Alaska

Major carriers are already beefing up for the summer tourism season in Alaska

Published

1 year ago

December 14, 2024

Major carriers are already beefing up for the summer tourism season in Alaska

An Airbus A330 jetliner belonging to Hawaiian Airlines at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas. (Larry MacDougal via AP)

All indicators point toward a robust tourist season for next summer.

There’s a new entrant on the scene to take travelers south: Hawaiian Airlines.

Starting June 12, 2025, Hawaiian Airlines will offer twice-daily wide-body service between Anchorage and Seattle. One flight leaves at 4:10 p.m. and the other leaves at 2:55 a.m. (yawn).

On Hawaiian’s twin-aisle wide-body A330 aircraft, there are 18 lie-flat seat in first class. These are the first lie-flat seats offered between Anchorage and Seattle. Sure, it’s just a three-hour flight. But, hey, it’s 3 a.m.! There’s enough time for a cat-nap, if you’re willing to pay for it.

I checked some midsummer dates (June 18) and found the first-class seats available for $540 one-way, or 40,000 Alaska Airlines miles. Of course, those prices can go up or down in the blink of an eye.

These summertime seats are available using cash or miles on both websites: alaskaair.com or hawaiianairlines.com.

Alaska Air’s frequent flyers already are asking about elite-level upgrades on Hawaiian flights between Anchorage and Seattle and between Seattle and Tokyo.

Right now, travelers who earn miles on Hawaiian flights can transfer them to their Alaska Airlines mileage account.

According to Alex DaSilva of Hawaiian Airlines, the carrier’s A330s also feature 68 extra-legroom seats (with 36-inch pitch), plus 192 seats in the back.

With 278 seats, the A330 will be the biggest bird in the sky between Anchorage and Seattle.

But there’s another more personal reason to love the A330. Unlike Boeing’s 737s or 787s, or Airbus’ A320 family, Hawaiian’s A330 features a 2x4x2 layout. That means you can avoid the middle seat if you choose wisely.

Nobody likes a middle seat. So even though the A330 is big, about half the passengers on the plane can avoid the dreaded middle seat. Pity the poor folks in the middle section with four-across seating.

The no-middle-seat option also is available on Alaska’s E-175s that fly between Anchorage around the state, as well as on select flights south to Seattle and Portland. The planes, operated by Horizon Air (a subsidiary of Alaska Airlines), feature a 2×2 layout in coach. Sadly, Alaska dropped the Anchorage-Paine Field flight for the summer.

Delta Air Lines flies the Airbus A220 model between Anchorage and Seattle and between Fairbanks and Seattle. Those planes offer a 2×3 seating plan in coach, so there are options to avoid the middle seat.

Hawaiian’s entry into the Anchorage-Seattle market is part of a larger initiative to bring the carrier’s planes to Seattle for flights to Tokyo. Those flights start on May 20, 2025. Nonstop Seattle-Seoul flights on Hawaiian are planned for October of next year.

Hawaiian Airlines is not the only carrier beefing up its flights for next summer.

Condor Airlines, which operates a larger version of the A330 (A330-300), is boosting its summertime flight schedule from three to four times per week. The first flight is May 17, 2025.

Condor is an earn-and-burn mileage partner with Alaska Airlines.

WestJet, a Canadian airline based in Edmonton, Alberta, is launching twice-weekly flights (Fridays and Sundays) between Anchorage and Calgary starting June 29.

Delta Air Lines is boosting its nonstop Anchorage-Detroit flight to daily service for the summer, starting May 23.

In addition to its year-round Anchorage-Minneapolis nonstops, Delta will offer summertime nonstops to Atlanta and Salt Lake City.

United Airlines flies year-round nonstops to Denver. But in the summer, it will resume daily nonstops to Washington, D.C., and to Houston, Chicago, San Francisco and Newark.

