Which has the bigger carry-on allowance, Alaska or American?

Alaska: 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm). American: 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm).

Do Alaska and American include a carry-on on basic economy?

Alaska: Saver fares include a carry-on and a personal item. Checked bags cost extra. American: Basic Economy includes a full-size carry-on and a personal item. Checked bags cost extra.

Which is more reliable, Alaska or American?

In 2025 Alaska arrived on time 75.8% of the time (1.2% cancelled) and American 72.7% (1.8% cancelled), according to U.S. DOT data.

Which has more legroom, Alaska or American?

Standard economy legroom is about 31 in on Alaska and about 30 in on American. Both sell extra-legroom seats.

Which has better Wi-Fi, Alaska or American?

Alaska: Free for Atmos Rewards members on Starlink-equipped planes as the rollout continues; otherwise paid. American: Free for AAdvantage members, rolling out since January 2026.

Which cancels fewer flights, Alaska or American?

In 2025 Alaska cancelled 1.2% of its flights and American 1.8%, so Alaska had the edge (U.S. DOT data).

Are Alaska and American partners?

Yes. Both belong to oneworld, so you can usually earn miles and use elite benefits across the two.

AS vs AA · 2026 comparison

Alaska vs American

Alaska wins on more legroom, a better on-time record and fewer cancellations; American wins on better Wi-Fi access. Here's how they compare on bags, fees, comfort, reliability and loyalty.

Verified Oct 17, 2026By Steven MoHow we check Report a correction

Alaska

Wins 3 categories

More legroom
A better on-time record
Fewer cancellations

American

Wins 1 category

Better Wi-Fi access

Quick verdict

Alaska wins on more legroom, a better on-time record and fewer cancellations; American wins on better Wi-Fi access. Both include a carry-on on every fare.

Carry-on size: Alaska: 22 × 14 × 9 in · American: 22 × 14 × 9 in
Carry-on on the cheapest fare: Alaska: Included on every fare · American: Included on every fare
First checked bag (regular economy): Alaska: $45 · American: $45
Standard economy legroom: Alaska: About 31 in · American: About 30 in
Wi-Fi: Alaska: Free on some planes · American: Free for members
On-time arrivals (2025): Alaska: 75.8% · American: 72.7%

Side by side

	Alaska	American
Bags
Carry-on size	22 × 14 × 9 in	22 × 14 × 9 in
Carry-on on the cheapest fare	Included on every fare	Included on every fare
Carry-on weight limit	None published	None published
Personal item	Must fit under the seat	18 × 14 × 8 in
First checked bag (regular economy)	$45	$45
Comfort
Standard economy legroom	About 31 in	About 30 in
Wi-Fi	Free on some planes	Free for members
Reliability
On-time arrivals (2025)	75.8%	72.7%
Flights cancelled (2025)	1.2%	1.8%
Network
Alliance	oneworld	oneworld
Loyalty program	Atmos Rewards	AAdvantage
Main hubs	SEA, PDX, SFO, LAX, ANC	DFW, CLT, ORD, MIA, PHL

Highlighted values are better for travelers. Fees are for U.S. domestic economy flights; on-time data is 2025 U.S. DOT figures for each airline's own flights.

Bags and fees

Both airlines allow a carry-on up to 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm).

Both include it on their cheapest fares.

Neither publishes a carry-on weight limit.

Personal items: anything that fits under the seat on Alaska, and 18 × 14 × 8 in (46 × 36 × 20 cm) on American.

A first checked bag on Alaska costs $45 on flights within North America, and a first checked bag on American costs $45 on U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico and short-haul international flights.

Basic economy

Alaska (Saver): Saver fares include a carry-on and a personal item. Checked bags cost extra.

American (Basic Economy): Basic Economy includes a full-size carry-on and a personal item. Checked bags cost extra.

Seats and Wi-Fi

Alaska gives about 31 in of legroom in standard economy and American about 30 in, an edge for Alaska. Alaska: About 31 in in Main; 34–36 in in Premium. American: About 30 in in Main Cabin; 34 in or more in Main Cabin Extra.

Wi-Fi on Alaska: Free for Atmos Rewards members on Starlink-equipped planes as the rollout continues; otherwise paid. On American: Free for AAdvantage members, rolling out since January 2026.

On-time performance

In 2025, Alaska landed 75.8% of its flights on time and cancelled 1.2%; American landed 72.7% on time and cancelled 1.8%. That makes Alaska the more punctual of the two. The figures come from the U.S. DOT and count each airline's own flights, not regional partners.

Loyalty and where they fly

Both are oneworld members, so status and miles can work across the two.

Loyalty programs: Atmos Rewards (Alaska) and AAdvantage (American).

Alaska's main hubs are Seattle (SEA), Portland (PDX), San Francisco (SFO), Los Angeles (LAX), Anchorage (ANC). American's are Dallas–Fort Worth (DFW), Charlotte (CLT), Chicago (ORD), Miami (MIA), Philadelphia (PHL). The best choice often comes down to which airline flies nonstop from your airport.

Which should you book?

Choose Alaska if you want…

more legroom
a better on-time record
fewer cancellations
to earn and use oneworld miles and status
nonstops from SEA, PDX, SFO

Choose American if you want…

better Wi-Fi access
to earn and use oneworld miles and status
nonstops from DFW, CLT, ORD

On a route both fly, the cheaper ticket isn't always the cheaper trip: add the bags you'll actually bring, and check the fare rules before you book.