Alaska Airlines Personal Item Size 2026: The Ultimate Guide

Are you planning to fly with Alaska Airlines? Then you need to be aware of their baggage rules. When you book Alaska Airlines flight, understanding what bags you can bring will save you time, money, and stress at the airport.

The good news is that Alaska Airlines is quite generous with its baggage allowance. They allow you one personal item plus one carry-on bag completely free. Yes, both bags are free! Your personal item is a smaller bag that must fit under the seat in front of you. This could be your purse, laptop bag, or small backpack.

Many travelers wonder about the personal item size Alaska Airlines allows. While the airline is flexible, there are some basic rules you need to follow. If your bag is too big, you might have to check it at the gate, which can delay your travel.

Alaska Airlines Personal Item Size Requirements

Let's talk about the Alaska Airlines personal item size limit in simple words. Your personal item is the bag that goes under the seat in front of you during the flight. Alaska Airlines does not give exact measurements for personal items on its official website, but there is a standard size everyone follows.

Think of it this way: your personal item should be noticeably smaller than your carry-on bag. Alaska Airlines clearly states that carry-on bags can be up to 22 x 14 x 9 inches (including wheels and handles). So your personal item should be much smaller than this to fit comfortably under the seat.

Generally, the Alaska Airlines personal item size dimensions work out to around 17 x 10 x 9 inches or smaller. For our international friends who use centimeters, the Alaska Airlines personal item size in cm is approximately 43 x 25 x 23 centimeters. These are safe measurements that will definitely fit under most airplane seats.

Here's what you need to remember about Alaska Airlines personal item size inches: measure the length, width, and height of your bag when it's packed. Don't forget to include any bulging or expanded parts. A soft bag that's slightly bigger might still work because it can compress and squeeze under the seat.

The size of personal items on Alaska Airlines matters because the space under the seat is limited. If your bag is too large, it will block the legroom for you and might stick out into the aisle, which is not allowed for safety reasons.

What Qualifies as a Personal Item?

Now you might be wondering, what bags can I actually bring as my personal item? Alaska Airlines is quite flexible and accepts many common items. Let's look at what qualifies.

Bags that work as personal items:

• Purses and handbags (ladies' purse or men's sling bag)

• Laptop bags and computer cases

• Small backpacks (school bags, daypack, laptop backpacks)

• Briefcases

• Camera bags

• Diaper bags for parents traveling with babies

The most important rule for Alaska Airlines' personal item size restrictions is simple: the bag must fit completely under the seat in front of you. It should not stick out into the aisle or block anyone's legroom.

Here's good news! Medical items and assistive devices like crutches, wheelchairs, or CPAP machines do not count as your personal item. You can bring these in addition to your regular baggage. Also, items like your jacket, a book, or an umbrella usually don't count toward your baggage limit.

What about duty-free shopping? If you buy items at the airport after security (like perfume or chocolates), those shopping bags usually don't count as your personal item either. But check with the gate agent if you have large duty-free purchases.

One important thing about Alaska Airlines' baggage personal item size is that your bag should not only fit under the seat, but should fit easily. If you have to push and shove to make it fit, it's probably too big. Flight attendants may ask you to check oversized bags at the gate, and nobody wants that hassle!

Personal Item vs Carry-On Luggage

Many people get confused between personal items and carry-on bags. Let's clear this up in simple terms so you understand exactly what you're allowed to bring.

Here's the big difference:

Personal Item: This is your smaller bag that goes UNDER the seat in front of you. Think of items like a purse, a laptop bag, or a small backpack. There's no official size limit listed, but it should fit comfortably under the seat (around 17 x 10 x 9 inches or smaller).

Carry-On Bag: This is your bigger bag that goes in the overhead bin above your seat. Alaska Airlines allows carry-on bags up to 22 x 14 x 9 inches, including wheels and handles. This could be a rolling suitcase or a large duffel bag.

The best part? You get BOTH bags for free on Alaska Airlines! That's right, one personal item AND one carry-on bag come with your ticket at no extra cost. This applies whether you book Alaska low cost flights or premium tickets.

This rule applies to both domestic flights and Alaska Airlines' personal item size on international flights. Whether you're flying from Delhi to Mumbai or from Seattle to Cancun, you get the same baggage allowance. Wondering if Alaska Airlines is good for baggage policies? Yes! They're passenger-friendly and don't charge for your first carry-on and personal item as some budget airlines do.

Alaska Airlines Personal Item Size Backpack

Backpacks are super popular as personal items because they're comfortable and practical. But not every backpack works; your backpack should be small to medium-sized, not a large hiking or oversized school backpack.

The Alaska Airlines personal item size backpack should be around 17 x 10 x 9 inches when packed. Laptop backpacks and small daypacks work perfectly. Measure your backpack when it's full to make sure it fits!

Best backpack types:

• Laptop backpacks (15-17 inches)

• Small daypacks and travel backpacks

• Compact student backpacks

• Camera backpacks

Keep your laptop in one section, chargers in another, and snacks in side pockets. This makes everything easy to reach during your flight.

Want help finding the best travel bags for your Alaska Airlines flight? Contact Affluence Travels, and we can guide you on the perfect travel gear and book your flight at great prices!

Alaska Airlines Personal Item Size for International Flights

Good news for international travelers! The Alaska Airlines personal item size international rules are the same as domestic flights. You don't need to remember different measurements for different destinations.

Whether you're flying to Mexico, Canada, Costa Rica, or anywhere else Alaska Airlines goes, you get one personal item plus one carry-on for free. Personal item fits under the seat (around 17 x 10 x 9 inches), carry-on goes overhead (22 x 14 x 9 inches maximum).

For international friends, the Alaska Airlines personal item size in cm is approximately 43 x 25 x 23 centimeters.

Alaska Airlines' personal item size in economy class follows the same rules as first class; everyone gets the same generous allowance!

Important notes:

• Codeshare flights with partner airlines may have different rules; always check

• Duty-free shopping bags (bought after security) usually don't count as your personal item

• Keep passport, visa documents, and customs forms in your personal item for easy access

Even when you book alaska low cost flights internationally, the baggage allowance stays the same. Alaska Airlines doesn't charge extra for your first bags!

Planning an international trip? Affluence Travels specializes in Alaska low-cost flights to destinations worldwide. Contact us to book your international journey with the best deals!

Start your Alaska Airlines journey with Affluence Travels 

Book your flight at the best prices, without any hassle. Before you travel, check your bags at home. A personal item should be around 17 x 10 x 9 inches and fit under the seat, while a carry-on bag can be up to 22 x 14 x 9 inches and goes in the overhead bin.

For a smooth trip, download the Alaska Airlines app, check in online 24 hours before departure, arrive two hours early for domestic flights or three hours early for international flights, and keep essentials in your personal item for easy access.

Alaska Airlines is a great choice, offering generous baggage policies, reliable service, and no hidden fees for basic baggage. Affluence Travels helps you find Alaska low-cost flights that suit your budget, whether you are traveling for work, vacation, or family visits. Get the lowest fares, help with baggage rules, easy flight bookings, and travel protection, all in one place. Book your Alaska Airlines flight with Affluence Travels and travel with confidence.