Air FoyleGS

Grant Aviation is Alaska's premiere bush carrier, operating since 1971 to serve remote communities across Alaska that lack road access or commercial airport facilities. Based in Anchorage, Grant operates a diverse fleet of aircraft specially equipped for challenging terrain, extreme weather, and short-field operations in the Alaskan wilderness.

As an essential lifeline service, Grant Aviation connects isolated villages, mining operations, fishing camps, and hunting lodges to larger population centers. The airline specializes in passenger and cargo operations with an emphasis on safety and reliability in one of the world's most demanding flying environments.

Carry-On Allowance

Personal Item (free on all flights):

• Dimensions: 18" x 14" x 8" (45 x 35 x 20 cm)
• Must fit under the seat in front of you or in tight overhead space
• Examples: Small backpack, purse, laptop bag, camera bag

Cabin Bag (overhead bin or space-available basis):

• Dimensions: 22" x 14" x 9" (56 x 36 x 23 cm) including handles and wheels
• Weight: No weight limit
• Included: Free on all passenger fares
• Note: Space is limited on smaller bush aircraft; larger bags may require gate check

Fare Class	Personal Item	Cabin Bag
Standard	✓ Free	✓ Free
Charter	✓ Free	✓ Free

Checked Baggage

Standard Size: 62 linear inches / 158 cm maximum (length + width + height)

Baggage Fees (Per Bag):

Item	Fee
First Checked Bag	Included (up to 50 lbs)
Second Checked Bag	$150 USD
Third+ Checked Bag	$200 USD each

Weight Limits:

• Standard economy: 50 lbs (23 kg) per bag
• Maximum weight per bag: 100 lbs (45 kg)
• Bags over 50 lbs incur $100 overweight fee

Route Variations:

• Scheduled Alaska service: 1 bag at 50 lbs included
• Bush remote routes: Additional restrictions may apply due to aircraft payload limitations
• Charter flights: Baggage allowance negotiated per flight based on aircraft weight/balance

Overweight & Oversized Fees

Weight Range	Fee
51-100 lbs (23-45 kg)	$100
Over 100 lbs (45 kg)	Not accepted on most routes

Oversized Baggage:

Size Range	Fee
63-80 linear in (160-203 cm)	$150
81-115 linear in (204-292 cm)	$200
Over 115 linear in	Not accepted

Note: On smaller bush aircraft (6-10 passenger planes), weight and balance restrictions may be more strictly enforced. Check with Grant directly for remote routes.

Special Items

Grant Aviation accommodates special items for Alaska's hunting, fishing, and outdoor community. Many items receive preferential handling due to the airline's regional focus.

Item	Fee	Notes
Fishing rods/tackle	Standard bag fee	Rod cases count as 1 checked bag
Hunting rifles	Standard bag fee	Hard case required, ammunition in checked baggage only, must declare
Shotguns	Standard bag fee	Hard case required, declared to crew
Golf clubs	Standard bag fee	Counts as 1 checked bag, max 50 lbs
Skis/snowboards	Standard bag fee	Oversize fee waived, winter sports essential to Alaska
Hiking boots/gear	Carry-on/checked	No fee for carry-on
Camping equipment	Standard bag fee	Fuel canisters must be empty
Car seat	Free	Doesn't count toward baggage allowance
Stroller	Free	Gate-check available at ANC
CPAP/oxygen	Free	Doesn't count as carry-on
Firearms ammunition	Checked baggage only	Must be declared and in original packaging, standard checked bag fees apply

Important Note: Grant Aviation's bush community focus means many items that would incur fees on major carriers are handled flexibly. Contact the airline directly if you have unusual items for Alaska outdoor activities.

Grant Aviation's in-flight experience varies significantly based on aircraft type and route. The airline operates a mix of pressurized and unpressurized aircraft for different mission requirements.

Aircraft Fleet

Large Aircraft (Scheduled Service):

• Cessna 208 Caravan: Workhorse bush aircraft, 9-14 passengers, unpressurized single-engine, operates on gravel, water, and remote strips
• Cessna 206: 6-passenger high-performance single-engine, used for remote lodges and outlying villages
• Piper Navajo: Twin-engine 6-8 passenger, pressurized for higher altitude routes

Scheduled Service Amenities:

• Minimal cabin amenities on small bush planes
• No beverage or food service on most routes (bring your own)
• No seatback entertainment
• Headsets provided on some flights for communication over engine noise
• Windows for scenic Alaskan views
• Luggage racks and tie-downs for cargo

Cabin Comfort

Seating:

• Bush aircraft: Basic lightweight seats with minimal padding, lap belts only
• Single-engine aircraft: 5-10" recline, minimal seat width
• Twin-engine routes: Slightly wider seating (18-20"), basic recline

Temperature Control:

• Heating available on pressurized aircraft
• Bush planes maintain cabin temperature through active heating
• High-altitude routes (above 10,000 ft) are pressurized on Navajo flights

