Airfares are always changing, particularly on hotly contested routes. For Alaska travelers, that means flights headed south to Seattle, Portland, Los Angeles and a few other popular destinations.
Most of April's travel deals have come and gone. But there still are a couple of deals on Alaska Airlines for travel in the middle of the month:
- Anchorage-Los Angeles/LAX nonstop for $319 roundtrip for travel April 8-25 (purchase by March 30)
- Anchorage-Phoenix nonstop for $383 roundtrip for travel April 10-May 4 (purchase by March 30)
USAir also offers a nonstop from Anchorage to Phoenix and if you hunt around, you can find it for as little as $377 roundtrip during the same period. USAir is owned by American Airlines. Accordingly, you may see the flight listed as an American flight -- but right now only USAir is flying the route.
Mid-May is when prices drop and service increases. That's due to the dogfight between Delta and Alaska Airlines. JetBlue also plays an outsized role in the battle, even though they only have two or three flights per day from Anchorage. Pro tip: Since Delta announced their increased flight schedule for cities outside Anchorage, the fares have dipped to low levels. Occasionally they would drift back up. They're low now -- so hit the "buy now" button. Don't wait for them to go lower, unless you are feeling really lucky. Every time I try and wait for just the right time, the seats I want are gone.
The flights to Seattle from Alaska cities are priced at all-time low levels:
- Fairbanks-Seattle nonstop on either Delta or Alaska: $250 roundtrip, starting May 31
- Juneau-Seattle nonstop on either Delta or Alaska: $220 roundtrip, starting May 16
- Sitka-Seattle nonstop on Delta: $208 roundtrip starting May 15. Alaska Airlines will resume its seasonal nonstop between Seattle and Sitka on May 27, offering a $208 roundtrip fare.
- Ketchikan-Seattle nonstop on either Delta or Alaska: $220 roundtrip starting May 16
Delta is moving in -- not just with prices. The airline also making a play for travelers to get on a fast track to elite status with the SkyMiles program. Sign up for the program and you could get "Silver" status with just two flights or "Gold" with six flights. The status moves you closer to the top of the upgrade list for Delta flights. The promotion also allows for extra bonus miles.
Between Anchorage and Seattle, JetBlue continues to be the low-fare leader, at $197 roundtrip for flights starting May 16. Both Alaska and Delta are charging more, starting at around $250 roundtrip. Of course, that's still a great price, but $197 roundtrip is a truly epic fare.
In fact, JetBlue also is offering the $197 roundtrip fare on its new Anchorage-Portland nonstop starting June 19. Keep in mind that the JetBlue staff works the night shift. Like most of the flights that depart Anchorage, the JetBlue flights depart around midnight. For the Portland flight, that means you'll be getting in bright and early at 4:34 a.m.
Although JetBlue offers a few flights from Los Angeles/LAX, the vast majority of its flights to Southern California are to Long Beach. The Anchorage-Long Beach nonstop is priced to sell this summer: as low as $263 roundtrip, starting May 21.
JetBlue offers several other great destinations at bargain prices, including:
- Anchorage-Salt Lake City for $318 roundtrip starting May 18 (via Long Beach)
- Anchorage-Las Vegas for $318 roundtrip starting May 18 (via Long Beach)
- Anchorage-San Francisco for $375 roundtrip starting May 24 (via Long Beach)
Right now the best prices are for travel in May and early June. But you may find great prices for later in the summer as well. And if you find rates close to these early-season deals, buy them. You may pay a small premium for buying them a little early -- but you'll also have a better selection of flights and seats.
Airfares from Anchorage to the Midwest and to the East Coast go up and down all the time. Right now, they're trending higher. I expect them to come down. But when they do, be prepared to pounce.
Are there bargains for flights within Alaska? Sometimes. Right now, Alaska Airlines is offering a $112 one-way fare from Anchorage to Kodiak. On the carrier's weekly Club 49 fare sales (published on Tuesdays for purchase by Thursday), there typically are a couple of in-state destinations.
Speaking of in-state bargains, here's a last-minute reminder: The Alaska Summer Showcase is Saturday, March 28, at the Alaska Native Heritage Center from noon to 5 p.m. (Disclosure: I am the host and the event organizer.) I invited presenters from all over to show off what's in store for Alaskans who want to explore their own state. All of them are giving away travel prizes and providing on-the-spot information. Some will offer show-only specials. Make-a-Wish will be there so travelers can donate Alaska Airlines miles. For a complete list of travel prizes (valued at more than $20,000) and presenters, plus more information, visit alaskasummershowcase.com.
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.