Alaska Airlines provides passengers with a comprehensive check-in system offering multiple convenient options. The airline's online check-in service opens 24 hours before scheduled departure and can be accessed through Alaska's official website or their feature-rich mobile app. During online check-in, travelers can review their itinerary, select or change seat assignments (depending on fare class), purchase additional baggage allowance if needed, and obtain their boarding passes in digital or printable format. Alaska's mobile boarding passes are compatible with most smartphone wallet applications and can be used throughout the travel experience.
At the airport, Alaska Airlines maintains full-service check-in counters at all locations they serve, typically opening two hours before domestic flights and three hours before international departures. Many Alaska hubs and focus cities also feature self-service kiosks where passengers can check in, print boarding passes, and tag their luggage without waiting in line at the full-service counters. These kiosks are designed for quick and easy operation, with intuitive touchscreen interfaces available in multiple languages.
Alaska Airlines enforces specific baggage check deadlines to ensure proper handling and loading of luggage. For domestic flights within the United States, checked baggage must be received at least 40 minutes before departure, while international flights require baggage to be checked at least 60 minutes prior to takeoff. The airline offers priority check-in benefits for Mileage Plan MVP, Gold, and 75K members, as well as premium class passengers, including dedicated check-in lanes and expedited baggage handling. Alaska also provides special assistance check-in areas for passengers requiring additional support, such as families traveling with young children or passengers with disabilities needing extra time and attention during the check-in process.