Last Updated on July 18, 2026 by Daniel Globe
Download the Alaska Airlines app to make travel smoother from start to finish. You can check in 24 hours before departure, pull up your mobile boarding pass, track real-time flight updates, and preorder meals up to two weeks ahead. Pack one carry-on and one personal item, keep your ID and liquids bag handy, and use TSA Pre✓ or SEA Spot Saver to move faster. If you keep going, you’ll uncover even more ways to fly with ease.
Quick Answer
The Alaska Airlines app lets you check in 24 hours before departure, store a mobile boarding pass, track flight status in real time, preorder meals, and pay for bags. It’s the fastest way to skip counter lines and manage your trip from your phone.
Key Takeaways
- Check in and grab your mobile boarding pass up to 24 hours before departure.
- Preorder meals from 2 weeks to 20 hours before your flight.
- Checked bag fees are $45 for the first bag and $55 for the second on North American flights (effective April 10, 2026).
- TSA Pre✓, Global Entry, or SEA Spot Saver can speed up security screening.
- Alaska’s loyalty program is now called Atmos Rewards (formerly Mileage Plan).
Download the Alaska Airlines App
If you’re flying Alaska Airlines, downloading the app is one of the easiest ways to make your trip smoother from start to finish. You’ll access app features that put control in your hands, from seamless check-in to digital boarding passes you can keep ready on your phone. That means you can move past crowded counters and travel with more freedom.
The user experience feels straightforward: you can see real-time flight updates, gate changes, and departure details without hunting for information. Need to plan ahead? You can preorder a meal two weeks to 20 hours before departure, choose your seat, and pay for checked bags with ease.
These tools help you stay organized, calm, and informed while you move through the airport on your own terms. The app also shows Wi-Fi availability and pricing on your flight, so you know before you board whether you’ll want to buy a pass to stay connected.
Check In and Track Your Flight
Twenty-four hours before departure, you can check in through the Alaska Airlines app, grab your mobile boarding pass, and even choose seats or preorder a meal in the same window. This simple move lets you skip long airport lines and travel with more freedom, less friction, and no paper hassle.
Use these check-in tips: open the app as soon as check-in starts, confirm your details, and keep your boarding pass ready on your phone. From there, track your flight in real time for delay alerts, gate changes, and updated boarding times.
Note: Arrive at bag drop and security at least 50 minutes before a domestic departure, and 60 minutes before an international one, to give yourself a comfortable buffer.
Turn on flight reminders so you stay ahead of every shift without constantly updating. The app sends notifications when your status changes, helping you move with confidence and ease.
Before you head to TSA screening, make sure your valid ID and boarding pass are easy to access, so your journey stays smooth and on your terms.
Preorder Meals and Pack Smart
To make your trip smoother, preorder your meal through the Alaska Airlines app or website anytime from 2 weeks to 20 hours before departure, so you can skip in-flight food lines and secure the option you want. You’ll browse meal selection early, compare choices, and board knowing your seatmate’s scramble won’t define your rhythm.
At a Glance
| Carry-on size | 22 x 14 x 9 inches, free on every fare |
| First checked bag | $45 (North America, effective April 10, 2026) |
| Second checked bag | $55 |
| Liquids limit | 3.4 oz or less per item, in a quart-sized bag |
For packing efficiency, keep your carry-on within 22 x 14 x 9 inches and place liquids of 3.4 ounces or less in an accessible bag. Slip an identification tag inside your luggage, then move through the airport with a lighter load and a freer mind.
Get Through Security Faster
When you’re trying to get through security faster, a little prep goes a long way. Start with smart security tips: enroll in TSA Pre✓ or Global Entry for expedited screening through dedicated lanes, where you can keep shoes, belts, and jackets on.
If you’re flying from Seattle, use SEA Spot Saver to reserve a screening time and skip the scramble. Before you reach the checkpoint, have your boarding pass and valid ID in hand so you’re not digging through pockets.
Strip off outerwear, belts, and bulky jewelry early, and place larger electronics in bins without delay. Keep your liquids organized in a quart-sized bag, with each item at 3.4 ounces or less, so your carry-on moves through smoothly.
A few intentional moves can turn a stressful line into a quick, free-flowing step toward your flight.
Travel With Kids, Pets, and Help
When you fly with Alaska Airlines and bring kids along, you can gate-check strollers and car seats for free, and your young children will sit with your family at no extra cost.
If you’re arranging travel for an unaccompanied minor, you’ll find helpful forms and booking resources online to make the process smoother.
For pets, you’ll need to check breed restrictions and kennel rules before you head to the airport, while only service dogs can travel as service animals on board.
Traveling With Kids
- Pack snacks and kid-friendly activities.
