Alaska Air Drops Bike Fees to $25

Jennifer Post

Alaska just lowered their bike fees to $25.

"Yep, that’s right – starting July 19, most sporting equipment that may exceed our normal checked baggage weight and dimensions flies for only $25. This is a big win for sports enthusiasts and sports teams who can now take their gear along as one of their two checked bags for a fee of only $25. In the past, many of these items have carried a fee of $75. (See below for a whole list of items that now travel for just $25.)

Additionally, as an added benefit for our MVP Gold 75K, MVP Gold, MVP, First Class, and Club 49 guests—sporting equipment that was previously charged as oversized/overweight now counts towards their free checked baggage allowance. The same applies for the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Card free checked bag. Excess baggage charges may apply for items that exceed the free checked baggage allowance.

The new lower fee also applies to Horizon Air and SkyWest-operated flights and will be added to Virgin America at a later date.

https://blog.alaskaair.com/alaska-airlines/sports-equipment-update/#more-6812

BHobbs

That's great news!

Aaron Webstey

Do they fly anywhere other than Alaska?

KHilgendorf

@AaronWebstey after the acquisition with Virgin America, they have a decent national presence in the US. Alaska's main market was on the west coast prior, utilizing codeshare agreements with American to extend their network. Many of those agreements have been nixed for anti-trust/competition issues. They are still heavily centered around hubs on the Pacific, but the acquisition should lead to expanding operations out of some markets in the east. Canada and the midwest/south are pretty much SOL.

Aaron Webstey

Classic anti-Canadianism from jealous Alaska. We get it, you're cold and snowy too!

Jennifer Post

As @KHilgendorf says, Alaska is big on West coast but expanding with Virgin America acquisition. Alaska and Delta are in a battle to be the #1 airline out of SeaTac which is one reason behind this change I am sure. Alaska has non-stop flights to Kona from Seattle, Oakland, and LAX so I am sure there are many happy triathletes with flights booked in October after this change.