Travel

Best airfare deals for Alaskans headed Outside this spring

Here are the best airfare deals from Alaska to the Lower 48 and beyond that I could find, many of which are coming up soon. But first, I apologize to readers traveling to/from hot spots like Fairbanks, Juneau, Kodiak and Ketchikan. I've searched around for some good fares, but nothing is popping up right now. That may change Tuesday, with Alaska Airlines' Club 49 weekly specials, so stay tuned.

Remember, these fares change all the time. They appear, disappear and re-appear. We're watching all the time, of course. I like Google's ITA Software tool to get a good idea of the fares. But sometimes only the actual airline website has the best rate. Other times, you have to cobble together a fare using more than one airline. When it gets silly, call a travel agent. They "live" in this matrix of fares, rules and restrictions.

Let's get right to it, shall we?

Anchorage-Seattle: The deals start May 16. Three airlines are playing: Alaska (alaskaair.com), JetBlue (jetblue.com) and United (united.com). Delta (delta.com) joins the party in June. From $266 roundtrip.

Anchorage-Los Angeles International (LAX): I pulled up a great $168 one-way fare on Alaska (nonstop) on April 19. The return on April 23 was on Delta, via Salt Lake City for $181. The $359 roundtrip fare is great!

Anchorage-Long Beach: JetBlue is the thought-leader on this route, offering nonstop flights from $348 roundtrip starting May 19.

Anchorage-Oakland: Fly on Delta, from $348 roundtrip, starting May 19. Epic!

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Anchorage-Denver: Count on Frontier to apply downward pressure on fares: from $376 roundtrip, starting May 16.

Anchorage-Fresno: Delta is offering the best rates, as low as $380 roundtrip, starting May 16.

Anchorage-Austin: Wow. Starting on May 16, you can get rates as low as $172 each way on United, American (www.aa.com) or Frontier (flyfrontier.com) . Return on May 22 on Delta for $175. When Virgin America (virginamerica.com) starts flying in early June, there are more dates available for as little as $350 roundtrip.

Anchorage-Dallas: This is one of my favorites: fly nonstop on American Airlines starting May 9 for $426 roundtrip. Wow!

Anchorage-Miami: For just $448 roundtrip, you can fly Anchorage-Miami as soon as April 8 (yes -- next week) on United. For a few bucks more, fly on Delta and get your Alaska Airlines miles ($452 roundtrip).

Anchorage-Orlando: Fly on Delta for $484 roundtrip. That's an excellent deal all the way from Anchorage. I found seats on May 16, May 20 and June 3.

Anchorage-Charlotte: This fare keeps popping up on United: $460 roundtrip, April 24-May 1. Sometimes you have to search the one-way fares on ITA to cobble together the best rate.

Anchorage-Boston: Here's another great rate that keeps appearing and disappearing. Right now, fly Anchorage-Boston on American May 17 for $173. Return on Delta on May 29 for $179. That is an awesome East Coast deal!

Anchorage-New York: Delta continues to serve up some great East Coast deals like this one to JFK -- $358 roundtrip, starting May 22.

International flights

On the international front, let's all stand up and offer a hearty "HUZZAH" to both Icelandair (icelandair.com) and Condor (condor.com). These two airlines are offering over-the-top European service between May and September. The real money for these carriers is the inbound traffic from Europe to Alaska. But smart travelers can grab some great deals on the backhaul:

Fly Anchorage-Frankfurt nonstop with Condor, for as little as $871 roundtrip May 14-25.

Enjoy Icelandair's new nonstop Anchorage-Reykjavik, priced as low as $584 roundtrip May 20-June 12.

As other seasonal airlines start up their Alaska service, I expect more price-cutting. Watch for specials from Virgin America, Air Canada, Sun Country and American. I'm not sure about Yakutia and their nonstops to Russia. So stay tuned, since fares change all the time.

Scott McMurren is an Anchorage-based travel marketing consultant who has lived in Alaska for three decades, spending much of that time traveling the far-flung corners of the state. Visit his website at www.alaskatravelgram.com or follow him on Twitter for breaking travel news.

Scott McMurren

Scott McMurren is an Anchorage-based marketing consultant, serving clients in the transportation, hospitality, media and specialty destination sectors, among others. Contact him by email at zoom907@me.com. Subscribe to his e-newsletter at alaskatravelgram.com. For more information, visit alaskatravelgram.com/about.

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