- Download unaccompanied minor forms if needed.
- Arrive early for check-in procedures.
- Keep IDs and documents ready.
These small steps help you travel with confidence and make the whole trip feel more open, calm, and workable.
Pet Travel Rules
If you’re flying with a pet, Alaska Airlines lets small animals ride in the cabin as long as they stay in an approved kennel that fits under the seat. You can’t place pets in the baggage compartment, and they’re not permitted in First Class on Airbus flights.
Warning: Pet policies and breed restrictions can change by route, so confirm your kennel size, health certificate requirements, and any destination-specific rules directly with Alaska Airlines before you book.
Before you go, review the pet carrier requirements and make sure your kennel gives your companion room to stand and turn. You’ll also need to meet health certificate regulations, and some destinations enforce breed restrictions, so check early.
Choose cooler flight times when possible, since extreme temperatures can stress animals. If you’re traveling with kids, take advantage of complimentary gate checks for strollers and car seats.
Only service dogs qualify as service animals, so notify Alaska in advance.
Use Atmos Rewards to Earn More Miles
Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines combined their loyalty programs into Atmos Rewards in August 2025, so if you were a Mileage Plan member, your balance and status carried over automatically. With Atmos Rewards, you earn miles on every flight, even on lower fare tickets, so each trip works harder for you.
You can also boost your balance through everyday spending with shopping and dining partners, not just when you’re in the air. That extra earning power helps you build rewards faster for your next flight or upgrade.
Pro Tip: Elite Atmos Rewards status can unlock free checked bags and priority boarding, so if you fly Alaska regularly, tracking your progress toward the next tier is worth the extra few minutes in the app.
Earn On Every Flight
Atmos Rewards helps you earn miles on every flight, even when you book the lowest fare tickets, so you’re not leaving rewards behind just because you chose a budget-friendly option. That flexibility makes it easier to build mileage-earning habits that fit your life.
- Fly often and watch miles grow.
- Book smart, even on discount fares.
- Track earnings in your account.
- Redeem miles for future trips.
You can also collect miles through shopping, dining, and hotel stays, then manage everything in one place. With clear tracking and easy redemption, Atmos Rewards turns each trip into a step toward your next getaway.
Boost Miles With Partners
Beyond the runway, Atmos Rewards keeps working for you, letting you earn miles through Alaska Airlines partners in shopping, dining, hotel stays, and oneworld® Alliance airlines. You can turn everyday spending into extra rewards.
| Partner Type | How You Earn |
|---|---|
| shopping partnerships | buy through linked offers and earn miles |
| dining rewards | register your card and collect miles when you eat out |
| hotel stays | book with partner hotels and stack rewards |
Check for promotions, since bonus miles often appear on select purchases or activities. Log in to your Atmos Rewards account often to track earnings, uncover new partners, and keep your mileage growing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Alaska Airlines’ baggage fees for checked bags?
As of April 10, 2026, you’ll pay $45 for your first checked bag and $55 for your second on North American flights, with $200 for a third bag. Watch weight and size limits, since bags over 50 lbs or 62 linear inches trigger extra overweight or oversize charges.
How can I change or cancel my Alaska Airlines reservation?
You can change or cancel your reservation online or in the Alaska app. Main Cabin, Premium Class, and First Class tickets have no change fee — you just pay any fare difference. Saver fares can’t be changed after the 24-hour booking window, so check your fare type before you book.
Does Alaska Airlines offer first-class or premium cabin upgrades?
Yes. Alaska Airlines offers first-class seats and premium upgrades, so you can elevate your trip fast. You’ll get extra space, priority service, and easier comfort if you choose a premium upgrade.
How do I use my Atmos Rewards miles for award flights?
You book award flights by signing into your Atmos Rewards account, searching flights, and choosing miles redemption at checkout. You’ll compare options, pay any applicable taxes, and enjoy flexible travel that stretches your budget.
What in-flight amenities are available on Alaska Airlines?
Alaska offers in-flight entertainment, complimentary snacks, Wi-Fi on many flights (check the app for pricing on your specific flight), power outlets, and attentive service, so you can relax and stay connected in the air.
Conclusion
With the Alaska Airlines app, you can check in faster, track your flight with ease, and stay one step ahead of delays. By preordering meals, packing smart, and moving through security efficiently, you can travel with less stress and more confidence. Whether you’re flying with kids, pets, or extra help, Alaska makes the journey smoother. And when you earn with Atmos Rewards, you’re not just flying — you’re building toward your next adventure.
Sources
- Alaska Airlines Newsroom — checked baggage fee increase effective April 10, 2026
- Alaska Airlines Bags, Fees & Check-In Guide — current fee structure, check-in cutoff times, and Atmos Rewards program details