Information | alaska.com

Home » Information

Anchorage's new airlines will help cut summer airfares

More on Information

Anchorage

Anchorage is Alaska's largest city and the gateway to a state full of adventure.

Kenai Peninsula

More Alaska cities and towns

On and off the road system, Alaska is dotted with cities, towns and villages that give the state its real character.

Population of all Alaska cities

Early-riser hooks late Ship Creek derby winner

Luck struck around 6:30 a.m. Sunday -- less than nine hours before the end of the 10-day Slam'n Salm'n derby -- when Robert Hayes hooked a 40.97-pound king salmon that made him the winner.

Ice fishing in June?

Summer solstice marked the beginning of the warm season last week, but two Anchorage fly-fishermen discovered Monday morning that winter still lingers deep in the Chugach Mountains.

Dipping for red gold

Caribou slaighter near Point Hope leaves calves stranded

Back on his home turf

Catching every drop

Alaska fishing licenses

Fishing in Alaska's regions

Halibut and more

River rafting in Alaska

Hunting in Alaska

King salmon (chinook)

Hiking and climbing

Fairbanks -- Golden Heart of Interior Alaska

Kayaking: Wonderful water

Anchorage is on pace for record bear kills

Metro attractions: Parks, animals and blooms get attention in Anchorage

Guide Advertiser Index

Destination: Denali

Denali Park

Other Southeast gems worth seeing

24/48: Homer

24/48: Seward

What to know about the Denali Highway

Denali: Getting there

Parks and playgrounds in Anchorage

What locals say about Flattop

Anchorage: Don't miss the museum, market, music and parks

No matter the weather, Southeast is beautiful

Soldotna's many riverfront parks give it personality

Majestic Mat-Su: Glaciers, mountains, rivers and history give Valley life

One day out: Short trips away from Anchorage are full of adventure

Kenai Peninsula: Wildlife, fishing, glaciers and fun-filled days

Natural beauty: Kachemak Bay provides a stunning backdrop for Homer

The Great One: Postcard-perfect world and Mount McKinley await

Kodiak: Festivals, museums and lots of fun on the Emerald Isle

Vibrant Valdez: Natural and man-made attractions make community thrive

Highway to history: Road from Paxson to Cantwell is rough but worth the drive

Valdez: A bright spot

Bigger than bears

Cooper Landing: Small town, big fun

Southeast Alaska: Big adventure

Soldotna: A river town

ref

A quick driving lesson can help visitors

Summer daylight means pleasant temperatures

You're here, learn to speak 'Alaskan'

Welcome: If you live here -- or are just visiting -- you're lucky

Catch the wave, but stay away from the mud flats

A good day of sightseeing at Kenai Fjords National Park

If you go flightseeing

Get dirty: Off-road bike riding spots

First Friday art walk

Talkeetna time: Life in the small community moves at a different pace

Fun for everyone: Icebergs, wildlife and gold-panning will keep kids smiling

Turnagain Arm: Enjoy the outdoors, history in Girdwood, Portage, Hope

Mountains, glaciers, parkland define the biggest state

If you go roadside fishing

Kenai, Russian rivers are just the beginning for anglers

Fish and bears: Kodiak's bruins get so big because of all the salmon

Angling paradise: Seward has a line on halibut and salmon fishing

Fishing fever: Early-season anglers converge on the lower Kenai Peninsula

Fishing for fun: Kachemak Bay's waters are full of halibut and salmon

Valley waters: Anglers discover outstanding fishing just outside Anchorage

Mat-Su area: Museums, mine, State Fair and animals draw visitors

Gateways to Chugach State Park

Alaska culture: Where and when?

An explosive past

Water wonderland: Whittier is the place for fishing, cruising or kayaking

Seward's surroundings leave visitors gasping for breath

Bear essentials: Planned encounters with fishing grizzlies is a highlight

Copper Valley: History and wilderness join forces at Wrangell-St. Elias

Fairbanks: Enjoy nearly endless daylight, Gold Rush history

Gifts galore: From downtown markets to art galleries, options abound

Celebrations: Music and food are summer festival highlights

Flightseeing helps visitors grasp Alaska's immensity

Golden destination: Hikers and history buffs all enjoy Hatcher Pass

Heaven on wheels: Trails across Anchorage, through wilderness keep cyclists moving

