Alaska Airlines, Horizon Air Offer Top 10 Summer Travel Tips

With the Memorial Day holiday comes the beginning of the summer travel season. Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air offer the following tips for stress-free travel. More information is available in the "Know Before You Go" section of the airlines’ Web sites — alaskaair.com and horizonair.com.

  1. Be prepared for security procedures. The Transportation Security
     Administration (TSA) has specific rules for carrying liquids and gels
     in carry-on luggage, in addition to procedures related to electronics.
     Become familiar with all their procedures, as well as prohibited items,
     by checking the TSA Web site, www.tsa.gov.
  2. Be aware of passport requirements for international travel. Passengers
     traveling between the United States, Canada and Mexico are required to
     have a passport. For more information, visit the U.S. Department of
     State Web site at www.travel.state.gov.
  3. Know when to arrive at the airport and gate. Passengers should arrive
     at the airport at least two hours before a domestic departure and three
     hours before an international flight. Travelers should contact
     individual airports for specific recommended arrival times. Alaska and
     Horizon customers must be at the gate at least 30 minutes before a
     domestic departure and 40 minutes before an international flight. These
     guidelines apply to all airports, regardless of size.
  4. Allow extra time to get to the airport. Parking lots may be full during
     peak travel periods. Alaska and Horizon encourage passengers to take
     alternative transportation to the airport or park at a nearby satellite
     parking lot.
  5. Check in online. Alaska and Horizon passengers can check in online up
     to 24 hours before a domestic or international flight at alaskaair.com
     or horizonair.com. International passengers can enter passport
     information online. Passengers who check in online 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.
  6. Use a check-in kiosk. Alaska and Horizon provide more than 400
     convenient check-in kiosks at airports and many off-site locations.
     Kiosks allow passengers to check in for flights, print boarding passes,
     pay to check additional pieces of luggage, and change seat assignments.
     Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan members earn 1,000 Mileage Plan miles the
     first time they check in at a kiosk.
  7. Know the carry-on and checked luggage limits. Federal rules allow each
     customer to carry only one standard-sized carry-on bag and one personal
     item, such as a purse or laptop computer. Baggage fees will apply to
     items beyond the carry-on limits. Passengers should carry prescription
     medication, passports, cash, jewelry, business papers, laptops, cameras
     and other valuables in their carry-on luggage to keep control of these
     items. Detailed information is available at alaskaair.com and
     horizonair.com.
  8. Properly label luggage. Passengers should provide their name, address,
     phone number, destination phone number and e-mail address on a label
     inside and outside each piece of luggage.
  9. Know the rules for large or unusual items. Passengers with excess
     luggage, pets or oversized items, such as golf clubs, should check
     airline policies ahead of time.

  10. Take the express security line. Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan MVP Gold
      members and passengers with no carry-on items can use express lines at
      security checkpoints in Anchorage, Alaska; Portland, Ore.; Seattle;
      and Spokane, Wash. Express lines also are available for Horizon
      Shuttle passengers flying between Seattle or Portland and Spokane.

Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air, subsidiaries of Alaska Air Group , together serve more than 90 cities through an expansive network in Alaska, the Lower 48, Hawaii, Canada and Mexico. For reservations, visit alaskaair.com. For more news and information, visit the Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air Newsroom at alaskaair.com/newsroom.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact: maria.koenig@alaskaair.com

SOURCE: Alaska Air Group