Alaska Airlines
The name Alaska Airlines was adopted in 1944 following a series of mergers that commenced when Linious “Mac” McGee, an Alaskan aviation pioneer, sold his aircraft to the Star Air Service in 1934. Alaska Airlines is currently head-quartered in the Seattle metropolitan area of the state of Washington. It has a fleet of 149 plans and flies to 118 domestic destinations.
Contact details
Alaska Airlines Phone Number: 1-800-252-7522
Website: alaskaair.com
Send an email to Alaska Airlines
Mailing Address:
Alaska Airlines
P.O. Box 68900
Seattle, WA 98168
You can find Alaska Airlines on several of the most popular social media websites:
What are my Alaska Airlines check-in options?
Mobile boarding passes and priority boarding
Priority boarding
Flying with children
Seating for infants and children
Unaccompanied children
Flying while pregnant
Group bookings
Disabled access and medical equipment
Pets and service animals
Mobile boarding passes and priority boarding
Online check-in is available from one to 24 hours before scheduled departure. You can download and print out your boarding pass through the main page of the website and select the second tab on the main box titled “Check in”. You can also check in using the Alaska Airlines mobile app downloadable here.
For added peace of mind, check out Cheapflights.com’ guide to 10 things to do before your flight.
Priority boarding
- 35 minutes before departure, members of the military, customers who need special services or additional time to board, and families with children under 2 years are called to board, followed by first class customers and then frequent fliers on the Alaska Mileage Plan elite plan, as well as those who have purchased Premium Class seating.
- 20 minutes before departure all remaining passengers are called to board, starting with customers seated behind the exit rows.
Flying with children
Passengers less than two-years-old, on the date of travel, are classified as infants, and there is no minimum age for infants traveling with the airline. Infants who travel on the lap of an adult age 18 or older are subject to infant fares and taxes. Each ticketed adult can carry one lap infant, and only one lap infant is allowed per row. Lap infants travel free of charge within the United States but are subject to approximately $17 USD in fees when traveling from an international location into the United States. Other fees apply for lap infants traveling from Costa Rica, and these are to be paid at the airport of departure:
- Boarding Tax: $27.00
- Baggage Inspection Fee: $2.00
Note that lap infants traveling to a destination outside of North America may need to be ticketed at a percentage of the applicable adult fare plus taxes. For inquiries, or to book/add an extra lap infant tickets, you can call Alaska Airlines reservations at 1-800-252-7522 with your confirmation code. Also, note that the Federal Aviation Administration requires all children who have reached their second birthday to occupy their own seat and travel on their own ticket.
Seating for infants and children
You can bring your child’s car seat and stroller free of charge as checked baggage. You can check these items with your other baggage, or wait until you reach the gate area. Your child-restraint system must bear both of the following labels:
- This restraint system conforms to all applicable federal motor vehicle safety conditions
- This restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft
Labels that indicate US or foreign government approval or show the seat was manufactured under the standards of the United Nations are also valid. You can determine whether your car seat will fit into the aircraft passenger seat by taking a look at the chart here, which show the dimensions of seats in the coach, premium, and first class sections.
Unaccompanied children
Children aged between five to twelve traveling without a legal guardian or adult aged over 18 years are required to use the Alaska Airlines Unaccompanied Children service. To book a child traveling alone via the www.alaskaair.com website, select “0 adults” and the total number of children traveling in the “children” field. Note that children traveling alone cannot be booked on flights departing between 9:00 pm and 5:00 am. There are further connection stipulations regarding unaccompanied child travel listed here. One point to note is that the guardian, and those accompanying them, must obtain an escort pass from the ticket counter in order to escort the child passengers(s) to or from the gate, and the guardian must remain in the boarding area until the child passenger’s flight has departed. If a friend or family member will be meeting the child passenger(s) in a connecting city, you must call three days prior to travel.
The Unaccompanied Children service is available for the following
· 5 to 7 years old: $25 each way per child
· 8 to 12 years old: $25 each way per child for nonstop or direct flights or $50 each way per child for connecting flights
· Between 13 (but not yet) 18 years: Can travel alone but if they use the service, their travel may not begin between 9:00 pm and 5:00 am. Fees are the same for the 8 to 12-year-old unaccompanied passenger.
Parents or guardians must complete the Guardian Contact form here and bring it to the airport in advance of the usual check-in and cut-off times.
