Even though it's only January, airlines are gearing up for the busy summer Alaska travel season. That means more flights, more airlines, more competition and lower fares.
None of the new flights is an in-state route. Rather, all of the competitive action is for flights to and from the Lower 48. There's also a smattering of international flights to Europe, China and Russia. The big changes are with JetBlue, Delta and Alaska Airlines. Still, it's good to review who flies where.
American Airlines, through its US Airways subsidiary, offers year-round flights between Anchorage and Phoenix. On June 4, the airline revives its daily Anchorage-Dallas nonstop. Between now and then, use US Airways' nonstop flight to Phoenix to connect to other destinations for some great deals, including Anchorage-Phoenix-Long Beach for $352 round-trip.
Air Canada offers a seasonal nonstop from Anchorage to Vancouver, British Columbia. It's a sweet schedule, leaving at 4:45 p.m. But the fare leaves a bad taste in my mouth: $663 round-trip.
Condor resumes its seasonal Anchorage-Frankfurt nonstop flights on May 12, with prices in the $1,000 round-trip range. On select flights, I've found fares just under $800, but that's rare.
Icelandair is returning for its third year, offering twice-weekly nonstop flights between Anchorage and Reykjavik, starting May 14. Fares are available for as little as $666 round-trip.
You may never have heard of Sun Country Airlines. They fly under the radar between Anchorage and Delta's fortress hub in Minneapolis. Starting May 23, they operate a 737 each day, although the fares are not that different from those offered by Delta. And Delta has three or four flights a day. The rates start around $650 round-trip.
For the last few years, you could fly nonstop to Chicago from Anchorage year-round. That's not the case anymore. Both Alaska and United have cut the service in the dead of winter. Alaska brings back the nonstop on March 8. United ramps up a little earlier, on Mar 5. I don't like the rates right now (about $683 round-trip). Let's wait for them to drop a bit.
United also offers really expensive flights from Anchorage to Denver each day. That's what "fortress hubs" are for. First, you squeeze out the competition (like Frontier Airlines). Then you raise the price. United also will renew its seasonal nonstop to San Francisco, starting on May 6. Right now, the best rates to San Francisco are in May, via Long Beach on JetBlue. On May 16, for example, United wants $816 round-trip between Anchorage and San Francisco. On the same dates, JetBlue wants $360 round-trip, via Long Beach. Go ahead -- pick one.
Delta is going crazy in Alaska this summer. In addition to its seasonal Anchorage-Salt Lake nonstop (starts May 23), the airline will resume its daily nonstop from Anchorage to Atlanta on May 22. There's also the Fairbanks-Minneapolis nonstop, which starts on May 13. Delta flies year-round between Anchorage and Minneapolis.
If you want a great rate to Seattle from Ketchikan, Juneau or Fairbanks, fly on Delta for $250 round-trip starting on May 16. Actually, the cheap rates from Fairbanks to Seattle and from Juneau to Seattle start on May 29, but the $250 round-trip rates are available right away on the airline's new flights from Sitka and Ketchikan. In fact, the flights from Sitka to Seattle are priced a little cheaper -- $238 round-trip.
Delta's Seattle-Anchorage flights are increasing, too. At the peak of the season, Delta will offer six flights per day. Compare that with 22 flights per day on Alaska Airlines.
And JetBlue will have just one flight from Anchorage to Seattle, starting May 15. But it's that midnight flight that sets the price to Seattle: $197 round-trip. Both Delta and Alaska are offering rates in that range.
JetBlue also ramps up its daily Anchorage-Long Beach nonstop on May 15, with prices as low as $273 round-trip. Accordingly, prices to many Los Angeles-area airports will be cheap all summer long.
JetBlue recently announced seasonal Anchorage-Portland flights starting June 18. Those rates start at around $242 round-trip.
Because new airlines are coming in with new flights, Alaska Airlines is responding with some great deals for travelers. Watch for bargains to Seattle and the LA area all summer long. Of course, Alaska Airlines has the most flights, with nonstops to Hawaii, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Seattle, Portland and Chicago. From Fairbanks, Alaska offers nonstops to both Seattle and Portland. From Seattle, Alaska has added many new flights, including service to Cancun, Milwaukee, Oklahoma City, Tampa, New Orleans, Baltimore and a host of other popular destinations. The battle for Alaska travelers clearly is Alaska Airlines' battle to lose!
On the international front, we're still waiting for more information on fares to and from Russia with Yakutia Air's flights that start July 11. Also, Dynamic Air is hoping to convert its weekly charter flight to scheduled flights in the spring. That will allow them to sell flights on the weekly service between Anchorage and Changsha, China.
Keeping tabs on the schedules of airlines is just one element to uncovering today's travel secrets. Then there's the pricing, the frequent flyer plan (if any) and what to do once you get to your destination. I hosted a "Travel Secrets Revealed" seminar in November that sold out very quickly. Accordingly, I've scheduled a "Travel Secrets Revealed -- the Sequel" event on Thursday, Feb. 5. At this evening event (6-8:30 p.m.) travel secrets are at the top of the agenda. How do you get the best deals? When will bargain airfares appear and how long will they last? Which credit cards yield the best rewards? Is travel insurance worth it? Learn more here: alaskatravelgram.com
Tickets are $15, which includes more pizza, a presentation, some Alaska beer and great travel prizes. The event will be held at the Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum to accommodate more people and offer free parking. Tickets and more information is available online at Eventbrite. (All tickets will be sold in advance online; none will be available at the door.) It will be a great chance for travelers to come together and share some tips and tricks.
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. You can follow him on Twitter (@alaskatravelGRM) and alaskatravelgram.com. For more information, visit alaskatravelgram.com/about.