From flights to food, the Anchorage airport is offering more options for almost everything

Most Alaskans have a routine for their trips to Anchorage’s largest airport.

Some travelers opt to arrive two hours prior to departure. Others are not that strict. Some have lots of bags to check. Others go directly through security with a backpack and a small, rolling suitcase.

Once you pass the TSA checkpoint, you’ve entered the new world of the traveler’s bazaar. It’s part restaurant, part bookstore, part private lounge, part tavern and part art gallery.

Almost every square foot of terminal space is up for grabs for merchants who have something to offer travelers.

Like most of the airports in Alaska, the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport is owned by the state.

Angie Spear, the airport director, has her own routine to get to work.

“I fly in on the 5:30 a.m. flight from Fairbanks on Alaska Airlines — and I love that morning team,” writes Spear.

Spear has been the director of the Fairbanks airport for a few years. When Craig Campbell stepped down as Anchorage airport director a few months ago, Spear was tapped as the interim director. Now she splits her time between Anchorage and Fairbanks.

“If you have not met ‘Mama,’ the gregarious woman who works the gate in Fairbanks for Alaska Airlines, you are truly missing out,” writes Spear. “She is a one-woman comedy show at 4:30 a.m.!!”

The Anchorage airport’s footprint is a big one. In addition to the two passenger terminals, there is a massive air freight operation including FedEx, UPS, Atlas Air Freight, Everts Air Cargo and others. There’s the Lake Hood seaplane base, which is the world’s largest float plane airport. Then there’s all the property around the runways, including the hangars, the parking lots, the Aviation Museum and other buildings.

One slice out of that pie is the south terminal, which is where most travelers go to catch their flight to other parts of Alaska, the Lower 48, Hawaii or Europe.

Just getting to the airport is a challenge if you want to park your car. The short-term parking garage, a 50-year-old structure, still is being renovated.

“It’s safe to say the fourth floor of the parking lot will be completed by the end of the year,” said Teri Lindseth, the deputy airport director. Lindseth oversees planning and development for the airport.

The last three times I’ve driven to the airport, there’s a big sign that flashes “parking lot full,” encouraging drivers to park off-site at Diamond Parking or Alaska Park. Because of the shortage of parking, many lots have sprung up along Spenard Road on the way to the airport.

In addition to taxis and ride-share (Uber and Lyft), the People Mover bus runs from downtown along Spenard Road to the airport between 6:30 a.m. and 11:30 p.m. on weekdays, or between 8 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. on weekends.

Once you arrive at the top level of the south terminal, passenger traffic splits in the middle. On the right is the big Alaska Airlines check-in station. American Airlines is on that side as well. Most travelers check in online and now just use the kiosks to print bag tags. Then, the customer service staff checks your ID before accepting the luggage. Passengers without checked bags can head directly to security. There’s a Starbucks shop right there if you need an espresso ... although you cannot take it through security.

On the other side of the terminal, past Delta, United and Condor, smaller carriers like Ravn Alaska and Aleutian Airways have check-in counters. There’s also a Denali Pretzel stand, which offers Kaladi coffee and breakfast burritos from L’Aroma Bakery. I think they serve the best coffee in the airport. There’s also another Denali Pretzel stand just after the TSA checkpoint.

The Denali Pretzel stand across from Ravn Alaska’s check-in is busier, because passengers flying out of the A Concourse on Ravn, Grant, Aleutian Airways or Kenai Aviation don’t have to go through the TSA checkpoint. They’re free to bring their coffee aboard the flight!

If you get through TSA and want some breakfast, there are a bunch of options, including the hand-held breakfast sandwiches at Silver Gulch Brewing. They have a special counter that faces the C Concourse for the grab-it-and-go crowd.

But the busiest place is McDonald’s. There’s always a line since you can get a meal for under $20.

Soon, there will be another option for budget-bites. “Pizza Hut is expected to open this fall between gate C2 and C3,” wrote Teri Linsdseth, the airport’s deputy director.

There’s another new option near the exit to baggage claim: Sweet Caribou. Well-known for their tasty macarons, Sweet Caribou also boasts a cult following for its custom bowls. My favorite is the Kenai Kale Quinoa bowl. All the bowls come with a mini-macaron.

Each traveler has a favorite haunt, it seems. Some head straight to 49th State Brewing, while others prefer Humpy’s on the B Concourse or Sushi on the Fly near C6. Norton Sound Seafoods offers service both inside the secure area and outside.

Spear, the airport director, has a special mission when she’s headed back home to Fairbanks. She has to pick up some popcorn.

“My accounting staff member in Fairbanks is hooked on the Dill Pickle Popcorn from Jazzy Popcorn on the C Concourse,” she wrote. “Cheddar mixed with Caramel corn and the cheddar jalapeño also are popular.”

Everbody’s got to eat, but eventually it’s time to fly. There are more options from Anchorage to the U.S. than ever before. That includes seasonal nonstops to Washington, DC, New York, Detroit, Atlanta, Houston, Dallas, San Francisco, San Diego and Salt Lake. Year-round nonstops are available to Phoenix, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Chicago , Minneapolis, Denver, Honolulu, Portland and Seattle. Alaska Airlines also offers nonstop service during the winter from Anchorage to both Maui and Kona.

Spear and her team have their eyes on the goal for future international service: “We’re very focused on service to Japan, whether it’s a charter or scheduled service,” she said.

If there are other travelers who would like to join me in prayer to encourage that nonstop service to Asia, the airport plans to open a “meditation room” on the B Concourse. Right now, the only scheduled international flights include nonstops to Frankurt, Germany with both Condor and Discovery Airways. Air Canada service flies each day from Anchorage to Vancouver, BC.

If you’re in a hurry to leave the airport and you forget something, Spear oversees a bustling lost-and-found department. “It’s incredibly busy year-round, but especially in the summer,” she writes. “People lose some interesting things, including CPAP machines and coffee makers. That’s in addition to gloves, hats, neck pillows and a variety of electronics and cords.” Call 907-266-2623.

If you leave something on the plane, contact your airline directly.

The airport has its own fire department, police department, airport runway plowing and maintenance departments. The airport never closes, and the busiest time is between 6 p.m. and 2 a.m. to accommodate all the red-eye flights.

Traffic at the airport is growing, in part because of the increased number of nonstop flights to far-flung destinations like Atlanta and Houston.

That trend is worth celebrating. But during the holiday season, travelers love to celebrate all month long (during December). The airport is bringing back holiday music performances. “We will start soliciting groups in October,” said marketing coordinator Ruth Kimerer.