Flying while pregnant
Currently, there are no restrictions regarding when expectant mothers are able to fly.
Group bookings
Alaska Airlines offers two options for group travel: one for groups traveling separately, and one for groups traveling on the same flights. If a group of at least 20 is traveling separately, meaning they are traveling from a variety of departure cities to the same destination, Alaska offers a discount off the lowest available fares at the time of booking. The airline provides a discount code that your group can use to purchase their own tickets at alaskaair.com.
For groups of 10 or more traveling on the same flights and dates, the airline offers a variety of benefits including:
- A set base fare guaranteed through a special fare agreement
- Unlimited, free name changes up to three days prior to departure
- Name changes for a fee within three days prior to departure
- No ticketing fees
- Advance seat assignments
- No minimum stay requirement
You can contact the Alaska Airlines group desk from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm (PT) Monday to Friday at 1-800-445-4435.
Disabled access & medical equipment
Alaska Airlines provides wheelchair assistance to all guests requiring such assistance free of charge. They also transport all types of personal wheelchairs including, folding, collapsible, non-folding manual wheelchairs, electric/battery-powered wheelchairs, and electric-powered carts or scooters. Most services for the disabled passenger can be requested online, but if you need or prefer to talk to the airline directly, you can do over the dedicated hotline at 1-800-503-0101 (dial 711 for relay services).
The maximum dimensions for a wheelchair on Alaska Airlines are 33 inches high by 34 inches wide. This applies to the following aircraft:
- Boeing 737 series
- Bombardier Q400
- Bombardier CRJ 700
- Embraer E175
The maximum weight for a wheelchair on Alaska Airlines is:
- Boeing 737 – 500 pounds
- Bombardier Q400 – 500 pounds
- Bombardier CRJ – 300 pounds
- Embraer E175 – 400 pounds
Alaska Airlines offers airport wheelchairs, wheelchair to the ramp, and wheelchair to steps services. Passengers can receive assistance in-flight. Semi-ambulatory passengers can get assistance getting to/from their seats during boarding and disembarkation and to/from the lavatory, loading and retrieving carry-on items, and meal preparation (opening packages and identifying items). The flight crew cannot assist with any medical services, assistance inside the lavatory, or in actual feeding.
Alaska Airlines allows passengers to bring Portable Oxygen Concentrators on-board. A list of acceptable Portable Oxygen Concentrator systems is available here. You do not need to give prior notice when bringing concentrators on board.
Check out Cheapflights.com’s guide to traveling with disabilities and guide to traveling with medication to help prep for your trip.
Pets and service animals
You will need to contact the airline if you plan to take your pet or service animal onto a flight, as space in the cabin or cargo compartment is subject to availability. You will also need to contact airline partners directly to reserve space on their flights as well if your plans include travel on another airline. Alaska Airlines does not transfer pets traveling in the baggage compartment to other carriers. Pets must be claimed and rechecked to the connecting carrier.
Pet fees:
- Pet in cabin: $100 USD each way
- Pet in baggage hold: $100 USD each way
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You may travel with a maximum of 2 pet carriers in the main cabin, but only when you also book the adjacent seat. The following carrier sizes are accepted for travel in the cabin:
Service and emotional support animals are also allowed for free on Alaska Airlines if you qualify as an individual with a disability and certain documentation requirements are met. Giving 48 hour advance notice is recommended here. To board with an emotional support animal, you must present current documentation to one of the customer service agents. It must not be more than one year old and it must be on letterhead from a mental health professional or medical doctor who is treating your mental health-related disability. The letter must state the following:
- That you have a mental or emotional disability recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders – Fourth Edition (DSM IV)
- That you need the emotional support or psychiatric service animal as an accommodation for air travel and/or for activity at your destination
- The letter must come from a licensed mental health professional, you must be under his/her professional care.
- The letter MUST contain the date, the mental health professional’s or medical doctor’s license, and the state or other jurisdiction in which it was issued.
Boarding with a service animal also requires 48 hours’ notice. For further information related to traveling with pets and service animals, check out Cheapflights.com’s guide to pet travel.
What are Alaska Airlines’ baggage allowance limits and fees?
