Alaska Airlines is one of the major US airlines, serving over 120 destinations across North, Central and South America. As one of the leading airlines in the West Coast, Alaska Airlines operates an extensive domestic network as well as international flights to Mexico, Costa Rica and Canada.
Understanding Alaska Airlines’ hours of operation is key for travelers looking to book flights, check in, board planes, or get assistance from Alaska Airlines staff This article provides a comprehensive overview of Alaska Airlines hours for different services, to help customers easily access the information they need.
Airport Hours
The hours of Alaska Airlines airport counters vary by location At most airports, Alaska Airlines ticket counters are open 2-3 hours before the first flight of the day departs Counters typically close 30-60 minutes after the final Alaska Airlines flight has departed for the day.
For example, at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Alaska Airlines’ counter hours are:
- Open: 5:00am
- Close: 10:00pm
Meanwhile at Los Angeles International Airport counter hours are
- Open: 5:00am
- Close: 11:30pm
During peak travel periods like holidays, counters may open earlier and close later to accommodate additional passengers. It’s always wise to check your airport’s Alaska Airlines counter hours in advance if traveling very early or late in the day.
Check-In Hours
- Online check-in opens 24 hours before scheduled departure
- Online check-in closes 60 minutes prior to departure
- In-person check-in closes 30-40 minutes before scheduled departure time
Alaska Airlines encourages all passengers to check in online or via the mobile app whenever possible. This allows you to check in 24 hours in advance and select your preferred seat.
If you need to check-in at the airport, arrive with plenty of time before your flight’s check-in deadline, which is 30-40 minutes before departure. Cutoff times for check-in and baggage drop vary by airport, so review your airport’s specifics on the Alaska Airlines website.
Boarding Times
After checking in, Alaska Airlines boards flights by group number, which is printed on your boarding pass:
- First Class boards first
- Premium Class boards after First Class
- Main cabin boards back to front
Boarding typically begins 30 minutes prior to departure and ends 10 minutes before scheduled departure time. Having your boarding pass and ID ready when your group number is called will help ensure an on-time departure.
If you are running late, speak to an Alaska Airlines agent immediately upon arrival to see if accommodations can be made. But be aware that boarding deadlines are strictly enforced.
Baggage Claim Hours
Since baggage claim hours depend on flight arrival times, this varies significantly by airport. As a general rule:
- Baggage claims open 30 minutes prior to the first flight arrival of the day
- Baggage claims close 30 minutes after the last flight has arrived for the day
At larger airports like LAX and Seattle, baggage claims are open later and close 30-60 minutes after the last daily arrival. Alaska Airlines posts updated hours for baggage claim operations at each airport on their website.
Be sure to check your flight status before heading to baggage claim, since delayed arrivals can push back the baggage delivery time. Claims may close earlier than posted hours if the last scheduled flight has arrived and all baggage has been delivered.
Alaska Airlines Customer Service Hours
Alaska Airlines provides customer service by phone and online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week:
- Customer Care Phone Support: 1-800-252-7522
- Open 24/7
- Provides assistance with reservations, ticket changes, cancellations
- Has specific contacts for other needs like disability assistance and unaccompanied minors
- Messenger Support: Accessible 24/7 via Facebook Messenger
- Helps customers with basic reservations questions
- Provides flight status updates
- Can reissue e-tickets
- Customer Care Email Form: Online customer service contact form
- Submit questions online 24/7
- Agents respond directly by email
Alaska Airlines also has an extensive self-service section on their website and mobile app. Here you can find information on reservations, flight status, check-in, airport guides and more.
Important Operating Hours for Alaska Airlines Customers
Here is a quick reference for key Alaska Airlines hours that impact travelers:
- Airport ticket counters: Open 2-3 hours prior to first flight, close 30-60 minutes after last flight
- Online check-in: Opens 24 hours before flight, closes 60 minutes before departure
- In-person check-in: Closes 30-40 minutes before departure
- Boarding times: Typically 30-10 minutes before departure
- Baggage claim: Opens 30 minutes before first arrival, closes 30 minutes after last arrival
- Customer service (phone, online, app): Available 24 hours
Be sure to verify your specific airport’s hours for ticket counters, check-in, and baggage claim when booking flights and making travel plans. This ensures you account for Alaska Airlines’ hours of operations at your departure and arrival airports.
Allow plenty of buffer time for arriving at the airport, checking in, clearing security, and boarding your flight. While Alaska Airlines staffs counters, check-in, and boarding right up until the deadlines, it’s always wise to give yourself a cushion in case of long lines or other delays.
With boarding times starting just 30 minutes prior to departure, you’ll want to arrive at the gate no later than 45-60 minutes before your scheduled departure. This helps ensure you don’t miss the boarding process and can depart on time.
