It's official: summer's over. Walk through the airport and you'll see lots of folks headed south for the winter. It's a natural migration from hats and gloves to sun, sand and warm weather.
While we've examined the rates and deals between Alaska and the Lower 48, it's time to take a look beyond our own borders. It's a big world out there -- and planes fly back and forth each day!
It's harder to drill down on the best deals overseas. One look at the fares and you'll understand why many travel experts revert to frequent flyer miles for international travel. That's especially true if you want the slightest chance at an upgrade to business class or first class.
Here are some of the best international deals for the coming months that bubbled to the top of the pot this week. Like all other fares, they are subject to change without notice.
Anchorage-Istanbul This is a sweet deal on Air France and Delta. Fly through Paris. I booked a ticket on Jan. 11, 2012, returning on Jan. 31, 2012. The total cost? $876 roundtrip all in.
Anchorage-Honduras Forget the big city airport at Tegucigalpa. Fly into San Pedro Sula, the second-largest city, closer to the Gulf Coast. Continental offers a good fare of $711 roundtrip, all in, Nov. 9-16, 2011. Other nearby Central American deals: Anchorage-San Salvador, $741 roundtrip all in on Continental and Anchorage-Belize for $731 roundtrip all in (also on Continental).
Anchorage-Cairo Wow. Africa's largest city. There's traffic with a capital "T". But what a city. I've got friends there. Pyramids. Museums. It's Egypt, for goodness' sake! Fly Delta and KLM Nov. 6-16, 2011 for as little as $1,226 roundtrip all in.
Anchorage-South Africa This is a long flight -- more than 12,000 miles. KLM, in conjunction with Delta Air Lines, offers the best fares. Between Anchorage and Cape Town, the fare is $1,520 roundtrip all in. Fly to Johannesburg for a little more: $1,654 roundtrip all in. Be prepared for an overnight layover in Amsterdam. Frankly, I'd welcome the break, since it's back-to-back overnight flights.
Anchorage-Buenos Aires Another long-haul segment. Continental has the best rate right now at $1,566 roundtrip all in, between Feb. 2 and Feb. 23, 2012
For international travelers who plan ahead, German airline Condor is selling seats from Anchorage to Frankfurt starting May 1, 2012. The least-expensive tickets are $948 roundtrip all in. I expect to see some discounts between now and May, though. The real value, though, is in business class. For $1,368, you can fly roundtrip up front. Just for fun, price out what it costs on Delta or Continental to fly business class from Anchorage to Frankfurt.
I have a long list of international destinations to visit, including Jakarta, Banjul (Gambia), Casablanca (Morocco) and Tromso, Norway (one of Anchorage's sister cities!).
Because of all the taxes, add-ons and surcharges, it's tough to drill down and get the true price of many destinations without plugging in the exact dates -- then you may miss the best deals by a day or two. Accordingly, it's an uphill battle to stay ahead of the best international air fare bargains.
In addition to websites like Farecompare.com and Hipmunk.com, your travel agent may have some "unpublished" air fare deals. With prices like this, it's worth checking!
Scott McMurren is an Anchorage-based travel marketing consultant who has lived in Alaska for three decades, spending much of that time traveling the far-flung corners of the state. Visit his website at www.alaskatravelgram.com.