Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air Recommend Travelers Check All Baggage, Arrive Early

Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air are recommending that travelers check all baggage and do not bring any carry-on items onboard aircraft to help ensure they do not miss their flights.

The two carriers strongly encourage travelers to follow these new guidelines after the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced that, starting tomorrow, it intends to increase checks of carry-on luggage at randomly selected airport gates — in addition to current screening of all carry-on items at security checkpoints.

"We recognize that many of our customers prefer to carry their luggage onboard," said Steve Jarvis, Alaska Airlines’ vice president of sales and customer experience. "However, we also are striving to minimize flight delays. We plan to maintain our scheduled departure times as much as possible. Eliminating carry-ons by checking all baggage will help expedite the security process for all passengers and reduce the likelihood of missed flights."

At airport security checkpoints where an express lane is available for first-class and MVP Gold travelers, all passengers who do not have carry-on luggage also are able to use those lanes.

Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air also urge travelers to check airport Web sites to determine how much earlier to arrive before their flights and to arrive at the airport at least two hours before departure time.

The two carriers have been working with passengers who missed their flights today to accommodate them on later departures. Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air previously announced they are waiving change fees or offering ticket refunds for passengers traveling through Aug. 14 who elect to delay or cancel travel. Rescheduled travel must commence on or before Sept. 9, 2006.

Refunds will be offered for passengers who do not have new dates for travel. The policy applies to purchased and Mileage Plan award tickets.

Alaska and Horizon also announced that unaccompanied minors and pets traveling in the cabin with passengers or as cargo will again be allowed on flights starting Aug. 11. The carriers still are not allowing pets as checked baggage due to the increased likelihood of schedule disruptions and the risk of pets being separated from their owners. Passengers should check for an update to this policy on flights departing Aug. 12 or later.

Passengers will not be allowed through security checkpoints with any liquids, including beverages, shampoo, lotions, creams, toothpaste, hair gel and other items of similar consistency.

  Three exceptions to the ban on liquids currently include:

  -- Baby formula and breast milk -- providing an infant or small child is
     traveling. (Juice is no longer allowed.)
  -- Prescription medication bearing the name that matches the passenger's
     ticket.
  -- Insulin and other essential non-prescription medication.

Travelers are advised to check the TSA Web site at www.tsa.gov for the most current information on security restrictions.

Travelers who buy beverages or other prohibited liquids after passing through airport security will be required to finish them before boarding their flight.

Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air passengers with questions or concerns are advised to check the carriers’ Web site at alaskaair.com. They also may call Alaska Reservations at 800-252-7522 or Horizon Reservations at 800-547-9308.

Alaska Airlines and sister carrier, Horizon Air, together serve 88 cities through an expansive network throughout Alaska, the Lower 48, Canada and Mexico. For reservations visit alaskaair.com. For more news and information, visit the Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air Newsroom at alaskaair.com/newsroom.

SOURCE: Alaska Airlines