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

Alaska: 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm). Southwest: 24 × 16 × 10 in (61 × 41 × 25 cm). Southwest allows the larger bag.

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

Alaska: Saver fares include a carry-on and a personal item. Checked bags cost extra. Southwest: Even the Basic fare includes a carry-on and a personal item. Checked bags cost extra on Basic, Choice and Choice Preferred fares.

Which is more reliable, Alaska or Southwest?

In 2025 Alaska arrived on time 75.8% of the time (1.2% cancelled) and Southwest 77.8% (0.8% cancelled), according to U.S. DOT data.

Which has more legroom, Alaska or Southwest?

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

Which cancels fewer flights, Alaska or Southwest?

In 2025 Alaska cancelled 1.2% of its flights and Southwest 0.8%, so Southwest had the edge (U.S. DOT data).

Are Alaska and Southwest partners?

They aren't in the same alliance (Alaska: oneworld; Southwest: none), so miles and status generally don't transfer between them.

AS vs WN · 2026 comparison

Alaska vs Southwest

Alaska doesn't clearly win any category; Southwest wins on a bigger carry-on, better Wi-Fi access, a better on-time record and fewer cancellations. Here's how they compare on bags, fees, comfort, reliability and loyalty.

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

Alaska

No clear category wins

Southwest

Wins 4 categories

A bigger carry-on
Better Wi-Fi access
A better on-time record
Fewer cancellations

Quick verdict

Alaska doesn't clearly win any category; Southwest wins on a bigger carry-on, better Wi-Fi access, a better on-time record and fewer cancellations. Both include a carry-on on every fare.

Carry-on size: Alaska: 22 × 14 × 9 in · Southwest: 24 × 16 × 10 in
Carry-on on the cheapest fare: Alaska: Included on every fare · Southwest: Included on every fare
First checked bag (regular economy): Alaska: $45 · Southwest: $45
Standard economy legroom: Alaska: About 31 in · Southwest: About 31 in
Wi-Fi: Alaska: Free on some planes · Southwest: Free for members
On-time arrivals (2025): Alaska: 75.8% · Southwest: 77.8%

Side by side

	Alaska	Southwest
Bags
Carry-on size	22 × 14 × 9 in	24 × 16 × 10 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	16.25 × 13.5 × 8 in
First checked bag (regular economy)	$45	$45
Comfort
Standard economy legroom	About 31 in	About 31 in
Wi-Fi	Free on some planes	Free for members
Reliability
On-time arrivals (2025)	75.8%	77.8%
Flights cancelled (2025)	1.2%	0.8%
Network
Alliance	oneworld	None
Loyalty program	Atmos Rewards	Rapid Rewards
Main hubs	SEA, PDX, SFO, LAX, ANC	DEN, LAS, MDW, BWI, DAL

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

Alaska allows a carry-on up to 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm), and Southwest up to 24 × 16 × 10 in (61 × 41 × 25 cm), so Southwest's is roomier.

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 16.25 × 13.5 × 8 in (41 × 34 × 20 cm) on Southwest.

A first checked bag on Alaska costs $45 on flights within North America, and a first checked bag on Southwest costs $45 on flights within the U.S. mainland.

Basic economy

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

Southwest (Basic): Even the Basic fare includes a carry-on and a personal item. Checked bags cost extra on Basic, Choice and Choice Preferred fares.

Seats and Wi-Fi

Alaska gives about 31 in of legroom in standard economy and Southwest about 31 in. Alaska: About 31 in in Main; 34–36 in in Premium. Southwest: 31 in standard since assigned seating began; Extra Legroom rows 34–36 in.

Wi-Fi on Alaska: Free for Atmos Rewards members on Starlink-equipped planes as the rollout continues; otherwise paid. On Southwest: Free for Rapid Rewards members since October 2025.

On-time performance

In 2025, Alaska landed 75.8% of its flights on time and cancelled 1.2%; Southwest landed 77.8% on time and cancelled 0.8%. That makes Southwest 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

Alaska is in oneworld and Southwest is not in an alliance.

Loyalty programs: Atmos Rewards (Alaska) and Rapid Rewards (Southwest).

Alaska's main hubs are Seattle (SEA), Portland (PDX), San Francisco (SFO), Los Angeles (LAX), Anchorage (ANC). Southwest's are Denver (DEN), Las Vegas (LAS), Chicago (MDW), Baltimore (BWI), Dallas (DAL). The best choice often comes down to which airline flies nonstop from your airport.

Which should you book?

Choose Alaska if you want…

to earn and use oneworld miles and status
nonstops from SEA, PDX, SFO

Choose Southwest if you want…

a bigger carry-on
better Wi-Fi access
a better on-time record
fewer cancellations
nonstops from DEN, LAS, MDW

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.