Alaska Dispatch

Usually, Anchorage gets the best air fare deals in the state. Why? Simple: competitive pressures force airlines to woo travelers on several fronts: flight frequency, service and price.

So, when Frontier Airlines decided to begin service from Fairbanks to its hub in Denver on May 12, 2010, there was a flurry of activity. The result? Significantly lower prices for summertime travel.

Frontier Airlines is not part of Frontier Flying Service, which is based in Fairbanks. In fact, Frontier Flying Service is changing its name to Era Alaska, following the merger of those two companies last year.

From Fairbanks to Denver, you can fly for as little as $375 roundtrip this summer. That's less than half what Alaska Airlines was charging before the announcement. In fact, Alaska matched Frontier's fares on each of the four days of the week that Frontier is operating the flight. But on the other days (Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday), Alaska is charging $799 roundtrip. And that includes a stop in Seattle or Anchorage.

Smart travelers realize that a cheap trip to Denver can make travel throughout the region more affordable. In fact, the "Frontier effect" in Fairbanks is chopping hundreds of dollars off travel to popular destinations like Albuquerque, Las Vegas, Salt Lake City and Omaha.

Delta even has filed low fares which are available immediately for travel to Fairbanks from several destinations, such as San Diego. The rate is $605 roundtrip, which is a steal. Alaska Airlines wants more than $800 for the same itinerary. Flying from Fairbanks to Salt Lake City is just $557 roundtrip, which is much less even than the Anchorage-to-Salt Lake fare of $704 roundtrip.

Other great fares that are available right now include Fairbanks to Las Vegas, Albuquerque or Omaha for as little as $563 roundtrip. Alaska Airlines is charging $923 roundtrip for the same Fairbanks-Las Vegas itinerary. Of course, since Delta and Alaska Airlines are code-share partners, some or all of your trip could very well end up on Alaska Airlines.

All websites are not created equal. You may find the good rates on Travelocity, but not on Expedia. Sometimes, you may have to look at the airline site directly -- or just call a travel agent. And remember -- these fares change like the wind. On Friday, I checked with my agent at USTravel, and we found a rate to Honolulu for $459 on Delta Air through Seattle. The Anchorage-to-Seattle portion was on Alaska Airlines, and the Seattle-to-Honolulu portion was a Northwest flight (now part of Delta). But today, that rate is gone.

Frontier Airlines also flies from Anchorage to Denver during the summer -- and those flights equate to great deals between the two cities. In fact, Alaska Airlines has a nonstop flight as well. Remember: When airlines are mad at each other, travelers are the winners.

This competitive cat fight in Fairbanks underscores just how important it is to have a vibrant, competitive market for air service.

Right now in Anchorage, there are a few select deals to places like Hartford, Conn., and New York City for right around $500 roundtrip. Frontier even has a good fare into Denver from Anchorage ($433 roundtrip), but it doesn't start until mid-May. Everyone is hanging on for a fare sale because prices are too high.

 

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.