Alaska Airlines, Horizon Air Offer Holiday Travel Tips

In anticipation of the busy Thanksgiving holiday travel weekend, Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air offer these tips for stress-free travel:

  -- Be familiar with new rules for carry-ons. The Transportation Security
     Administration (TSA) has changed the rules for carry-on luggage since
     last Thanksgiving. Federal rules allow each customer to carry one
     standard-size carry-on bag and one personal item, such as a purse,
     briefcase or laptop computer. However, rules for packing liquids, gels
     and aerosols in carry-on bags have changed. Each passenger is permitted
     to bring these items only in three-ounce or smaller containers, and all
     containers must be packed in one quart-sized, clear-plastic zip-top
     bag. The TSA requires each passenger to place this bag in a bin or on
     the conveyor belt for X-ray screening. Full TSA rules are available at
     tsa.gov.
  -- Prepare for the security line. Passengers should avoid bringing
     TSA-prohibited items through the security line. A list of prohibited
     items, which includes knives and liquids or gels in containers larger
     than three ounces, is available at tsa.gov. Passengers can pass through
     security more quickly by limiting the number of electronic devices they
     carry and by removing shoes, metal objects and laptop computers before
     entering the screening area.
  -- Leave gifts unwrapped. Wrapped packages are subject to inspection
     regardless of whether passengers carry them through security or in
     checked luggage.
  -- Know the rules for large or unusual items. Passengers with excess
     luggage, pets or oversized items, such as skis, should check the
     airline's policies ahead of time.
  -- Review carry-on limits. All airlines allow only one carry-on bag and
     one personal item, such as a briefcase, laptop or purse. Horizon Air
     allows slightly larger-than-normal carry-on items due to the airline's
     popular planeside Ala Cart service. However, passengers planning to
     transfer to Alaska Airlines or another carrier must adhere to the
     standard carry-on size limits allowed by these carriers.
  -- Know when to go. In general, passengers should arrive at the airport at
     least two hours before domestic departures and three hours before
     international departures. For smaller airports, it is still a good idea
     to follow this rule because of the holiday increase in passengers and
     baggage. Specific information is available at each airport. Passengers
     must be at the gate at least 30 minutes prior to departure, or 40
     minutes prior to an international departure, to board.
  -- Consider checking in online. Alaska and Horizon passengers can check in
     online for domestic and international flights as early as 24 hours
     before departure at alaskaair.com or horizonair.com. International
     passengers can also enter passport information online. Passengers
     should leave ample time to check any luggage at the airport. Alaska
     Airlines Mileage Plan members earn 1,000 Mileage Plan miles the first
     time they check in online.
  -- Use a check-in kiosk. Alaska and Horizon provide more than 400
     convenient check-in kiosks at airports and many off-site locations.
     Passengers can print out their own boarding pass, and some kiosks offer
     baggage check-in. Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan members earn 1,000
     Mileage Plan miles the first time they check in at a kiosk.
  -- Take the express line. MVP Gold Mileage Plan members and passengers
     with no carry-on items can use express lines at security checkpoints in
     Seattle; Spokane, Wash.; Anchorage, Alaska; and Portland, Ore. Express
     lines also are available for Horizon Shuttle passengers traveling from
     Seattle and Portland to Spokane.
  -- Carry on all valuables, medication, documents and film. Passengers
     should carry prescription medications, passports, cash, jewelry,
     business papers, film and other valuables in carry-on luggage to keep
     control of these items. TSA rules permit prescription medications
     through security checkpoints and require them to be declared.
  -- Properly label all luggage. Passengers should provide a clearly printed
     label on the outside and inside of each piece of luggage. Tags should
     include name, address, permanent phone number and a phone number at the
     passenger's destination.
  -- Plan for transportation to the airport. Passengers should allow extra
     time for parking as some lots may be full. Passengers are encouraged to
     take a shuttle to the airport or park at a satellite parking lot
     nearby. If traveling through Seattle, passengers should visit the Port
     of Seattle Web site, portofseattle.org, for information about
     airport-area construction.

Alaska Airlines and sister carrier, Horizon Air, together serve 89 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.

FCMN Contact: maria.koenig@alaskaair.com

SOURCE: Alaska Airlines