Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines (AS) is a Full-Service airline based in USA, with its main hub at Seattle-Tacoma, a member of oneworld. Browse seat maps, carry-on baggage rules, and fleet information.
Alaska Airlines is a Seattle-based carrier widely regarded as having one of the best loyalty programs of any US airline. After acquiring Virgin America in 2016 and joining the Oneworld alliance in 2021, Alaska significantly expanded its reach beyond its traditional Pacific Northwest and West Coast stronghold. The airline operates a primarily Boeing 737 fleet (plus Airbus A320-family aircraft inherited from Virgin America) and is known for consistently high on-time performance, friendly service, and a Mileage Plan program that offers exceptional partner award redemption options.
Airline Information
- IATA code: AS
- Country: USA
- Hub: Seattle-Tacoma
- Alliance: oneworld
- Tier: Full-Service
- Customer support: 1-800-252-7522
Cabin Classes
- Saver: Alaska's lowest fare — no advance seat selection (assigned at check-in or at the gate), no upgrades, last boarding group, and no same-day changes. Personal item included; carry-on bag is free.
- Main Cabin: Standard economy with advance seat selection, complimentary carry-on and personal item, and full Mileage Plan earning. Most seats have 31–32 inches of pitch.
- Premium Class: Extra-legroom seats in the first few rows of the main cabin (35–36 in of pitch on most aircraft), complimentary beer and wine on flights over 350 miles, and earlier boarding. Available as an upgrade for a modest fee.
- First Class: Domestic first class with wider seats, complimentary hot meals on flights over 1,200 miles, free checked bags, and priority security at select airports. Alaska's 737-9 First Class has fully lie-flat seats on ultra-long domestic routes.
Mileage Plan Loyalty Program
Elite tiers: MVP (20,000 Elite Qualifying Miles or 30 flights), MVP Gold (40,000 EQMs or 60 flights), and MVP Gold 75K (75,000 EQMs or 90 flights)
Alaska Mileage Plan miles never expire as long as your account has any qualifying activity in 24 months. The program is celebrated for partner award pricing — Mileage Plan lets you book on Cathay Pacific, British Airways, Finnair, Japan Airlines, and other Oneworld partners at rates often lower than those airlines' own programs. MVP Gold 75K elites receive complimentary upgrades to First Class on Alaska flights based on availability.
In-Flight Wi-Fi
Available on most mainline Alaska and Horizon Air flights
Cost: Approximately $8 per flight; $49/month unlimited subscription available
Alaska uses ViaSat satellite Wi-Fi on its mainline 737 fleet and some regional aircraft. Connection speeds are adequate for email and light browsing on most flights. Alaska's Inflight Entertainment app streams movies and TV to personal devices on Wi-Fi-equipped flights.
Pro Tips
- Alaska Mileage Plan miles never expire with any account activity in 24 months — even a small Amazon or Starbucks purchase through the shopping portal resets the clock.
- Book partner awards through Alaska Mileage Plan rather than through the partner airline's own program — Alaska often prices the same Cathay Pacific or JAL First Class seat at significantly fewer miles.
- Premium Class is one of the best domestic airline upgrade values — extra legroom, free drinks, and earlier boarding for typically $25–$50 above the main cabin fare on short flights.
- Check Alaska's Last Minute Deals page every Tuesday — discounted fares for travel the following weekend are often available and earn full Mileage Plan miles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What cabin classes does Alaska Airlines offer?
Alaska offers four options: Saver (restricted economy with no seat selection), Main Cabin (standard economy), Premium Class (extra legroom seats with complimentary drinks), and First Class (wider seats with hot meals on longer flights). Saver fares still include a carry-on bag, which is unusual among restrictive fare classes.
Why is Alaska Mileage Plan considered one of the best programs?
Alaska Mileage Plan allows you to earn and redeem miles on Oneworld partner airlines — including Cathay Pacific, British Airways, Japan Airlines, and Finnair — often at award rates that are significantly cheaper than booking through those airlines' own programs. Miles also never expire with any account activity in 24 months, and the program has no fuel surcharges on most partner awards.
Does Alaska Airlines charge for checked bags?
Yes, for most fares: the first checked bag is typically $35 and the second is $45 on domestic routes. Alaska MVP, MVP Gold, and MVP Gold 75K status members receive one or two free checked bags. Alaska co-branded credit card holders also receive the first checked bag free.
Where are Alaska Airlines' main hubs?
Alaska's largest hub is Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). Other major bases include Portland (PDX), San Francisco (SFO), Los Angeles (LAX), Anchorage (ANC), and Honolulu (HNL). After joining Oneworld in 2021, Alaska also expanded partnerships at many international gateway airports.
What is Alaska's Premium Class cabin?
Premium Class is Alaska's extra-legroom economy product — seats in the first several rows of the main cabin with 35–36 inches of pitch (vs. 31–32 in standard rows), complimentary beer, wine, and spirits on flights over 350 miles, earlier boarding, and dedicated overhead bin access. It is not a separate cabin — it sits in the same cabin as economy but at the front.