Summary
- A new direct flight from New York to Anchorage launches on June 13, 2024.
- Alaska Airlines offers increased connectivity to various destinations.
- Travelers by air contribute significantly to Alaska’s tourism, particularly to its National Parks.
A summer getaway to Alaska just got easier.
Alaska Airlines is launching the longest flight in their network, a direct route from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport to Anchorage, Alaska. The seasonal flight will be the only direct route from the New York hub to Anchorage and will begin daily operations on June 13, 2024.
Due to the 3,386-mile distance of the route, the flight will be operated on a new Boeing 737-800, which can accommodate the longer flight time, according to a statement from the airline.
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In addition to the flight to New York, Alaska Airlines also announced the launch of a new nonstop service from Anchorage to San Diego starting on May 18, 2024. This service will operate weekly, utilizing a Boeing 737 aircraft.
“During our peak summer days, we’ll have a robust flight schedule of 63 departures a day from Anchorage,” Alaska Airlines Regional Vice President Marilyn Romano stated.
Moreover, Alaska Airlines has been increasing flights from their Anchorage hub to other destinations around the country, including routes to Chicago, Denver, Honolulu, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Minneapolis, Phoenix, Portland, Salt Lake City, San Francisco, Seattle, and Everett (Washington). Alaska currently flies to over 120 destinations around the globe.
While it is true that more than half of travelers who visit Alaska arrive via cruise ships, an impressive number exceeding one million tourists arrive through air travel annually, according to statistics from the State of Alaska. Travelers visiting Alaska frequently explore the National Parks, including Denali National Park and Preserve and Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, contributing over $1.2 billion during their visits in 2022, according to a report from Alaska Business.
“Summer is an incredible time to visit Alaska with our warm, long days. There’s so much to do in Anchorage and in the smaller towns nearby; mapping out your itinerary might be the toughest thing you do before heading west,” Alaska Travel Industry Association President & CEO Jillian Simpson emphasized.
