JetBlue Airways announced new seasonal service between Anchorage and Portland, starting June 18. The Anchorage-Portland flight will operate daily through Sept. 8, 2015.
The Anchorage-Portland nonstop marks the third city the New York-based carrier will serve on a seasonal basis. JetBlue starts its summer-only service from Anchorage to Seattle and from Anchorage to Long Beach on May 16. These flights also will operate until Sept. 8.
The airline is offering introductory fares of $99 each way between Anchorage and Portland for travelers who purchase their tickets by Tuesday, Jan. 13. Anchorage-Long Beach also is on sale for $128 each way (nonstop) and Anchorage-Seattle for $97 each way.
Like the Anchorage-Seattle and Anchorage-Long Beach flights, the Anchorage-Portland flight will be a late-night "red-eye," departing at 11:59 p.m. and arriving in Portland bright and early at 4:35 a.m. The northbound flight from Portland departs at 8:49 p.m. each day, arriving in Anchorage at 11:29 p.m.
In a competitive move, Alaska Airlines dropped its one-way fare from Anchorage to Portland from $170 each way to $118 each way. On the return segment (Portland-Anchorage), only one date (June 28) was available at the lower rate. During the summer, Alaska operates three nonstops each day between Anchorage and Portland.
JetBlue will operate an Airbus 320 on the route, configured for 150 passengers. Although the airline does not offer first class on its planes, there are seven rows with extra legroom. JetBlue charges a premium for these seats, called "Even More Space."