✓ Policy web-verified 2026-06-20
Here is the good news that other US carriers won’t give you: even Alaska’s cheapest Saver fare includes a full carry-on AND a personal item. Alaska never went the United/American route of stripping the overhead bag off its basic ticket. Every fare gets one carry-on up to 22 x 14 x 9 in (no published weight limit) plus one under-seat personal item up to 17 x 10 x 9 in. So on a domestic deal fare, you can travel hand-luggage-only and pay nothing.
The catch is the checked bag. On domestic North America and short-haul routes the cheapest fare has no checked bag — you pay $45 for the first and $55 for the second (flat fees since April 2026, with no cheaper online prepay). But this is where Alaska is genuinely different: thanks to the Hawaiian Airlines merger, Alaska now sells long-haul international flights to Asia and Oceania where the first checked bag is included even in Main cabin, and most other international Main fares include the first bag too. So whether a bag is free depends entirely on where you’re flying.
Quick facts
| Free personal item | 17 x 10 x 9 in, under seat |
| Free carry-on | 22 x 14 x 9 in, all fares incl. Saver |
| Carry-on weight limit | None published (must self-lift) |
| 1st checked bag (domestic) | $45 |
| 2nd checked bag (domestic) | $55 |
| Checked bag limits | 50 lb / 62 linear in |
| Long-haul intl (Asia/Oceania) | 1 checked bag included in Main |
| Free bags | First/Business class + co-brand cardholders |
Cabin bag & personal item
| Item | Allowance |
|---|---|
| Personal item | 17 x 10 x 9 in (43 x 25 x 23 cm), under the seat. Free on every fare including Saver. |
| Carry-on bag | 22 x 14 x 9 in (56 x 36 x 23 cm) / 45 linear in. No published weight limit but you must lift it unassisted. Free on every fare including Saver. |
Checked baggage & fees
| Size / weight limit | 50 lb (23 kg) and 62 linear in (158 cm) |
| 1st checked bag (North America) | $45 |
| 2nd checked bag (North America) | $55 |
| 3rd and each additional | $200 |
| Overweight 51-70 lb | $100 |
| Overweight 71-100 lb | $200 |
| Oversize 63-115 in | $200 |
| International Main cabin | 1st bag usually free (S. America: 1st free, 2nd ~$100); varies by route |
Baggage by region & route
Checked-bag inclusion on the cheapest fare can depend on where you fly, not just the fare name. Here is what the lowest fare includes by route:
| Route / region | Cheapest fare includes |
|---|---|
| Domestic US / Canada / short-haul | No checked bag (carry-on + personal item only) |
| Mexico / Central America | Usually no checked bag in Main (varies by route) |
| South America | 1st checked bag included (2nd ~$100) |
| Europe (Main) | 1st checked bag typically included |
| Asia / Oceania long-haul (via Hawaiian network) | 1st checked bag included in Main |
What each fare includes
| Fare | Personal | Cabin | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saver | Included | Included | Not included ($45 first) |
| Main | Included | Included | Not included domestic / 1st free on most long-haul intl |
| First Class | Included | Included | 2 free (up to 70 lb each) |
What you actually get on a cheap fare
What you actually get on a cheap Alaska deal fare: a real carry-on and a personal item, free, on every fare class — no last-group gotcha where you discover your overhead bag costs $40 at the gate. That alone puts Alaska ahead of the US Basic-Economy crowd. On a domestic Saver, that’s the whole deal: budget $45 each way ($90 round trip) if you need to check a bag, and there’s no online discount any more, so prepay or pay at the airport, the price is the same.
On a long-haul international deal — especially the new Asia and Oceania routes that came with the Hawaiian merger — the cheapest Main fare typically already includes one checked bag, so don’t double-pay. If you fly often, an Alaska/Atmos co-branded card or elite status flips the first bag to free on domestic too, which pays for itself in roughly two round trips.
Oversize, sports & special items
Sports and outdoor gear is an Alaska strength: bikes, skis/snowboards and golf clubs travel as a standard checked bag (subject to normal size/weight, no special surcharge if within 50 lb / 62 in), and the airline is unusually generous with hunting/fishing gear on its Alaska-state routes. Oversize bags 63-115 linear inches incur a flat $200 fee; bags over 115 in or over 100 lb are not accepted. Musical instruments can be carried on if they fit the cabin limits or bought a seat for larger instruments.
2025/2026 changes: the Alaska-Hawaiian merger is reshaping the network — Alaska now operates Hawaiian’s widebody long-haul routes to Asia and the South Pacific, which carry international checked-bag inclusions that pure-domestic Alaska fares never had. Checked-bag fees moved to a flat $45/$55 structure for tickets issued on or after April 10, 2026, eliminating the old cheaper online prepay rate.
Frequently asked questions
Does Alaska's cheapest Saver fare include a carry-on bag?
Yes. Unlike United or American Basic Economy, every Alaska fare including Saver includes a full carry-on (22 x 14 x 9 in) plus a personal item, free. The only thing Saver strips on a domestic ticket is the checked bag.
How much is a checked bag on Alaska Airlines?
On North American routes it’s $45 for the first bag and $55 for the second, as flat fees since April 10, 2026. The third and each additional bag is $200. There is no longer a cheaper online prepay rate.
Is a checked bag free on Alaska international flights?
It depends on the region. Most international Main cabin fares include the first checked bag free, including the long-haul Asia and Oceania routes now flown via the Hawaiian network. Domestic and some Mexico/Central America fares do not include a checked bag.
What is Alaska's checked bag weight limit?
50 lb (23 kg) and 62 linear inches (158 cm). Bags 51-70 lb cost an extra $100, 71-100 lb cost an extra $200, and bags over 100 lb are not accepted.
What size is the Alaska personal item?
Up to 17 x 10 x 9 in (about 43 x 25 x 23 cm), and it must fit under the seat in front of you. It’s free on every fare.
How do I get free checked bags on Alaska?
First and Business class get two free checked bags (up to 70 lb each). Holders of an Alaska/Atmos co-branded credit card get the first bag free for themselves and up to six companions, and elite Mileage Plan members get free bags too.
Does Saver fare earn miles and seat selection?
Saver earns reduced Mileage Plan miles (about 50% of Main), assigns seats only at check-in, boards in the last group, and is essentially non-changeable and non-refundable. The baggage allowance, however, is the same carry-on + personal item as Main.
Are bikes, skis and golf clubs treated as a standard bag?
Yes. Alaska accepts most sports gear as a regular checked bag with no special surcharge if it’s within the 50 lb / 62 in limits, which makes it one of the better US carriers for outdoor equipment.
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