Alaska News

Air fares from Alaska dipping below $400 round trip as summer approaches

The air fare scene for Anchorage travelers is improving as carriers ramp up for summer flights. Plus, there's a nice event next Saturday to kick-start your in-state travel plans.

If you want to travel during April, you can pick from several popular destinations:

• Anchorage-Philadelphia for $378 round trip on United. This is a great deal -- and represents the least-expensive East Coast destination from Anchorage. In fact, it's less than a ticket to Seattle (even on United!).

• Anchorage-Portland for $380 round trip, nonstop on Alaska Airlines. Can't beat nonstops.

• Anchorage-San Diego for $380 round trip on Delta. Take Delta's nonstop to Salt Lake City, then take a connecting flight to San Diego.

• Anchorage-Las Vegas for $396 round trip, nonstop on Alaska Airlines. The best-priced nonstops are on Sundays.

• Anchorage-San Francisco for $374 round trip on USAir, via Phoenix.

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For travel after May 15, the prices really take a dive, as new carriers enter the market:

• Anchorage-Reykjavik, Iceland for $587 round trip, nonstop on Icelandair. This price is valid for May departures. The first flight of the season on May 15 costs a little more: $602 round trip.

• Anchorage-Frankfurt, Germany for $895 round trip, nonstop on Condor. The best price I found is for the May 13 departure, returning on May 24.

• Anchorage-Seattle for $196 round trip. My head spins when I price this out. The best rates start May 15. United had the cheap rate for May 16 -- but everyone knows the reason it's so cheap is because of JetBlue. Other "legacy airlines" are terrified that JetBlue will establish a beachhead in Alaska. And the New York-based carrier appears to have done just that.

• Anchorage-Long Beach for $256 round trip, nonstop on JetBlue. This is another knee-slapper. Long Beach is much smaller than nearby LAX, making it a good option for Disneyland fans.

• Anchorage-Los Angeles/LAX for $278 round trip on USAir (via Phoenix). Alaska Airlines offers nonstop flights for as little as $297 round trip on select dates in June (June 9-18, for example).

• Anchorage-Las Vegas for $338 round trip on JetBlue (via Long Beach). Keep in mind Alaska's nonstop still is available on Sundays for $396 round trip.

Naturally, air fares change all the time. Earlier today, there was a "flash sale" on Delta's new flights between Juneau and Seattle. Both Alaska and Delta were offering great rates ($278 round trip from Juneau to San Francisco, for example). The fares are gone now -- but we'll be watching as Delta launches new service from both Fairbanks and Juneau to Seattle, which may spark additional fare cuts.

If you're looking forward to an active summer here in Alaska, plan to attend the Alaska Summer Showcase next Saturday, March 29 at the Alaska Native Heritage Center, an event I'm helping promote. Between noon and 5 p.m., travelers can visit with companies that provide great adventures around the state. More than $20,000 in free travel prizes will be awarded, including Alaska Airlines tickets, Alaska Railroad tickets and glacier cruises. Travelers could win fly-out adventures to Kennicott and Katmai -- or north to the Arctic Circle.

Expert presenters include travel writer Pam Mandel of Nerdseyeview.com on "Why travel matters" and photographer Rob Stapleton on how to take great photos using your phone or your point-and-shoot camera. Local author Erin Kirkland will address traveling throughout Alaska with children.

The event is a fundraiser for charity:water, which aims to build low tech water filtration projects throughout the world. although admission is free.

Show-only specials also will be available, in addition to a Food Truck Rodeo featuring some of Anchorage's best mobile kitchens, including Wheel Good Food and Tiers from Heaven.

Online resources:

JetBlue.com

Delta.com

AlaskaAir.com

USAirways.com

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Icelandair.com

Condor.com

United.com

AlaskaSummerShowcase.com

charity:water

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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