There’s a lot of news for travelers this week. Some things haven’t changed much since last week. However, there are some bright spots as we head into spring and summer.
But first on the list is a thorough calculation of the 737 Max 9. Since last week, Alaska Airlines reports that 65 Max 9 planes have undergone preliminary inspections.But airlines are still waiting for more additions Instructions from the Federal Aviation Administration. Meanwhile, the Max 9 has no passengers on board.
The affected aircraft account for 20% of Alaska Airlines’ fleet, with changes and cancellations occurring daily. Alaska Airlines CEO Ben Minicucci said the airline is canceling between 110 and 150 flights a day. That means more than 15,000 travelers need to change their reservations every day.
At this point, Alaska Airlines is canceling flights and rebooking them to find space on other aircraft on a daily basis. If you’re planning a trip soon, be flexible and make sure you have travel insurance to cover canceled flights, hotels, rental cars, meals, and more. Alaska Airlines announced it would compensate travelers. However, you may feel more secure with travel insurance that covers rebooking, lost luggage, and incidental expenses. You can compare policies on sites such as: squaremouse.com and insurancemytrip.com.
There are currently some great fares to Europe from this month through April and May.
[Tips for navigating air travel after the grounding of 737 Max 9 planes snarls Alaska Airlines flights]
Flights between Anchorage and Barcelona range from $450 to $500 round trip on Delta or United Airlines. Travel between January 27th and May 10th. However, the lowest price may not be available on all dates. These are good fares, but basic economy. That means you’ll pay an additional $180 per person to get checked baggage and pre-assigned seats.
Flying from Anchorage to Madrid on Delta Airlines costs about the same at $450 to $500 round trip. Flights from January 27th to April 26th. Delta Airlines is also selling flights from Fairbanks to Madrid for $450 to $500 round trip, but only from April 1st to May 9th. Again, for an additional $180 round trip, you get a full SkyMiles credit, pre-assigned seats, and checked baggage.
Last week, flights between Anchorage and London were less than $600. However, just barely. It’s $599 round trip on Delta and Virgin Atlantic. Flights from January 28th to May 10th. Add $180 for the most basic extras (mileage credits, seat assignments, and one checked bag).
Delta Airlines offers flights from Anchorage to Lisbon for a slightly higher price of $609 round trip. This is also the base economy fare for travel through April 18th.
Other European destinations like Paris, Rome, Athens, and Amsterdam are all more expensive ($697 to $818 round trip). However, these prices will likely change.
To Australia, United and Delta offer round-trip fares from $819 to $842. Fly between February 17th and June 11th. You can receive checked baggage for free on the basic economy fare. On Delta, the only “perks” you get for paying $200 for a main cabin fare are a pre-assigned seat and a full SkyMiles credit.
If you want to fly from Anchorage to Auckland, New Zealand, you can fly right away with Delta Air Lines for $903 round trip. Flights through March 21st. Even if you purchase a basic economy ticket, your first checked bag is free. There is a $100 fee to get a pre-assigned seat and earn SkyMiles credits.
If you’re traveling to South America, the best value is flying from Anchorage to Bogotá, Colombia on American Airlines or United Airlines for $438 round trip. American Airlines’ fares vary from day to day, but you can purchase a round-trip ticket for between $438 and $500 for travel from March 19 to May 2. Basic and main fares are $90 round trip on American Airlines and $110 round trip on American Airlines. For United Airlines, ask about checked baggage and seat selection.
Lower 48 ticket prices have increased since Christmas and have increased again since Max 9 sales were discontinued. But there are a few destinations that stand out. Round-trip fares between Anchorage and Raleigh-Durham will be $374 from April 8th through May 1st. Fly with Delta Air Lines or American Airlines (Basic Economy).
You can fly from Anchorage to Cleveland, Ohio for just $353 to $399 round trip on United Airlines, Alaska Airlines, or Delta Air Lines. Shipping companies and prices vary daily. Flight dates are February 2nd to 12th, February 24th to March 5th, and March 19th to April 3rd. These rates are Basic Economy rates.
