Alaska Airlines includes one carry-on bag and one personal item for free on every fare. Your carry-on should measure 22 x 14 x 9 inches, including wheels and handles and fit in the overhead bin. Here’s what to know about their carry-on size and weight policies.
In this article
What is Alaska Airlines’ carry-on size policy?
Personal item policy
What extra items can you bring onboard?
Alaska Airlines’ carry-on bag size FAQs.
Top three Alaska Airlines carry-on size tips.
What is Alaska Airlines’ carry-on size policy?
Alaska Airlines’ carry-on size policy allows passengers to bring one personal item and one carry-on bag at no extra charge. The policy requires that the carry-on bag fits into the overhead bin.
Alaska Airlines’ official carry-on guidance does not specify weight restrictions for carry-on baggage or personal items. Please note, however, that you must be able to lift your carry-on bag comfortably into the overhead bin.
Last updated and fact-checked: April 23, 2026.
Personal item policy
Your personal item must fit under the seat in front of you. Alaska Airlines doesn’t specify exact dimensions, so the under-seat space is your guide.
Common personal items include purses, briefcases, laptop bags and small backpacks. If your bag is too large to slide under the seat, it counts as a carry-on instead. When in doubt, test your bag’s fit before heading to the airport.
What extra items can you bring onboard?
You can bring almost everything from art/advertising portfolios and delicate scientific equipment to fishing poles and paintings as your one carry-on bag as long as it meets the prescribed size requirements and can be stowed in the overhead cabin.
You can also carry mobility/medical assistive devices like wheelchairs, crutches, approved portable oxygen concentrators, and breast pumps for free, provided that they comply with the set carry-on size requirements.
In the event that you’ll travel with an infant on your lap, you are also allowed to carry a diaper bag, child car seat, and a stroller free of charge.
Alaska Airlines’ carry-on bag size FAQs.
Alaska Airlines does not charge for carry-on bags. Every fare includes one carry-on bag and one personal item at no extra cost.
Although there are fewer rules for things like personal item size, Alaska Airlines does strictly enforce its stated carry-on size policies. If your item exceeds the prescribed size, you risk being fined and your luggage checked.
Whether your backpack will be categorized as a personal item will depend on its size. Alaska Airlines does not enforce specific dimensions for a personal item, but its only requirement is that it should fit the space underneath the seat.
If your backpack is small and can fit beneath your seat, you can bring it alongside your carry-on bag. In this case, it will be allowed onboard as a personal item.
Top three Alaska Airlines carry-on size tips.
Packing smart makes all the difference – especially when space is tight. These quick tips will help you make the most of your carry-on.
1. Use a drawstring bag for in-flight essentials for easy access.
Within your personal item, store a drawstring bag with in-flight essentials for handy access. These can include things like earbuds, snacks, medication, and glasses. You can easily hook this on the seat in front of you for easy access while also avoiding the common pitfall of leaving behind valuable items in the seat-back pocket.
2. Use packing cubes and roll your clothes for a colder climate.
For those opting to travel only with a carry-on, packing for a colder climate can be a real challenge. Luckily, nowadays there are products like packing cubes designed to help you maximize space. Plus, the internet and social media are full of clever packing hacks like rolling your clothes.
And if you’re really in a pinch, you can always wear extra layers on the plane to save space. Need some extra help packing? Check out these expert tips for maximizing space in your carry-on.
3. Double-check for the lowest fare when using award travel miles.
If you’re using miles to pay for your flight, always double check that you’re getting the lowest possible flight cost to your destination in the weeks leading up to your departure.
