Anchorage Daily News

Lately I've been playing hide-and-seek with a number of last-minute Internet specials on airfares.

It's only right: The first quarter of the year is when there is more room on the planes. The kids are in school and folks basically are hunkered down for the winter.

Here in our own backyard, there is a fun little war going on between Anchorage and Fairbanks. Right now, three airlines fly the route: Alaska Airlines, Era Aviation and Frontier Flying Service.

Alaska Airlines has seven jet flights per day. Era Aviation has three flights per day using its 38-passenger deHavilland Dash-8s. Frontier Flying Service operates two evening flights from Anchorage to Fairbanks using a 19-passenger Beechcraft 1900Cs. In-the-air time for all three is nearly identical.

Here's what's wonderful: Right now you can walk right up to the counter and get on board for about $80 each way. That's a great deal. No advance purchase is required.

Of course, it helps to plan ahead so you know which flights have the bargain seats available.

Frontier Flying Service is based in Fairbanks and has flown to Anchorage for several years. In addition to its Anchorage-Fairbanks flights, the airline flies to Aniak, Galena, Kaktovik and a host of other small Alaska communities. A recent merger with Hageland Aviation means there will be one-airline service to many more small communities, including St. Michael, St. Marys and Unalakleet.

Era Aviation started flying to Fairbanks in September with three daily flights. Apparently, the new service is being well received. Era plans to double its flights to six times daily on May 5. Oddly, Era does not award Alaska Airlines mileage points on the Anchorage-Fairbanks flights.

Points or no points, it appears the Anchorage-Fairbanks flights are some of the best bargains available within the state.

Other specials also are available between Anchorage and Bethel, where Era also started twice-daily service. There, the carrier competes with Alaska Airlines and Frontier Flying Service.

Right now, Alaska Airlines is offering a Web special for $318 round-trip for the last two weeks in March. Era is offering a round-trip fare of $189 for select dates between now and Friday.

As always, the Web fares change all the time -- and it's best to check directly with the airline's Web site or with a travel agent.

Between Anchorage and Seattle, Continental Airlines is pushing through to get some more local traffic. This weekend and last weekend, Continental has offered Web specials to Seattle for $232 round trip. That includes all the taxes and fees.

Continental has two flights each day: One leaves at midnight and the other leaves around 4:30 p.m. Of course, past performance is no guarantee of future results, but Continental offered these specials between Anchorage and Seattle last year on a regular basis. Typically, the specials would show up on the Web site late Monday or Tuesday.

United is back in town, flying its lone nonstop flight between Anchorage and Denver each evening. United is not my favorite airline this week: it recently announced plans to charge travelers $25 for their second piece of checked luggage. But it has a weekend special between Anchorage and Denver for $368 round trip. That's a pretty good deal. Outbound travel is available (in either direction) on Friday or March 1 only. Return travel is available on March 3 or 4 only.

Beginning in May, Frontier Airlines (not the same as the folks flying to Fairbanks) will resume its daily nonstop to Denver. Watch for some fireworks and additional fare sales at that point.

Scott McMurren is an Anchorage-based travel marketing consultant. E-mail him at zoom@toursaver.com.

Scott's tips

ALASKA AIRLINES: Check out "Jenn," the Web site's new virtual assistant. Pretty cool. You can see all the airline's Web specials online. www.alaskaair.com

ERA AVIATION: The carrier is consistently running Web specials to all its in-state destinations, including Fairbanks and Bethel. www.flyera.com

CONTINENTAL AIRLINES: With two daily flights to Seattle, it's worth checking late Monday or Tuesday to see if there's a Web special from Anchorage. www.continental.com

UNITED AIRLINES: Love it or loathe it, the carrier now flies nonstop from Anchorage to Denver. www.united.com

FRONTIER FLYING SERVICE: I've flown its B-1900C planes to Fairbanks. Quick and easy. www.frontierflying.com

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