Airfares are subject to change without notice and are subject to change at any time.
The summer travel season brings great options for Alaskans who love nonstop flights.
Delta Air Lines offers nonstop flights between Anchorage and Minneapolis year-round. Daily direct flights will begin on March 10th. Sun Country Airlines will begin operations on May 18th, and daily flights will begin on June 12th. Alaska Airlines will begin daily nonstop flights between Anchorage and Minneapolis on May 16th.
Nonstop flights between Chicago and Anchorage will resume on March 15 when Alaska Airlines begins weekend service. Daily operations will begin on April 8th. United Airlines will resume daily flights on his April 8th. American Airlines will resume daily service between Chicago and Anchorage on May 6th.
New this year: Delta Air Lines is resuming nonstop service between Anchorage and Detroit after a long hiatus. Starting Sunday, June 9, the airline will operate this route three times a week (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday).
A new service this year will be operated by Alaska Airlines between Anchorage and New York/JFK. This non-stop flight will be his longest in Alaska at 7 hours. It starts on Thursday, June 13th.
United Airlines has announced a new nonstop destination between Anchorage and Washington, DC/Dulles. This will also be a 7-hour flight, with one flight per day starting May 23rd (Thursday).
United Airlines won the award for having the most nonstop flights during the summer season, in addition to its daily nonstop service between Anchorage and Denver year-round.
United Airlines’ daily service from Anchorage to New York/Newark begins Thursday, May 23.
United Airlines’ daily service between Anchorage and Houston begins Thursday, May 23.
United Airlines’ daily service from Anchorage to San Francisco begins Thursday, May 23.
Alaska Airlines will also increase daily flights between Anchorage and San Francisco one week early, on Thursday, May 16th.
Delta Air Lines will resume nonstop service between Anchorage and Atlanta on Thursday, May 23rd.
Delta Air Lines will also resume nonstop service between Anchorage and Salt Lake City, with daily service starting Friday, June 7th. Previously, Alaska Airlines will begin daily service between Anchorage and Salt Lake City on Thursday, May 16th.
American Airlines launched nonstop flights between Anchorage and Dallas earlier this year, and will offer daily service starting Sunday, March 10th.
Alaska Airlines will continue nonstop service between Anchorage and Las Vegas twice a week (Fridays and Sundays).
New this year: Alaska Airlines begins weekly nonstop flights (Saturdays) between Anchorage and San Diego.
Alaska Airlines continues to offer daily nonstop flights between Anchorage and Honolulu, Los Angeles, Portland, and Seattle.
Delta Air Lines also continues to fly nonstop between Anchorage and Seattle.
Delta Air Lines will resume daily service between Fairbanks and Minneapolis on Friday, June 7th. Delta Air Lines and Alaska Airlines also offer daily service between Fairbanks and Seattle.
United Airlines recently announced that it will resume daily nonstop flights between Fairbanks and Denver starting Thursday, May 23rd.
Condor will operate a new aircraft, the A330-900neo, between Anchorage and Frankfurt on nonstop summer flights. Flights will begin on Saturday, May 18th with two flights per week, increasing to three flights per week (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday) on June 11th.
Discover Airlines (formerly known as Eurowings Discover) will operate direct flights to Frankfurt twice a week on Tuesdays and Saturdays starting June 8th.
Air Canada will resume daily service between Anchorage and Vancouver, British Columbia on Thursday, May 14th.
Alaska Airlines and its sister airline Horizon Airlines operate all jet flights within the state. Anchorage offers nonstop flights to Kodiak, King Salmon, Dillingham, Adak, Nome, Kotzebue, Fairbanks, Cordova, Juneau, Prudhoe Bay, and Uchagvik.
We take for granted the strong flight schedules from Alaska’s major airports in Anchorage and Fairbanks. But the Max 9 crisis brings clarity to those timelines and reminds us that safety must be a top priority.