Just as the warm summer weather has set records all summer long, the hot airfares between Anchorage and the Lower 48 are lower than ever.
Not only are the fares low for advance-purchase into September, October and November, but the instant "buy today, fly today" rates are at all-time lows. Low fares do not apply to all markets -- just select city-pairs where airlines are competing for travelers.
Yikes -- $196 RT to Seattle
At the top of the list -- call it the "Mother of all air-fare deals" -- is the Anchorage-Seattle rate. Keep in mind that last summer, the lowest fare was $544 roundtrip. Right now, JetBlue is offering Anchorage-Seattle tickets betwen Aug. 21 and Oct. 14 at $196 roundtrip. Sure, it's a red-eye. But hey, rent a hotel room with the money you're saving.
JetBlue also has disrupted the high fares between Anchorage and the Los Angeles Basin. Its nonstop between Anchorage and Long Beach is pricing out at $276 roundtrip between Aug. 20 and Sept. 4. But one itinerary is available for as little as $249 roundtrip: Anchorage-Long Beach on Sept. 11, returning on Sept. 17. That's a great deal.
United is putting the heat on little Virgin America right now. Virgin America only flies between now and Sept. 3. So United is dropping the fare on its competing nonstop to $289 roundtrip to Los Angeles between now (yes, you can leave as early as today or tomorrow) and Aug. 27.
Fly to Los Angeles nonstop with Alaska Airlines between Aug. 20 and Aug. 29 for as little as $276 roundtrip. You'll get double miles for the flights between now and Sept. 3!
Cheap visit to Southeast Alaska
Alaska Air also is offering a great deal between Anchorage and Wrangell, Alaska --- just $208 roundtrip. Depart on Aug 31, Sept. 14, 16 or 21 to get the best price. But many other dates are available for $211 roundtrip between Sept. 1 and Sept. 26.
Are you ready to say "Aloha" to our Alaska summer? Fly nonstop from Anchorage to Honolulu for as little as $440 roundtrip between now (instant purchase: "buy today, fly today") and mid-December.
Fly to mid-America, too -- either Kansas City or St. Louis. Between Anchorage and Kansas City, rates vary between $378 roundtrip and $394 roundtrip on Delta for travel through Nov. 12. From Anchorage to St. Louis, it's a shorter window: travel between now and Aug. 26 for just $386 roundtrip on United.
Heading to the Mile High City of Denver? The cost is just $339-$341 roundtrip for travel between now and Aug. 27 on either Delta or United.
Sample that 100-degree heat
For a good blast of heat, head to Phoenix for as little as $362 roundtrip on Delta. Again, you can even fly tomorrow.
The best fare to Texas is via Austin. Fly from Anchorage to Austin today or tomorrow for as little as $360 roundtrip. The low fares are valid through Oct. 9.
Fairbanksans can take advantage of Frontier Air's nonstop to Denver between now and Sept. 2. The cost? Just $318 roundtrip.
The deals to the East Coast from Anchorage still are in place, as follows:
• Anchorage-New York City, for as little as $360 roundtrip on Delta. Fly as early as today or as late as Oct. 10.
• Anchorage-Boston for $360 roundtrip on Delta. Fly now through Aug. 20, or between Sept. 5 and Oct. 10.
• Anchorage-Washington, DC for $357-$394 roundtrip between now and Sept. 11 on Delta.
• Anchorage-Charlotte, N.C. for $380 on Delta between now and Aug. 19. Or, fly between Aug. 27 and Nov. 15 on USAir for $415 roundtirp.
• Anchorage-Orlando, Fla., for $399 on Delta between now and Aug. 24. Or, fly between Aug. 27 and Nov. 13 on USAir for $442 roundtrip.
These are not the only deals -- just the best ones. If you see a fare you like, grab it.
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.