LAX - 50 min connection - enough?
 

Arriving and departing with Alaska Air - coming from DC and heading to Hawaii. Flight is pretty early in the morning.

I believe Alaska Air is 100% Terminal 6 right?

The only thing that makes me nervous is that we will have checked bags.

I would appreciate any input.

I would say no. Too many variables besides just the checked bags.

It's probably a legal connection, but that's cutting it too fine for my tastes.

The bags will make the transfer easier than the people do. Are you in Mint? If so, you'll be at the front of the plane and first off which helps. But with reduced service are there any B6 Hawaii flights departing later in the day? Being on one ticket - if the arriving flight is delayed they will put you on the next available flight - but that might be the next day or even later with the current load factors into HI. What time is the departing flight? With just 50 minutes (which is totally doable IF everything goes right) I'd personally want to arrive earlier in the day and have a longer connection (that might mean flying in the evening before)

However - in the current situation many airlines are actually holding some flights to wait for delayed connecting passengers . . . I guess it boils down to do you feel lucky . . .

In the past flights to Hawaii started boarding 45-60 minutes prior to pulling away from the gate, people tend to take a ton of luggage (plus surfboards, golf clubs, etc.) so while it may be a legal connection, I wouldn't do it. Alaska does have some later flights including a couple around 11am plus or minus but they all make a stop in PDX or SEA.

Oh jeeze - total brain cramp . . . I mentioned B6 (that's JetBlue) when you very clearly said Alaska. May have had Jet Blue onn the brain because I'd just been reading about them finally getting slots in London but who knows where that came from ;)

But in any case my basic comments would be the same -- jamie99 says AS does have later flights, though sort of roundabout through the Pacific northwest.

So what happens if the first flight arrives late or deplaning is delayed for some/any reason...?

I might chance this sort of situation on the return flight but never at the beginning of a trip.

Personally, I'd be comfortable with that connection. As noted there are later flights the airline could put you on.
your own risk tolerance may vary.