Alaska Airlines carry-on size
Alaska Airlines checked luggage size
Extra and overweight baggage charges
Musical and sport equipment
Alaska Airlines carry-on luggage size
The maximum dimensions for your carry-on bag with Alaska Airlines are:
- Length – 24″ (61cm) including wheels and handles
- Width – 17″ (43cm)
- Height – 10″ (25cm)
For additional carry-on items beyond the one-bag limit, each piece will incur a fee. Refer to the checked baggage page for more information.
Alaska Airlines checked luggage size
Fees for checked baggage can be paid during online check-in, at a check-in kiosk, or at any of the airport ticket counters.
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Items that are not allowed in luggage and other exceptions and waivers can be found here.
Extra and overweight baggage charges
Any baggage (including baggage checked free of charge) which exceeds the size or weight allowance, is subject to the additional fees outlined below:
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Musical and sport equipment
The airline accepts musical and sports equipment items as checked baggage provided each piece is properly packed in a soft- or hard-sided case designed specifically for the equipment. If you prefer to carry your fragile musical equipment in the cabin, a cabin seat baggage fee is charged at 100% of the applicable adult base fare, plus 6.25% cargo tax. Please call Alaska Airlines reservations to book this service.
What additional fees does Alaska Airlines charge?
Booking fees
Flight cancellation policy
Travel insurance
Booking fees
Call center ticketing fees are charged at $15 regardless of the ticket class with the exception of Mileage Plan MVP Gold or 75K members, for which the service is free. Online booking is free.
Flight cancellation policy
Note that the following cancellation fees are subject to change and extra fare fees.
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For a full overview of extra fees and charges, consult the Optional services and fees page here.
Travel insurance
Alaska Airlines offers trip protection through their external insurance provider, Allianz Global Assistance. The coverage includes cancellation and interrupted trip protection. You can purchase trip protection here and find more information here.
What amenities does Alaska Airlines offer?
In-flight entertainment
Food
Seating
Lounges
In-flight entertainment
Alaska Airlines offers two options for in-flight entertainment. The first is a streaming entertainment system called Alaska Beyond, which allows you to watch free movies & TV shows on your own device. For longer flights, entertainment tablets are available for rent. These come with movies, TV shows and more installed. You can install the app on your device here before you commence your journey.
Food
Food is available for purchase in flight. The airline serves the local fare of the Pacific Northwest and Hawaii, with separate menus for First Class and Economy. You can also download the app to preorder food up to 14 days before your flight. For a glimpse at the menu, click here.
Seating
Every seat on most flights has a power outlet. The seats are leather and have 31-32″ of legroom.
Frequent Flyers
Alaska Airlines uses the Mileage Plan to reward those passengers who fly frequently with the airline. Members can travel with any of the 15 global airline partners to over 900 destinations around the globe. Click here to sign up for the program and here to learn more about membership benefits.
Lounges
Alaska Airlines operates five Alaska Lounges on the US West Coast. First class passengers, Admirals Club members flying on American or Alaska and Icelandair Saga Gold and Silver members flying on Alaska all have access to these lounges. Up to 2 guests (or spouse and children) can accompany a registered passenger into the lounge. Other passengers can access Alaska Lounge locations by purchasing day passes through LoungeBuddy for $45. In locations where an Alaska Lounge is not available, Alaska Lounge members can access eligible Admirals Club locations when departing on Alaska or American Airlines.
Issues with Luggage
Delayed, missing or damaged luggage
Compensation for baggage
Delayed, missing or damaged luggage
If you notice any irregularity concerning your baggage upon arrival, you are asked to report this to the airport baggage service office at your arrival airport. All reports should be made in-person and within 24 hours of arrival time. You will need to retain copies of your ticket, baggage claim check, and any receipts you may have accumulated for expenses incurred relating to your claim.
If you did not file a report at the airport, you will need to call the airport baggage service office at your arrival airport. If after five days your bag has not been found, you will need to contact the Central Baggage Service office at 1-877-815-8253.
Compensation for baggage
Compensation for baggage is limited and reimbursement for expenses will be based upon an acceptable proof of claim you make with the airline. Check the damaged, delay and lost baggage webpage for more details. The airline also offers a 20-minute guarantee: If your bags are not at baggage claim within 20 minutes of your plane’s arrival at the gate, they will provide a $25 discount code for use on a future Alaska Airlines flight, or 2,500 Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan bonus miles.
Fun Facts
Despite its name, most of the airline’s revenue and traffic comes from locations outside of Alaska.