Wilderness wonder: Chugach State Park, city parks full of excitement

A touch of history: Old Town Kenai should be on the itinerary for visitors

Chefs turn the bounty of the sea into something beautiful

Wild water: A trip down an Alaska river will leave rafters cheering

Lake Clark National Park's scenery and remoteness impress

Small but scenic: History, location combine to make Cooper Landing special

Sea kayaks give paddlers a different lifestyle

Denali Park: Ride horses, fly or raft in shadow of Mount McKinley

Cozy cabins: Public-use facilities aren't fancy but they're fun

Valdez: From the Gold Rush to glaciers, Sound community has it all

Eagle River: Hiking, history and festivals keep visitors busy

Anchorage is blessed with plenty of spots to drink or dance

Stepping into history: From the airport to museums, Alaska shows off unique past

Peninsula hamlets: From Hope to Anchor Point, small towns are worth a stop

Fairbanks: Gold Rush history, weather extremes are part of the culture

Lure of history

Hatcher Pass, mine area rich in history, outdoor activities

Embrace the light

Denali: Bus goes only so far

Talkeetna: Mountain majesty

Wrangell-St. Elias: Wilderness wonder

UAF tours

Southeast Alaska: Off-the-roadway fishing at its finest

DENALI: Bus tours, flightseeing and rafting in McKinley's shadow

Cabin Comfort

Kasilof River gets overshadowed by bigger Kenai

Mat-Su magic

In summer, quirky Talkeetna keeps busy with visitors

Southeast has everything one would hope to find in Alaska

Explore Soldotna

Whittier is the place for glacier cruises, fishing, kayaking

'Little Switzerland' an eye-catching glimpse of Alaska

Kenai Fjords National Park makes Seward a must-see spot

Wrangell-St. Elias offers millions of acres, few visitors

Art and birding also make the town of Kenai a good catch

Bore tide an exciting sight on Turnagain Arm

Splendid Seward

Homer: Beautiful bay

Cordova: No road, no problem

Hatcher Pass, mine area rich in history, outdoor activities

Mat-Su area

Girdwood is a great starting point for time away from town

Kodiak: Emerald Isle offers up festivals, museums and fun

Alaska: Infinite adventure

Summer light brings pleasant temperatures

Dining delights

Anglers' Shangri-La

Metropolitan Anchorage

EAGLE RIVER: Hiking, history and Highland Games keep visitors busy

DOWNTOWN ANCHORAGE: Don't miss the parks, museums, flowers and history

KODIAK: Enjoy the Emerald Isle's festivals, fish and museums

Alaska Souvenires: Good memories

Metropolitan Anchorage

Downtown Anchorage

Flight seeing: View from above

Bore tide: Timing is everything to catch unusual wave

Budget some fun

Whittier: Sound springboard

Remember Alaska: Think 'art,' not 'souvenir,' when collecting memories of travels

METRO Anchorage: Give attention to animals, parks, planes and blooms

MAT-SU: State Fair, Alaska animals, mine, museums are highlights

GPS users, golfers, runners and disc golfers enjoy outdoors

Water, wild or calm: Trips range from multiday thrills to a lovely, serene afternoon

VALDEZ: Sound town's highlights include Gold Rush and glaciers

TURNAGAIN ARM: Girdwood, Portage and Hope offer outdoor adventures

KENAI PENINSULA: Parks, wildlife, glaciers and fishing fill up the days

Tired of the same-old trips? Try out these adventures

Current and former mushers offer tours of their kennels

Alaska children share their favorite things to do around here

Flightseeing trips open up Alaska's roadless wonders

FAIRBANKS: Midnight sun, Gold Rush history are Interior highlights

Two-wheel wonders

Kachemak Bay provides a perfect backdrop for Homer

Hatcher Pass is rich in history, outdoor activities

Fairbanks in the summertime is an explosion of activity

Kodiak stays wild

Mount McKinley and wildlife attract visitors to Denali

Alaska's Denali visitor center a showcase of green technologies

Cordova's off-the-road location gives it 'Alaska' feel

The water's fine and so is the view in Cooper Landing

The bear facts

Speak 'Alaskan'