Tips for Travelers
When flying Alaska Airlines, keep these tips in mind regarding their hours:
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Check airport counter hours – Ensure you can obtain boarding passes during open times, especially for very early/late flights
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Arrive early for check-in – Don’t cut it too close to the check-in deadline in case lines are long
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Verify baggage claim info – Confirm when claims open/close at your arrival airport
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Use online customer service – Take advantage of 24/7 online support via phone, email, social media, website
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Allow extra connection time – When booking itineraries, allow enough connection time given boarding/claim hours
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Confirm flight status – Check your flight status before heading to the airport or baggage claim after arrival
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Track your wait time – Pay attention to wait times at check-in and security so you don’t miss your flight
By understanding Alaska Airlines’ hours of operation and building appropriate buffers into your itinerary, you can ensure a smooth journey when flying Alaska Airlines. Their customer service team is available 24 hours a day to support travelers and answer any questions on Alaska Airlines hours as you plan your trip.
Minimum required check-in without bags
If you are only traveling with carry-on bags you must be checked in, with a valid boarding pass in hand, no later than the minimum cut-off times noted below to avoid rebooking on a later flight:
| International flights1 | Domestic flights2 |
|---|---|
| 60 minutes | 50 minutes |
1 Passengers traveling from Guadalajara have a 90-minute check-in cut-off time.
2 Customers departing King Salmon and Dillingham must be checked in at least 60 minutes prior to departure.
Please note that these cut-off times will not ensure that you make it to your departure gate in time for boarding. Busy security lines and heavy passenger traffic may require extra time.
Please refer to our airport guides for recommended arrival times at your departure airport.
Minimum required check-in with bags
When you check bags on our flights, you must make sure that all of your checked luggage has been received by the airline and a valid boarding pass is received no later than the cut-off times listed below to avoid rebooking on a later flight.
In order to ensure your bags are turned over in time, you’ll need to be in the bag drop line well before the cut-off. Please refer to our airport guides for recommended arrival times at your departure airport.
| International flights1 | Domestic flights2 |
|---|---|
| 60 minutes | 50 minutes |
1 Passengers traveling from Guadalajara have a 90-minute baggage cut-off time.
2 Checked baggage for customers departing King Salmon and Dillingham must be presented and processed at least 60 minutes prior to departure.
Please note that these cut-off times will not ensure that you make it to your departure gate in time for boarding. Busy security lines and heavy passenger traffic may require extra time.
The MOST Unusual Flight in the USA (Alaska’s Milk Run)
FAQ
Does Alaska Airlines do a 24-hour check-in?
Skip the line and head straight for your gate. Check in anytime from 1 to 24 hours before your flight. Print your boarding pass and off you go.
What is the phone number for Alaska Airlines reservations?
Each ticketed adult may travel with one lap infant. To add a lap infant request to your reservation, call Alaska Airlines reservations at 1-800-252-7522 with your confirmation code.
Where is the Alaska Airlines call center?
Our contact centers are conveniently located in SeaTac, WA; Chandler, AZ; and Boise, ID.
Does Alaska have 24 hour cancellation?
Cancel your flights within 24 hours of purchase for a full refund, or make a change* to your itinerary within 24 hours of purchase with no change fees. Planning a trip can be complicated; hurdles tend to pop up when you’re least expecting them.
What are Alaska Airlines phone support hours?
Here are the standard phone support hours: So during the week, phone lines are open 14 hours per day. On weekends, hours are slightly shorter at 10.5 hours on Saturday and 9.5 hours on Sunday. All times are in Pacific Time. Alaska Airlines is headquartered in Seattle, so operating hours are based on Pacific Time Zone.
Does Alaska Airlines offer 24 hour service?
While Alaska Airlines does not offer 24 hour service, there are still options if you need to reach them outside standard operating hours: Use online self-service – Alaska’s website and mobile app allow you to make reservations, check-in, print boarding passes, check flight status, and more.
Does Alaska Airlines offer chat on holidays?
Chat is not offered at all on major holidays. Alaska Airlines can also be reached via social media like Facebook and Twitter for customer service issues. While they don’t provide 24/7 social media support, Alaska Airlines does monitor feeds closely and responds to most messages within an hour or two.
How long does Alaska airport phone support last?
No 24 hour service – Phone support runs 14 hours daily only. Confirm latest hours – Always verify directly before going to an airport in person. Since hours can change, it’s wise to always confirm Alaska’s latest hours before contacting them. Some tips for getting their most up-to-date hours:
Do Alaska Airlines have snacks?
For flights over 1.5 hours, they offer light snacks including potato chips, trail mix, almonds and more available for purchase. If you are traveling with kids, they have a kid’s snack available as well. You can also use the Alaska Airlines App. This will allow you to reserve food before the flight between 12 hours and 2 weeks in advance.
What can you eat on Alaska Airlines?
Lunch and dinner options available for flights over three hours long. They include a fall harvest salad, protein platter, and chicken pesto sandwich. You can see a full menu and prices on Alaska Airlines website.