American Airlines will resume its Anchorage-Dallas nonstop in March. Its Anchorage-Chicago nonstop resumes on May 5. American Air is a key mileage partner with Alaska Airlines.

Air Canada will resume its summertime flights to Vancouver, B.C., in May. Sun Country Airlines resumes its Anchorage-Minneapolis flights on May 17. Discover Airlines will resume twice-weekly nonstop service from Anchorage to Frankfurt in June.

Alaska Airlines has more nonstops from Anchorage to the Lower 49 than all the rest of the airlines combined. Nonstop destinations, in addition to Seattle and Portland, include San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego (Saturdays only), Salt Lake City, Denver, Las Vegas (Fridays and Sundays), Phoenix, Minneapolis, Honolulu, Chicago and New York’s JFK airport.

Alaska’s nonstops from Anchorage to Maui and Kona end in March.

From Fairbanks, nonstop flights are available on Delta and Alaska to Seattle. During the summer, United Airlines will offer nonstops to Chicago and Denver. Delta will fly nonstop from Fairbanks to Salt Lake City and Minneapolis.

Frequent travelers know nonstop flights are the best. They also know that middle seats are terrible. The new options for 2025 offer some good news on both fronts.

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Alaska

This Alaska cruise port lets you experience the wild, untouched state

Published

18 minutes ago

May 15, 2026

Press Room

This Alaska cruise port lets you experience the wild, untouched state

At Icy Strait Point, visitors can spot whales and eagles while supporting a small Alaska community.

Icy Strait Point in Hoonah, Alaska, offers a rare kind of cruise stop — one where nature, culture, and community take center stage. It was also specifically developed with tourists in mind.

Built on Huna Tlingit land near Hoonah, this privately owned destination was designed to spread visitors across 23,000 acres of wilderness rather than overwhelm the town. The result is a place where travelers can see bald eagles, sea lions, and crashing waves instead of traffic and tour buses.

Beyond its dramatic scenery, Icy Strait Point generates about $20 million in annual economic impact for a community of roughly 900 people, supporting hundreds of jobs, making it a model for how tourism can benefit residents while preserving Alaska’s character.

Why it matters

Located on Huna Tlingit land, Icy Strait Point shows how tourism can support small communities while preserving their identity. Places like this reflect a broader American story of stewardship, self-determination, and economic opportunity.

According to Icy Strait Point’s Senior Vice President, Tyler Hackman, the destination generates “$20 million a year of positive economic impact on a community of 900 people,” creating jobs while allowing Hoonah to remain distinctly itself.

What to see today

Unlike many cruise ports, Icy Strait Point feels remarkably undeveloped.

“This place is mostly untouched,” Hackman said. “When a ship comes into a dock here, somebody can be standing on the top deck of the ship, and you don’t see a parking lot, you don’t see a bus, you don’t see a vehicle.”

Visitors can take a gondola to the mountaintop for sweeping views, then follow Hackman’s advice and head to the beach in front of the historic cannery. There, they can search for shells, dip their hands in Alaska’s icy waters, and take in snowcapped peaks on the horizon — and maybe spot a humpback whale or an orca.

Ask a local

For a sweet stop with a bigger purpose, visit Lil’ Gen’s Mini-Doughnuts.

Operated by The Salvation Army, the shop serves warm mini-doughnuts to cruise visitors all summer. The impact extends far beyond dessert: Hackman said that in 2025, profits from the shop helped fund “$130,000 worth of food to the local community.”

It’s a delicious way to support Hoonah residents directly. Try the lemon sugaring.

Plan your visit

Best time: May through September during the Alaska cruise season.
Hours/admission: Open seasonally. Access is included with most cruise itineraries.
Getting there: Primarily reached by cruise ship from Southeast Alaska itineraries.
Learn more: https://icystraitpoint.com/

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Alaska

Governor Dunleavy Names Stephen Cox his new Counsel to the Governor – Mike Dunleavy

Published

12 hours ago

May 14, 2026

Press Room

Governor Mike Dunleavy today announced the appointment of Stephen Cox as his new Counsel to the Governor. The appointment comes after the legislature’s decision to not confirm him as attorney general, despite his extensive legal and public policy experience and proven record of defending Alaska’s interests both at home and on the national level. Cox’s responsibilities will be to advise Governor Dunleavy on a wide range of legal, regulatory, and constitutional matters affecting the State of Alaska.

