Alaska Airlines Carry On Size Guide: Dimensions, Personal Item Rules and Packing Tips

If you are flying Alaska Airlines, the rules for bags in the cabin are clear and friendly. Your baggage allowance varies by fare. All passengers are entitled to one personal item, but a carry-on bag is only included at no extra charge on higher fare classes. Saver fares may require an additional fee.

The catch is that your carry on really does need to fit Alaska’s size box. If it looks too big, gate agents can ask you to check it, especially on full flights.

Alaska Airlines Carry On Size and Allowance

Carry on size limit

• Maximum carry on size is 22 by 14 by 9 inches
• These measurements include wheels and handles

Cabin Items Included

• One carry on bag for the overhead compartment
• One personal item that must fit under the seat in front of you

Carry On Weight limit

• No official weight limit for carry on or personal item
• You must be able to lift your own bag into the overhead compartment safely

Personal item size

• It must fit under the seat in front of you
• Something around 17 by 13 by 5 inches or smaller usually works well as an under seat bag

If your main cabin bag is 22 by 14 by 9 inches or smaller and your personal item is clearly under seat sized, you are within Alaska’s published rules.

Alaska Airlines Carry On Rules

Carry on Rules

• Maximum size 22 inches long, 14 inches wide, 9 inches high, including wheels and handle
• Must fit fully in the overhead bin
• No formal weight limit, but you need to be able to lift it yourself

Personal item Rules

• Examples include laptop bag, briefcase, purse, small backpack, or compact tote
• Must fit completely under the seat in front of you
• Alaska does not state an exact size, but under seat space on most aircraft is roughly in the 14 to 18 inch length range

Extra Items

• Jacket or coat
• Umbrella
• Small bag of food or snacks
• Book or kindle
• Child safety seat and stroller when traveling with a child
• Medical or assistive devices such as crutches or a small collapsible wheelchair

Unlike some carriers, Alaska Airlines includes a personal item with every ticket. However, your eligibility for a free carry-on bag depends on your fare class. "Saver" fares are limited to one personal item, while "Main" fares and higher include both a personal item and a carry-on.

Alaska Airlines Carry On vs. Personal Item

Carry On Bags

• Small rolling suitcase that meets the 22 by 14 by 9 inch limit
• Soft sided duffel designed as a cabin bag
• Travel backpack that is compact enough to qualify as a cabin suitcase

Remember that 22 by 14 by 9 inches refers to the outside of the bag, including wheels, handles and pockets.

Personal Item

These go under the seat in front of you

• Laptop bag or work briefcase
• Medium purse or cross body bag
• Small backpack
• Small tote that can slide under the seat without blocking the aisle

If your personal item looks like a second suitcase, staff are likely to treat it as a second carry on and may ask you to check one of your bags.

Alaska Airlines Carry On Weight Limit

Officially, there isn't a specific number for carry on weight. There is no stated maximum in pounds or kilograms for your overhead bag or your personal item.

However, there are two limits to keep in mind:

• You need to be able to lift your bag into the overhead bin yourself without risking injury. If a bag is obviously too heavy to be handled safely, crew can insist it be checked.
• If part of your trip is on a partner airline, especially outside North America, that other airline may have strict cabin weight rules. In that case, the partner rules apply on that flight even if your ticket was sold by Alaska.

How Strict is Alaska Airlines on Carry Ons?

Alaska is similar to other major United States carriers. On some days the staffs are relaxed, and on others they are strict, especially when flights are very full. There are a few consistent patterns.

• Alaska uses metal or plastic bag sizers at many gates and check in areas. If your suitcase does not fit into the sizer, it may be checked.
• Hard shell suitcases that are bigger than 22 by 14 by 9 inches, or beyond their normal depth, are most likely to be flagged or checked.
• Soft sided bags that are flexible and not overstuffed have a better chance of fitting even if they are close to the limit.
• On completely full flights, even perfectly sized bags may be gate checked once bins are full. Boarding position matters when overhead space is tight.

Alaska Airlines Carry On: Special Items

Special Items that count as Carry On

• Small musical instruments in a suitable case
• Art portfolios or artwork that fits in the bin
• Fishing poles or compact sports equipment that can be stowed safely
• Certain delicate scientific or technical devices

Special Items that does not count as Carry On

• Coats and jackets you are wearing or carrying
• Umbrellas
• Small shopping bag with food or snacks
• Reasonable reading material
• Child restraint system and stroller
• Medical and mobility equipment

Alaska Airlines Carry On: Packing Tips

Carry On Outer Percautions

• Avoid using expansion zippers on a suitcase.
• Keep outer pockets flat. Stuffed pockets are the main reason a bag fails the sizer.

Smart Packing your Carry On

• Place heavy items such as chargers, power bank, camera, and some toiletries in your under seat bag.
• Keep essentials like medication, valuables, important documents, and one change of clothes in the personal item in case the roller is gate checked at the last minute.

Smart Tips for Carry On

• Wear your heaviest shoes instead of packing them.
• Carry your coat or hoodie and put it in the overhead bin on top of your bag instead of packing it inside the suitcase.

Boarding Earlier for your Carry On

• Earlier boarding means a better chance of finding overhead space near your seat.
• If you have Alaska elite status or a co branded credit card, it grants earlier boarding and other perks along with it.