Alaska News

The 'Battle for Seattle' yields airfare dividends beyond the Emerald City

There's quite a bit of buzz about Delta's buildup of its international hub in Seattle. Last year, new service from Seattle to Fairbanks and Juneau led to lower fares all summer long. This year, new Delta service from Seattle to Ketchikan and Sitka is resulting in low-low fares for summer travel.

Looking beyond Seattle, though, the fares are shaping up to be nice and low to key West Coast destinations as a result of the "Battle for Seattle." Right now, the best fares are for travel between May 15 and June 15. This will change, but if you're planning on traveling during that time, it's worthwhile to consider locking in these low rates.

In Anchorage, travelers are benefiting from Delta's competitive push on the Seattle routes, but there are more choices for carriers -- and the prices fall accordingly.

Anchorage-Seattle: Starting on May 15, JetBlue will offer nonstop flights for as little as $197 roundtrip between May 15 and June 3. Delta and Alaska are charging $249 roundtrip.

Anchorage-Portland: Beginning May 16, Delta is offering roundtrip tickets for $266 roundtrip, via Seattle. Starting June 20, JetBlue will offer nonstop flights to Portland for as little as $243 roundtrip.

Anchorage-Long Beach: Starting on May 15, JetBlue will offer nonstop flights to Long Beach for as little as $283 roundtrip.

Anchorage-Austin: Delta still has some seats available for as little as $404 roundtrip, departing on May 15 or May 28.

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Anchorage-Phoenix: USAir offers nonstops between Anchorage and Phoenix between May 14 and May 30 for $383 roundtrip.

Anchorage-Frankfurt: Condor offers nonstop flights from Anchorage, starting at $820 roundtrip for the first flight on May 12 (returning May 19).

Anchorage-Reykjavik, Iceland: Fly nonstop on Icelandair in May for as little as $719 roundtrip.

Fairbanks travelers are getting extraordinary rates to the Lower 48 as a result of Delta's new competitive flights to Seattle. But as these rates show, Seattle is just the start.

Fairbanks-Seattle: Both Delta and Alaska are offering nonstop flights between Fairbanks and Seattle, starting at $220 roundtrip. Right now, Alaska has more available dates, through June 8. But Delta has some different dates available -- and travelers always can mix and match, depending on which airline has the best one-way price.

Fairbanks-San Diego: Alaska has more dates available between May 15 and June 8 for $390 roundtrip. But Delta also has the rate, just not on as many dates.

Fairbanks-San Jose: Both Alaska and Delta offer a $352 roundtrip fare. Alaska has an even distribution of seats throughout late May, while Delta's best rates are concentrated in the first week of June.

Other good rates are available from Fairbanks to Portland, Sacramento, Boise and Spokane.

Between Ketchikan and Seattle: Both Alaska Airlines and Delta are offering $220 roundtrip fares between May 15 and June 10. After that, the fare drifts up to $250 roundtrip, which still is about half of what it cost last summer.

San Francisco: Alaska offers a $363 roundrip fare for most days between May 15 and June 10. Delta has pulled back and only offers a $374 roundtrip fare on a couple of dates in May and early June.

San Jose: Both Alaska and Delta are more generous with cheap seats between Ketchikan and San Jose. Alaska is charging $352 roundtrip. Delta charges $1 less. The best rates are between May 15 and June 10.

Portland. Alaska's price is better, at $354 roundtrip on any day between May 15 and June 10. Delta offers $368 roundtrip tickets on a few days in early June.

Sacramento: Alaska Air has more dates available from Ketchikan between May 15 and June 4, priced at $364 roundtrip. Delta offers rates between $363 roundtrip and $389 roundtrip in May and early June.

Spokane: Alaska is offering fares as low as $356 roundtrip for travel in the last half of May. Delta's fares start at $371 roundtrip and creep up to $386 roundtrip for travel in early June.

In addition to Ketchikan-Seattle, Sitka-Seattle is a new route for Delta. Since they announced the new service, fares have dropped precipitously. Here are some examples:

Sitka-Seattle: Delta has several dates in May for as little as $207.50 roundtrip. Every other day in May and early June is priced at $222.50 roundtrip.

Sitka-San Jose: The best rates on both Delta and Alaska start at $339 roundtrip for travel in late May. Other dates in May and early June range from $347 roundtrip to $370 roundtrip.

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Sitka-Boise: Delta offers $375 roundtrip fares in late May and early June. Alaska Airlines offers one date at that rate. Other dates on Alaska are $20-$40 higher (roundtrip).

Sitka-San Diego: Delta offers more dates than Alaska Airlines at the $377 roundtrip rate for travel between May 15 and June 10. It's important to note that fares change all the time. But all of the fares are much less now that Delta is competing with Alaska for the traffic.

Delta's flights from Juneau are starting on May 15. But the airline recently announced it now will serve the market year-round. During the summer, Delta will fly a 737, then Skywest will bring in a smaller jet to fly on Delta's behalf during the winter. That means lower fares year-round.

Juneau-Seattle: Both Alaska and Delta are offering $220 roundtrip on most days between May 15 and June 10.

Juneau-Portland: Alaska Airlines is offering $334 roundtrip, while Delta has a limited number of dates in early June at $319 roundtrip.

Juneau-San Jose: Alaska is offering a good selection of dates between May 15 and June 10 for $352 roundtrip. Delta only has a few dates during the first week of June for $351 roundtrip.

Juneau-Spokane: Alaska offers a rate of $369 roundtrip between May 15 and June 5, while Delta offers fewer dates at $371 roundtrip, mostly during the last week of May and the first week of June.

Remember: All air fares are subject to change. While the low fares listed are just for May and June, I expect the lower rates to be available all summer long. Also, when comparing Alaska Airlines and Delta, be sure and consider luggage fees. If you have the Delta American Express card, you can get one bag free. If you are a Club 49 member with Alaska Airlines, you get two bags free.

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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