Governor Dunleavy also appointed Cori Mills acting attorney general for the Alaska Department of Law. Mills has been with the department for 14 years and most recently served as deputy attorney general.

“Stephen Cox has a strong understanding of Alaska law and the challenges facing our state,” said Governor Dunleavy. “His experience, professionalism, and commitment to public service make him a valuable asset as Counsel to the Governor. I look forward to working with Stephen as we continue advancing policies that strengthen Alaska’s economy, uphold the rule of law, and serve the people of our state.”

As Counsel to the Governor, Cox will continue to work closely with the Department of Law and other executive branch departments to provide counsel on policy initiatives, legislation, and executive actions.

“I am honored to serve Governor Dunleavy and the people of Alaska in this new role,” said Stephen Cox. “I look forward to continue supporting the administration’s efforts to promote responsible resource development, governance and opportunities for Alaskans across the state.”

Cox assumes his new role effective today.

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Alaska

Why Juneau should be on every Alaska traveler’s bucket list

Published

1 day ago

May 14, 2026

Press Room

Why Juneau should be on every Alaska traveler’s bucket list

Juneau blends towering glaciers, the Tongass National Forest and rich Indigenous culture.

Juneau, Alaska, is the only U.S. state capital not accessible by road — a remoteness that adds to its magic and appeal.

Nestled between mountains, rainforest, and the waters of the Inside Passage, Juneau combines Alaska Native heritage, Gold Rush history, and some of the state’s most spectacular scenery.

Visitors can watch humpback whales surface offshore, ride a tram above downtown, stand face-to-face with or even on Mendenhall Glacier, a river of ice flowing from the vast Juneau Icefield. Surrounded by the Tongass National Forest — the world’s largest temperate rainforest — Juneau offers a quintessential Alaska experience where nature feels immense, and adventure begins just minutes from the cruise dock.

Why Juneau matters

Long before prospectors arrived in search of gold, the area now known as Juneau was home to the Áak’w Kwáan, whose name for this place — Áakʼw, often translated as “little lake” — reflects a deep connection to the surrounding land and water.

Russia later expanded into Alaska through the fur trade, bringing Orthodox missionaries, new trade networks, and profound cultural change to Indigenous communities across the region. Though Juneau rose to prominence during the Gold Rush and became the territorial capital after the United States purchased Alaska in 1867, the city still bears traces of both worlds.

As the nation approaches its 250th anniversary, Juneau offers visitors a richer understanding of America’s layered history — one that’s shaped by Native stewardship, Russian influence, and the enduring resilience of southeast Alaska’s Indigenous peoples.

What to see today

The star attraction is Mendenhall Glacier, a 13.6-mile-long glacier that descends from the Juneau Icefield into a turquoise lake.

Easy trails lead to roaring Nugget Falls, while boardwalks along Steep Creek offer chances to spot spawning salmon and black bears. Back downtown, colorful floatplanes skim the harbor and the Mount Roberts Tramway lifts visitors above the city for sweeping views of Gastineau Channel and the surrounding mountains.

Ask a local

One of Juneau’s most whimsical attractions is Glacier Gardens Rainforest Adventure, tucked into the Tongass rainforest just outside downtown.

Locals and visitors alike love the upside-down trees known as “Flower Towers” — massive spruce trunks planted root-side up, bursting with colorful blooms. The display is a unique (and accidental) creation of master gardener Steve Bowhay.

It’s an eccentric sight that feels uniquely Alaskan, blending lush rainforest scenery with a touch of horticultural imagination.