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As the summer travel season heats up, airfares from Anchorage to some destinations are dropping.
There are a number of reasons why fares may fall during the height of peak season, but there is one overriding consideration: competition. Fares will only fall in markets where multiple airlines serve the market.
Airfares change all the time. For example, last week there was a great deal between Anchorage and Seattle for just $128 one-way for travel through mid-September. That fare was set to expire on Friday, June 7. Will the sale be extended? Maybe not. It's worth checking Delta.com for updates.
Fares to certain parts of the US and Hawaii have been reduced but are subject to change at any time. Below are some of our favorite fares.
Anchorage to San Francisco. Alaska Airlines and United Airlines offer direct flights during the summer, but Alaska Airlines has the cheaper option, at $167 one-way from August 20 to September 30. A direct flight to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is much cheaper than flights to other Bay Area airports such as San Jose or Oakland.
Anchorage-Los Angeles (LAX). Again, nonstop flights are the cheapest. Alaska Airlines flies daily, with the cheapest flights being $177 one-way for travel between August 20 and November 18. Flights to suburban airports like Ontario, Burbank and Long Beach can cost more than $200 one-way.
Anchorage-Denver. Alaska Airlines and United Airlines both offer nonstop flights from Anchorage to the Mile High City. However, Alaska Airlines only operates nonstop flights through September 15. The cheapest flights ($187 one-way) are from August 20 to November 19. So, if you want to fly nonstop this fall, United is the way to go.
Anchorage-Dallas. American Airlines offers the only direct flight from Anchorage to Dallas. Fares are a bit on the high side. If you don't mind a layover, both United and Delta are offering fares as low as $418 round trip starting July 22. American's fares are higher at $480 round trip from August 19 to August 29, then they go up. Then they drop again to $480 round trip from October 2 to December 18.
American Airlines charges a much higher $350 for a one-way ticket from Anchorage to Dallas.
Anchorage-Minneapolis. Alaska Airlines, Delta and Sun Country all offer nonstop flights between Anchorage and Minneapolis. But Sun Country is cheaper every day because it has lower fares and charges extra for everything, including regular-size carry-on wheeled suitcases. One-way fares from Anchorage start at $177 from June 16 through Sept. 7. Sun Country round-trip flights are cheaper in the fall, at $121 one-way from Aug. 15 through Sept. 7, and $179 one-way before then. Delta and Alaska are at least $50 more expensive round-trip.
Anchorage to Chicago. United Airlines and Alaska Airlines offer nonstop flights from Anchorage to O'Hare International Airport. American Airlines also flies this route during the summer, but the fares are not competitive (i.e., more expensive). Both Alaska Airlines and United Airlines are offering one-way tickets for as low as $195 from June 27 through October 26.
Anchorage-Detroit. Delta Air Lines has lowered prices from Anchorage to Detroit to $199 one-way. Unfortunately, the discount doesn't apply to seasonal nonstop flights that end on September 8th. The following day, September 9th, is the first day the cheaper fare is available (via Seattle).
Anchorage-New York. There are two airlines that fly direct from Anchorage to New York: United Airlines to Newark and Alaska Airlines to JFK. There doesn't seem to be any price advantage to flying direct versus connecting. But I prefer the direct flight.
Alaska Airlines will charge fares from $275 to $289 one-way from June 20 to July 18. The nonstop flight will be Alaska Airlines' longest route.
United Airlines will operate nonstop flights from Anchorage to Newark from June 27 through August 29 for $285 one-way.
Anchorage-Copenhagen. Prices for fall travel to Europe are starting to drop. Round-trip fares on Delta Airlines between Anchorage and Copenhagen from Aug. 14 to Oct. 15 range from $491 to $531.
Anchorage to Dublin. From Oct. 16 through Dec. 18, United Airlines offers flights from Anchorage to Dublin for $490 to $516 round trip.
Anchorage-Frankfurt. Condor flies from Anchorage to Frankfurt three times a week. Economy class prices have dropped to $610-$670 round trip between now and July 2. Later in the summer, from July 30 to September 12, they're $600-$660 round trip. See premium economy class prices, too. From August 20 to 27, premium seats are $429-$479 one way.
Anchorage – Honolulu. To get a good deal, you might have to pay extra at an intermediate stop like Honolulu. From July 7 to November 18, Alaska Airlines has nonstop flights for just $187 one way.
Save money on your ticket to Australia by combining your ticket to Honolulu with another ticket.
Honolulu-Sydney/Melbourne. Jetstar flights from Honolulu to Melbourne or Sydney cost between $109 and $150 one way for travel between July 26 and September 23. This does not include Jetstar's various extras like baggage, meals or advance seat selection. Return seats to Hawaii start at $205 one way.
The advantage of traveling through Hawaii is that you can visit islands on your way across the Pacific Ocean, but the disadvantage is that you have to pay for accommodation during your layover. Unless you really want to visit Hawaii on your way there and back, all the money you saved may go to waste.
Remember: Most of the fares listed here are basic economy or saver tickets, which means you'll get a middle seat on the plane and fewer frequent flyer miles (or none at all), but as saver tickets drop in price, so will premium seats on the same flight.
Sources: AlaskaAir.com, Delta.com, United.com, Google's ITA Matrix site, Google Flights.