Summer light brings pleasant temperatures

Whether it's mountains or fish, bigger is the way in Alaska

Floater's paradise: 'Belly boats' allow anglers an intimate fishing experience

Hooking a halibut : Experienced charter captains make the search successful

Prime Valley fishing makes the trip worthwhile

Silvers in season

Kenai River attracts anglers from around the world

Salmon and clams add to the fun on Kachemak Bay

Urban encounters: Finding wildlife in town not hard if you know where to go

Fun for free: There's lots to see and do that won't involve your wallet

Hit the trails: Whether hiking or biking, Anchorage has plenty to offer

Catch local musicians and Outside acts at Anchorage hot spots

Dining: Seafood dominates the menu at local restaurants

Do it in a day

Culture: Drumbeat of Native dancers can be highlight of a summer visit

Festivals: Summer festivals focus on fish, music and fun

BIKING: Pedaling paradise

SHOPPING: Savvy souvenirs

HIKING: Hiking heaven

DOWNTOWN ANCHORAGE: Parks, museums, flowers and history fascinate

DAY TRIPS: Adventure awaits a short drive outside Anchorage

DINING OUT: A taste of place

FESTIVALS: Music, food and airplanes are summer festival highlights

NIGHTLIFE: Bar basics

DOWNTOWN ANCHORAGE: Parks, museums, flowers and history fascinate

METRO ANCHORAGE: Animals, parks, planes and blooms are worth attention

Mat-Su, Kenai Peninsula, Prince William Sound, Copper River accommodations

Inside Passage lodging: Juneau, Ketchikan and more

Western Alaska lodging: Kodiak, Nome, Bethel and more

Northern Alaska lodging: Barrow and Kotzebue

Interior lodging and restaurants: Fairbanks, Denali and more

Anchorage-area hotels, B&Bs, hostels, lodges and resorts

Special-interest travel

Ferry times to Alaska

Flight time to Anchorage

Getting to Alaska

Maps of Alaska

Rental cars in Alaska

Highways: The way to really see Alaska

Getting around in Alaska

Alaska FAQs

Find a less pricey room with a view

Activities on a budget

Cut dining costs

Cut transportation costs for big savings

Beat the high cost of an Alaska vacation

Livengood, Alaska

By Scott McMurren / Anchorage Daily News

Spring specials on air fares have come and gone. The next round of airfare cuts will apply to the prime travel season during the summer.

Anchorage travelers may see at least one or two good sales, as the next group of airlines ramp up service between Anchorage and their hubs in the Lower 48.

Be prepared for these sales. All the new airlines -- Frontier, America West, American Airlines, Air Canada, Condor and Sun Country -- will be jockeying for position during the busiest travel months of the year.

In the face of this new competition, our incumbent airlines -- Delta, Continental, United and Alaska -- will be adding flights and doing their best to stay competitive.

Here are some of the battlegrounds to watch:

1. Seattle

Continental Airlines still is offering a great fare of $185 roundtrip all summer long. It used to be $180 roundtrip, but Continental snuck in a "fuel surcharge" boosting the base fare up by $5. Alaska Airlines and United Airlines are offering a similar fare for travel through May 27. But Continental, with two flights each day, may force Alaska Airlines to match the fare through the summer. That is a good thing.

2. Denver

The Mile High City is the home port for Frontier Airlines. But right after Frontier announced its plans to serve Anchorage, Alaska filed its own plan for nonstop service between the two cities. Add to this United's own year-round service and you have a recipe for depressed yields. Oops. That's "airline-speak" for low fares. Interestingly, it's America West that has today's lowest rate, just $305 roundtrip. Watch for bargain rates all summer long, since at least five airlines will be playing give-and-take this season.

3. Minneapolis

Finally, Sun Country Airlines is offering some good rates on their twice-weekly flights beginning in May. The rates aren't that great: $460 roundtrip through June 28. But at least it's a start. Sun Country is a little gun-shy, since they were shut out of the market several years ago when Northwest Airlines decided to play hardball. As it is, Northwest has up to five flights each day during the summer. But Frontier and America West also will be offering flights into the Twin Cities, so there is a good chance more discounted rates will be available this summer.

4. Chicago

American, United and Alaska will be offering nonstop service this summer from Chicago to Anchorage. In the past, American has done little or nothing to market to local travelers. But United and Alaska are eager to attract more travelers. Right now, it's America West that has the lowest fare, at $424 roundtrip.

5. Los Angeles

Watch the fares to L.A. for bargains. Aside from Seattle, this is a hot market for airlines flying out of Anchorage. Right now, the fares are high, but watch what happens when Frontier spools up service on May 9. Chances are there will be some fare-related fireworks, as well as just before America West's flights begin on June 2.

6. Phoenix

Occasionally we'll see some great fares into Arizona, but chances are we'll see more after America West starts flying. Right now the fares are too high. It's time to sit back and wait for the prices to come down.

7. Vancouver, British Columbia

Alaska and Air Canada will resume their nonstop service this summer. Last year, the rates to Vancouver were significantly less than those to Seattle. Watch for introductory specials as the launch date gets closer.

8. San Francisco

Delta is sneaking into the market with a $341 roundtrip fare. Even though you have to fly through Salt Lake City to get there, it may be worthwhile to save a few bucks. That's especially true if you're traveling with the family. United is launching their nonstop service in early June from Anchorage. Keep a keen eye on these flights during June for some price cuts!

Changes in restrictions

In addition to all the cities that are on sale, many of the traditional restrictions are falling by the wayside as well. That is good news for travelers. For example, most of Frontier's fares are one-way. That means there is no "minimum stay" required.

America West also is offering one-way rates in many markets. And Alaska Airlines ditched the traditional Saturday-night-stay rule for a one-night minimum stay. Advance-purchase rules still are common. But "fare sale" prices typically have just a 14-day advance purchase. Most of Alaska Airlines' lowest prices now mandate a 21-day advance purchase.

It's worthwhile to check with your agent or shop around online. While the lowest fare may indeed be a 21-day advance purchase, you might be able to get a great fare for just a few bucks more with only a three-day advance purchase. That's the case to Seattle, where the $185 roundtrip mandates a 21-day advance purchase. But you can get a $286 roundtrip fare from local travel agents with a three-day advance. It pays to check around!

(Scott McMurren is an Anchorage-based travel marketing consultant.)

Alaska.com: Alaska's Travel Website