and stay within 22 x 14 x 9 inches. |
| 🧳 First checked bag | $45 |
| 🧳 Second checked bag | $55 |
Alaska Airlines checked bag fees
| 1st checked bag | $45 |
| 2nd checked bag | $55 |
| 3rd+ checked bag (each, North America) | $200 |
| Standard size/weight limit (no fee) | Up to 50 lbs and 62 linear inches |
| Overweight (51–100 lbs) | $100 extra per bag |
| Oversize (63–115 linear in) | $100 extra per bag |
Excess baggage cost calculator
Estimate what Alaska Airlines will actually charge for your bags — one way, typical domestic/regional route.
- Checked bag #1$45
Estimates only. Fees vary by route, fare type, and date — always confirm before booking.
Alaska Airlines vs Delta Air Lines vs American Airlines: baggage compared
Head-to-head on the fees that actually decide the cheaper airline for bags.
| Alaska Airlines | Delta Air Lines | American Airlines | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carry-on included | ✅ Free | ✅ Free | ✅ Free |
| 1st checked bag | $45 | $45 | $45 |
| 2nd checked bag | $55 | $55 | $55 |
| Overweight surcharge | $100 | $100 | $100 |
| Weight limit | 23 kg | 23 kg | 23 kg |
Flying Alaska Airlines abroad?
Alaska Airlines is a full-service carrier based in US — if this is an international trip, a travel eSIM means you land with data already working, with no roaming bill.
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🔁 Change & cancellation
Most fares (except Saver/basic economy) allow free changes and cancellations with the value returned as a credit. All tickets booked directly can be canceled for a full refund within 24 hours of purchase if booked at least 24 hours before departure. Saver fares are generally non-changeable.
Alaska Airlines flight delayed or cancelled?
Compensation rules follow the route, not the airline — a US-departing Alaska Airlines flight delayed 3+ hours can be worth up to €600. Checking costs nothing.
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Other common fees
| Carry-on pet (in cabin, each way) | $100 |
| Unaccompanied minor | $50 each way |
What stops you paying these fees on Alaska Airlines
- An overweight bag costs +$100 here over 23 kg, each way. A scale costs about $10 — the maths on that →
How to avoid extra fees
- Carry the Atmos Rewards Visa (Alaska's co-brand card, formerly the Alaska Airlines Visa) to get your first checked bag free for you and up to 6 others on the same reservation — it easily pays for the annual fee.
- Pack within the free carry-on (22 x 14 x 9 in) and personal item to fly with no bag fees at all.
- Since April 2026 there is no online discount, but you still save time by adding bags during check-in instead of at the counter.
- Atmos Rewards elite status, Club 49 (Alaska residents), and active-duty military all get free checked bags — active-duty military receive up to five free bags at 70 lbs each.
- Keep each bag under 50 lbs and 62 linear inches to avoid the $100 overweight or $100 oversize surcharge that stacks on top of the standard bag fee.
Alaska Airlines baggage — FAQ
＋ − How much is the first checked bag on Alaska Airlines?
As of April 10, 2026, the first checked bag is $45 and the second is $55 on North American routes, charged per person each way. The third and each additional bag is $200. International fees can differ.
＋ − Is the carry-on bag free on Alaska Airlines?
Yes. Every Alaska fare includes one free carry-on bag plus one free personal item. The carry-on must fit the overhead bin (22 x 14 x 9 inches).
＋ − How can I avoid checked bag fees on Alaska?
Pay nothing if you have Atmos Rewards elite status, an Atmos Rewards Visa card (first bag free), Club 49 membership, or are active-duty military. Otherwise, travel with only a carry-on and personal item.
＋ − What are Alaska's overweight and oversize bag fees?
A checked bag is free up to 50 lbs and 62 linear inches. Bags of 51–100 lbs add $100, and bags of 63–115 linear inches add $100. These surcharges are charged in addition to the standard checked-bag fee.
Sources & official policy links
Independent guide — not affiliated with Alaska Airlines. Figures here reflect Alaska Airlines's published US fares as of 2026-07-12.