Bering Air is updating its baggage policy this summer, with new rules taking effect in two phases beginning June 1 and July 1. The changes are expected to affect residents across western Alaska who depend on the regional airline for travel and transport of essential goods.
Starting June 1, passengers will be allowed one checked bag and one small personal item, totaling up to 50 pounds of free baggage. An additional 50 pounds may be transported on a space-available basis, also free of charge.
But starting July 1, passenger's will only be able to check up to two additional bags under 50 pounds, with each carrying a $50 charge. Any bag between 51 and 100 pounds will cost $100 to check. If your total baggage exceeds 150 pounds, at least one of the items must fly separately on Bering Air Cargo.
Bering Air’s incoming Customer Service Manager, Dan Fishel, said the company is taking the tiered approach to provide a “period of transition” for its passengers.
“We recognize that changes can impact our passengers, and we wanted to implement these adjustments thoughtfully. By phasing in the new regulations, we aim to give everyone ample time to understand the upcoming changes and adapt their travel preparations accordingly,” Fishel said by email. “We believe this gradual implementation demonstrates our consideration for the potential adjustments our passengers may need to make.”
Fishel said the change was driven by a desire to improve efficiency. He said the more lenient policy of the past often led to delays as personnel carefully considered what could safely be loaded on flights.
“This new approach is a proactive step to create a more reliable and predictable experience for everyone,” he said.
Bering Air’s mixed fleet of Cessna, Beech, and CASA aircraft carry passengers, supplies, and mail to over 20 communities in western Alaska – all off the road system. It primarily operates from hubs in Nome, Unalakleet, and Kotzebue.
Regional residents have long-relied on the nearly half-a-century old company for their transportation needs, but it comes with a hefty cost. A roundtrip fare between Nome and Elim – 100 miles to the southeast – costs $414. Beginning July 1, bringing a second checked bag like a tote to haul back goods from Nome would add $100 to the round trip cost.
Fishel said Bering Air carefully considered the impact of these changes, especially for the rural communities the regional airline serves. He said Bering Air’s cargo operations are available for those needing to ship items between communities.
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Effective July 1, 2025. Enter the number of bags you plan to check and how much they weigh:
“To continue supporting the transportation of goods at affordable rates, we want to emphasize that Bering Air Cargo remains readily available for shipping any number of items,” Fishel said. “This allows our passengers to continue utilizing a reliable and cost-effective solution for their cargo needs, ensuring that this essential service is maintained alongside our updated passenger baggage policy.”
At time of publication, the cost to ship a 50 pound package on Bering Air Cargo from Nome to Elim is $1.22 per pound for a total of $61 plus tax. Bering Air Cargo offers tiered pricing, with the cost per pound decreasing with increased total weight.
When asked if Bering Air anticipates airfare hikes amid nationwide tariffs, Fishel said the company did not have any updates to share at this time.
Following the crash of Bering Air Flight 445 in February, the airline has tested a number of changes to its procedures including temporarily asking passengers to step on scales to confirm their weight, which previously operated on the honor-system. Preliminary findings issued by the National Transportation Safety Board found the Cessna Caravan traveling from Unalakleet to Nome was more than 1,000 pounds overweight for the icy conditions at the time of the accident.
