Ruth Haines
Alaska Airlines has specific processes and timelines for handling baggage to ensure it is loaded onto the correct flight and reaches its destination on time. The airline recommends that passengers check its airport guides for recommended arrival times at their departure airport. In general, the minimum check-in time for Alaska Airlines flights is 40 minutes before the scheduled departure time for US domestic flights and 60 minutes for international flights. However, there are some exceptions, such as Atlanta, Las Vegas, and Philadelphia, where the minimum check-in time is 45 minutes, and Guadalajara, Mexico, where it is 90 minutes. Passengers can also check-in online or via the mobile app, anytime from 1 to 24 hours before their flight.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Check-in deadline | 40 minutes to 4 hours before the scheduled departure time |
| Check-in deadline for Atlanta, Las Vegas, and Philadelphia | 45 minutes |
| Check-in deadline for international flights to/from the US | 60 minutes |
| Check-in deadline for Guadalajara, Mexico | 90 minutes |
| Boarding deadline for US domestic flights | 30 minutes before scheduled departure time |
| Boarding deadline for international flights to/from the US | 30 minutes before scheduled departure time |
| Bag drop cut-off time | 50 minutes before departure |
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What You'll Learn
Check-in and luggage drop-off cut-off times
Alaska Airlines has specific check-in and luggage drop-off cut-off times that passengers must adhere to. For US domestic flights, the minimum check-in time is 40 minutes before the scheduled departure time. However, at Atlanta, Las Vegas, and Philadelphia airports, the minimum check-in time is 45 minutes. For international flights to/from the US, the minimum check-in time is 60 minutes before departure, and for flights departing from Guadalajara, Mexico, the check-in cut-off time is 90 minutes.
Passengers can also check-in online or via the Alaska Airlines mobile app, where check-in is available from 1 to 24 hours before the flight. Additionally, passengers can use the self-service kiosks at the airport to check-in and receive a printed boarding pass. The self-service kiosk check-in is available from 40 minutes to 4 hours before departure, adhering to the minimum check-in times mentioned above.
Regarding luggage drop-off, Alaska Airlines recommends that passengers be in the bag drop line well before the cut-off time to ensure their bags are turned over in time. The airline also suggests referring to their airport guides for recommended arrival times at the departure airport. It is important to note that the check-in and bag drop cut-off times do not guarantee that passengers will make it to their departure gate on time, as busy security lines and heavy passenger traffic may cause delays.
On October 29, 2024, Alaska Airlines updated its check-in and bag drop cut-off time from 40 to 50 minutes before departure. This change aimed to improve the on-time performance of flights and enhance the overall travel experience for passengers.
Additionally, it is worth noting that some international carriers at major airports may allow passengers to check in their bags the night before a flight, but this is typically only available at their main hubs.
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Recommended arrival times
The recommended arrival time for checking in and dropping off luggage depends on the airport of departure. For U.S. domestic flights, the minimum check-in time is 40 minutes before the scheduled departure time. However, at Atlanta, Las Vegas, and Philadelphia, the minimum check-in time is 45 minutes. For international flights to/from the U.S., the minimum check-in time is 60 minutes before the scheduled departure time. For flights departing from Guadalajara, Mexico, the minimum check-in time is 90 minutes.
It is important to note that these check-in times do not include the time required for security checks and reaching the departure gate. Passengers are advised to allow extra time for busy security lines and heavy passenger traffic.
Additionally, there are specific guidelines for checking in pets and baggage. Pets can be checked up to 2 hours before departure, and baggage can be dropped off at the airport up to 4 hours before departure, although this may vary depending on the airport. For example, Vancouver (YVR) can only accept bags 3 hours before departure due to customs pre-clearance restrictions, and Calgary (YYC) can only accept bags 2 hours before departure.
To ensure a smooth experience, it is recommended that passengers review the airport guides provided by Alaska Airlines for specific recommendations and cut-off times for their departure airport.
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Checking in with pets
Alaska Airlines allows pets to travel in the cabin or in the baggage compartment. The airline provides Fur-st Class Care™ for pets and treats them as family. Here are some important points to note when checking in with pets:
- Pets that fit in an under-seat carrier can travel in the cabin.
- Dogs and cats are the only pets allowed to travel in the cabin after June 5, 2025. Rabbits and household birds are permitted until April 4, 2026, if the ticket was purchased before June 5, 2025.