Noise Level:

• Single-engine bush flights are notably louder than commercial jets
• Headsets provided to communicate with crew during flight
• Earplugs recommended for sensitive passengers

Special Circumstances

Unpressurized Flights:

• Typical cruise altitude 5,000-8,000 ft to avoid pressurization needs
• No supplemental oxygen required at these altitudes for most passengers
• Medical oxygen can be arranged with advance notice

Water Landings:

• Some Grant routes include landings on water (amphibious operations)
• Aircraft equipped with floats for lake/river landings
• Life vests provided; safety briefing required

Weather Delays:

• Remote Alaska weather can cause unpredictable delays
• Grant prioritizes safety over schedule
• Minimal airport facilities at many village stops (no terminal, outdoor waiting)

Booking & Pricing

Direct Booking:

• Book directly on grantaviation.com or by phone for best support
• GDS booking (travel agents) may have outdated availability
• Friday-Sunday peak surcharge on popular routes (ANC to ski areas)

Fare Types:

• Basic economy: Most fares, fully booked required (best price)
• Flexible: Allows date changes (small premium)
• Charter: Private aircraft rental available for groups (premium pricing)

Timing:

• Bush traffic is seasonal; summer has more flights, winter fewer options
• Book 2-3 weeks ahead for peak summer travel (June-Aug)
• Winter (Oct-Apr) has fewer destinations served due to weather

At Anchorage (ANC)

Terminal Tips:

• Grant Aviation uses the main terminal; arrive 1.5 hours before departure
• Limited seating in departure area; arrive early
• Grant Aviation Information Desk near gates A-B
• WiFi available throughout ANC terminal (free)
• Restaurants and shops in main terminal

Flight Preparation:

• Bush flights lack overhead bins; stow bags under seats or lashed to walls
• Dress for both on-aircraft temperature and outdoor bush terminal temperatures
• Bring entertainment (no seatback screens)
• Earplugs strongly recommended for single-engine flights
• Motion sickness medication if prone (turbulence more common on bush flights)

Luggage Handling:

• Large checked bags may be gate-checked on smaller aircraft
• Carry-on size is strictly enforced due to weight-and-balance requirements
• Fragile items: Request special handling (Grant staff accommodates as possible)
• Remove valuables from checked bags (no liability for loss/damage)

Remote Airport Operations

What to Expect:

• Remote village airstrips lack terminal buildings at most locations
• Waiting areas may be open-air (bring rain gear, dress warmly)
• No baggage carousel; crew unloads directly from aircraft
• Passengers may hand-carry bags down stairs from aircraft
• Turnaround times typically 15-30 minutes

Weather Contingencies:

• Weather briefing available at ANC; ask crew about conditions at destination
• Storms can strand you for hours; Alaska weather changes rapidly
• Keep important items in carry-on (if diverted to alternate, checked may be stuck)

Flying in Winter:

• Ground may be snow/ice; wear boots with good traction
• Aircraft may require warm-up time before departure (normal, not a delay)
• Cold-weather survival kit may be carried by bush aircraft (crew's responsibility)

Special Routing Tips

Connecting Flights:

• Grant works with Alaska Airlines (AS) for connections from ANC to Lower 48
• Allow minimum 2-hour layover for connections
• Grant and Alaska operate independently; luggage may not auto-tag to final destination
• Confirm baggage is included on your full itinerary

Rural Lodges & Outfitters:

• Many remote lodges provide ground transportation from airstrip to facility
• Arrange lodge pickup in advance (Grant can help coordinate)
• Ask about bulk baggage allowances for week-long trips (negotiable on charters)

Charter Operations:

• Grant offers charter flights for groups, hunting expeditions, emergency evacuations
• Charter pricing: $2,000-5,000+ per flight hour depending on aircraft
• Arrange charters via phone: 1-907-243-5325
• Lead time: 1-2 weeks recommended (last-minute may be available if aircraft is free)

Earning & Redeeming Miles

Maximizing Miles:

• Grant's Rewards tier status resets Jan 1 each year
• Earn status by calendar year miles, not by flying to a threshold
• Short regional hops (1-3 hours) offer best miles-per-dollar redemption value
• Partner redemptions rarely available; focus on Grant-operated flights only
• Sign up for email alerts on Award Flash Sales (miles discounts, rare but valuable)

Smart Redemptions:

• Charter flights offer best value when booked with miles (25,000-35,000 miles)
• Peak summer flights (June-Aug) have limited award availability; book 2+ months early
• Off-season (Oct-Apr) award seats more available
• Upgrade awards almost never available (no premium cabin to upgrade to)

Common Mistakes:

• Forgetting to link co-branded Alaska credit card to rewards account
• Trying to book award flights during peak summer (book off-season instead)
• Not realizing partner programs are extremely limited (most miles must go to Grant flights)

For current policies and real-time booking, visit grantaviation.com or call 1-907-243-5325 (Alaska time). This guide reflects policies as of January 2026.