It took awhile, but airfares between Anchorage, Fairbanks and key destinations in Europe finally are starting to fall. By “key destinations,” I’m referring to Dublin, London, Barcelona, Madrid, Rome, Milan and Athens. Northern Europe is not included — although fares did come down a little between Anchorage and Paris.
While it’s usually a good policy to plan ahead for international travel, some of the best prices now are available for travel in two weeks, starting on Oct. 2.
Delta is taking the lead on offering the lower prices. Usually, United and American will chime in and match the fares. That’s starting to happen, but not to all destinations.
For flights from Anchorage to Dublin, both United and Delta have fares from $553 round-trip. Fly between Oct. 1 and Dec. 13, or between Jan. 7 and March 7. On either Delta or United, you need to add another $150-$175 round-trip to accommodate one checked bag, seat assignments, some flexibility on changes and cancellations and frequent flyer credit.
Between Fairbanks and Dublin, prices start at $553-$574 round-trip on Delta or Alaska Air, which partners with American Airlines and British Airways.
From Anchorage to London, the round-trip fare is as low as $621 round-trip, for travel starting Oct. 3. United and American also dropped their prices — but not quite as much. Again, add between $150 and $175 to accommodate seat assignments, bag check, some flexibility on changes or cancellations and frequent flyer credit. Travel between Oct. 1 and March 29, 2024, excluding Christmas and Thanksgiving. United doesn’t fly to Fairbanks — so travelers can pick between Delta and Alaska. Delta partners with Virgin Atlantic between Seattle and London, while Alaska partners with British Airways and American Airlines.
I love traveling to Barcelona — and it’s on sale. Prices start between $561 and $597 round-trip from Anchorage or Fairbanks, depending on your exact itinerary. Delta has the biggest selection of dates, between Oct. 1 and March 27, 2024, excluding Christmas and Thanksgiving. If you look hard enough, you can find a seat on United every now and then. But not from Fairbanks. Again, these are “basic economy” fares. The add-on is the same for all of the sale cities: $150-$175 round-trip for seat assignments, mileage credit and a checked bag.
On our next European trip, we’re headed to Madrid — and I can’t wait. Rates to the Spanish capital are about $100 more than to Barcelona: $660-$692 round-trip on Delta, starting Oct. 22. Travel through March 7. Prices are about the same, whether you leave from Anchorage or Fairbanks.
In addition to the two destinations in Spain, two cities in Italy are on sale: Rome and Milan.
Whether you start your journey in Anchorage or Fairbanks, the fare to Rome is about the same, starting $609-$635 round-trip on Delta. From Anchorage, I found a few cheap seats on United. Fly between Oct. 1 and March 29, excluding Christmas and Thanksgiving.
Flying from Anchorage or Fairbanks to Milan costs a little more, but not much: $627-$679 on Delta, between Oct. 2 and March 28, excluding Christmas and Thanksgiving. United offers discounted seats on a few dates from Anchorage, from $627 round-trip.
[Alaska Airlines launches mobile passport verification for international travelers]
It’s a long reach from Anchorage or Fairbanks to Athens, but the Greek capital is on sale: from $633 round-trip on Delta. The cost really varies from day to day, starting on Oct. 15 for an 11-day trip. Discounted rates, from $677 round-trip, are available through Feb. 29, 2024. United offers flights from $644 round-trip, starting on Oct. 9.
Prices between Anchorage and Paris came down a little — but I honestly think they’re due to come down even more. The lowest price right now is $764 round-trip, starting Oct. 1, on either Delta or United. But United’s schedule is much worse — 26 hours versus 15 hours on Delta. From Fairbanks to Paris, the price on Delta is a little less, from $770 round-trip.
Fares are changing all the time. Just a moment ago, both United and Delta filed cheaper rates from Anchorage to Amsterdam, starting at $788 round-trip. Fairbanks travelers can fly on Delta for as little as $789 round-trip. This is another destination where prices are likely to fall further. Remember — these rates are Basic Economy and you must add $150-$175 per person for bag check, seat assignment and frequent flyer credit.
Europe is not the only place where prices are coming down — but it has the highest concentration of deals right now. There are a couple of other hotspots: Japan and Australia.
Between Honolulu and Sydney, JetStar offers nonstop service for as little as $340 round-trip between Nov. 27 and Dec. 4. More dates are available from Nov. 9 for $380 round-trip. These prices are bare-bones. You have to pay more for checking bags, for seat assignments and meals on board. Next year, you can fly for $310 round-trip, between Feb. 29 and March 7. Fly between Dec. 15 and Feb. 29 for $340 round-trip.
Between Honolulu and Melbourne, Jetstar has fares as low as $316 round-trip between Feb. 14-28. More seats are available at $356 round-trip between $336 and $356 round-trip, traveling between Feb. 4-March 10, 2024.
[Why planes are extremely gross right now]
JetStar is owned by Qantas and has a fleet of 76 aircraft. Jetstar flies Boeing 787s between Honolulu and Australia.
Fly between Honolulu and Tokyo for $466 round-trip on ZIPAIR, between Oct. 29 and Nov. 5. Other dates are available Nov. 5-Dec. 1 and between Jan. 13-March 10 for $516-$535 round-trip.
ZIPAir has a fleet of six Boeing 787s and is owned by Japan Airlines.