- You must be 18 years or older to travel with a pet in the cabin.
- The pet must stay in its carrier, with the door secured at all times in the boarding area, Alaska Lounge, and onboard the aircraft.
- Up to two pets of the same species and similar size can travel in the same carrier, provided they fit comfortably and are not in distress.
- Pets that do not fit in the carrier or under the seat must be placed in a hard-sided kennel and follow Alaska Airlines' pet travel policy.
- Animals with offensive odours or those creating noise disturbances must travel in the climate-controlled baggage compartment.
- Brachycephalic or "short-nosed" breeds, such as bulldogs and pugs, are prohibited from flying in the cargo compartment due to a higher risk of respiratory distress.
- Trained service animals travel for free.
- Pet travel fees for the cabin are $100 per pet.
- Pets can be checked up to 2 hours before departure.
- A health certificate is required for pets travelling in the baggage compartment and must be dated within 10 days of outbound travel and 30 days of return travel.
- Pet travel fees for the baggage compartment are $150 per pet.
- Space for pets in the baggage compartment is subject to availability, breed restrictions, travel date embargoes, and fleet restrictions.
- Alaska Airlines does not transfer pets travelling in the baggage compartment to other carriers.
It is important to review Alaska Airlines' pet policies, including health certificate and carrier requirements, breed restrictions, and any limitations for your destination. You can contact Alaska Airlines' reservations team to reserve space for your pet and review any specific requirements.
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Online check-in
Alaska Airlines offers online check-in through its website or mobile app. Passengers can check in online anytime from 1 to 24 hours before their flight. They can also change their seat assignment, upgrade to First Class, and print a receipt for their flight. Passengers can pay their checked baggage charges online with a credit or debit card and then bring their baggage to the baggage-check location.
Passengers checking in online should note that gate assignments and departure times can change. Hence, they must check the flight information monitors at the airport. Additionally, to ensure that their bags are turned over in time, passengers should be in the bag drop line well before the cut-off time. Recommended arrival times at the departure airport can be found on Alaska Airlines' airport guides.
For passengers travelling from Guadalajara, the baggage cut-off time is 90 minutes. For those departing from King Salmon and Dillingham, checked baggage must be presented and processed at least 60 minutes before departure. It is important to note that these cut-off times do not guarantee that passengers will make it to their departure gate on time for boarding, as busy security lines and heavy passenger traffic may cause delays.
Passengers must be checked in with a valid boarding pass and available for boarding at the gate no later than 30 minutes before their flight. Similarly, pets can be checked up to 2 hours before departure, but the cut-off times may not ensure that passengers have enough time to reach their departure gate.
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International check-in
When checking in for an international flight with Alaska Airlines, passengers are required to provide specific information as part of the Advance Passenger Information System (APIS). This information is collected for aviation safety and security purposes, and travellers who do not provide this information will be prevented from travelling. The required information includes personal details such as full name, date of birth, and gender. Additionally, passengers need to provide their destination address in the US, unless they are US nationals, Legal Permanent Residents, or Alien Residents entering the US.
For passengers with connecting flights, it is important to provide the relevant information. If the layover is 8 hours or more, the address information for the airport of connection should be provided. If transferring to a cruise ship on the day of arrival in the US, the name of the cruise ship, cruise line, and port of embarkation are required. For those renting a car without an address for the first night, detailed information about their expected stay is needed. If the outbound flight departs within 8 hours of arrival, the flight number and destination must be provided.
Passengers can check in for their international Alaska Airlines flight online, via their mobile app, or at the airport. Online check-in is available from 24 hours to 60 minutes before departure, and passengers will receive a mobile or printable boarding pass. At the airport, check-in is available from 40 minutes to 4 hours before departure, with a minimum check-in time of 60 minutes for international flights. Certain airports, such as Vancouver (YVR) and Calgary (YYC), have restrictions on accepting bags, with YVR accepting bags 3 hours before departure and YYC accepting bags 2 hours prior.
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Frequently asked questions
The earliest you can drop off your luggage is four hours before your flight's scheduled departure time.
The latest time you can drop off your luggage is 40 minutes before departure for US domestic flights, and 50 minutes before departure for international flights.
Yes, at Atlanta, Las Vegas, and Philadelphia airports, the minimum check-in time is 45 minutes. For Guadalajara, Mexico, the minimum check-in time is 90 minutes.
Pets can be checked up to two hours before departure.
