SEATTLE, Nov. 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- 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.

CONTACT: Amanda Tobin Bielawski of Alaska Airlines, +1-206-392-5134; or
Jen Boyer of Horizon Air, +1-206-431-4672

Web site: http://www.alaskaair.com/