Get Started

Ready to start shipping?  We've gathered our most referenced resources to help you get started, including this step-by-step guide to making your first shipment.  Whether you are a seasoned cargo professional or just getting started, our goal is to make shipping with us as easy as can be for you. 

Step-by-Step Guide to Shipping With Us

1 Confirm your eligibility to ship

Shipment requirements can vary due to the type of items you have and where you ship them. Please review the following information to ensure you are eligible to ship on a passenger carrier.

  • Pet Shipping: The process for shipping pets is different. Our Pet Connect™ animal travel service provides quality care when transporting your live animals such as dogs, cats, birds and other animals (subject to approval).  Learn more about transporting your live animals.
  • City Locations: Confirm Alaska Air Cargo offers cargo services in the locations you want to move shipments between. Check out our list of cities for more detailed information.
  • Known Shipper: The TSA requires every customer to be a Known Shipper. For more information about becoming a Known Shipper or to apply, visit our Known Shipper page.
  • Special Handling Items: Some items have special packaging requirements or might not be allowed to ship. Please visit our What We Ship pages to ensure your shipment is eligible.

2Review our shipping services

Whether you need low-cost or time-sensitive guaranteed options, we have you covered. 

3 Check schedules and pricing

Quickly find flight times and estimate pricing on your own or use your online booking account for a quick estimate: 

  • Log into your online booking account, select your shipment options via the Booking feature to generate your customized shipment price. Save your estimate for later or book your shipment at the same time. 

4 Book your shipment

Please have the following information ready before you book:

  • Departure and arrival locations
  • The total number of packages being shipped
  • The weight of each package (lbs.)
  • Dimensions of each package (L x W x H)
  • Shipping service
  • Customer ID number
  • The name of who will be dropping off and picking up the shipment
  • A phone number to call when the shipment arrives
  • Any special handling needs (ex. - whether it need to be cooled or frozen)
  • The commodity type (if applicable)

NOTE: Pet Connect shipments, Live Animals (AVI), Human Remains and all Interline shipments with partner airlines must be booked through our Cargo Call Center.

5 Drop off your shipment

Bring your shipment to your local Alaska Air Cargo facility.

Please present:

  • A government-issued I.D.
  • An air waybill number

Shipments must be tendered at least 60 minutes in advance for GoldStreak and two hours in advance for Priority Air Freight.

6Track your shipment

Track your shipment online. Have your air waybill number ready and see the status of your shipment.

Sign up for email notifications
Receive email notification with tracking information about your shipment. Update or add shipment notification emails from the online booking portal and directly within your Air Waybill. 

Request Online Access

Already a Known Shipper and need to request an online booking account? While many tools and features are available without an online account such as better tracking tools, notification options and enhanced shipping details, an online account is required to book online and access account management features.