When it involves air journey, there’s loads of information early in 2026

There’s a number of chatter on the wire about journey nowadays.

In case you missed it, Alaska Airlines kicked off the brand new yr with a bang: ordering greater than 100 new planes and rolling out their northern lights-themed 787 for worldwide service.

Several vacationers questioned if this implies the demise of the flagship picture of an Alaska Native on the tails of Alaska’s 737s. There are not any plans for that proper now. Further, until issues change, we received’t see these 787s in Alaska anytime quickly.

Between winter storms and a file variety of vacationers transferring by means of the airports this season, Alaska Airlines additionally needed to clear up one other technical glitch with its standard Club 49 plan for Alaskans.

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All of a sudden final week, vacationers have been exhibiting up with baggage to examine however their Club 49 standing was not exhibiting up. The consequence? Really costly bag charges. The disaster was significantly acute for vacationers coming back from Anchorage to Western Alaska with three baggage to examine.

There was a number of confusion on the check-in counters, however the glitch ultimately received mounted.

However, it’s a well timed reminder to go to your Alaska Airlines account and seek for your Atmos membership card. When you pull it up, it’s best to see Club 49 displayed beneath your identify and mileage quantity. If not, contact Alaska’s customer support desk: 800-252-7522.

Alaska Air’s Club 49 deal for 2 free checked baggage (or three throughout the state) is so standard that Delta copied it. If you’re a SkyMiles member and your main handle is in Alaska, you qualify for 2 free checked baggage between Alaska and the Lower 48. Further, SkyMiles members get free Wi-Fi on Delta flights.

Behind all of the chatter within the busy journey world, I feel it’s vital to recollect how a lot airline tickets price.

It’s true that fares go up and down — and so they change on a regular basis. But lots of the benchmark charges between Alaska and the Lower 48 stay low. That is due primarily to the continued battle between Alaska and Delta over their Seattle hubs.

Further, as a result of each carriers are leaning into elevated worldwide service from Seattle, key charges to pick out locations in Europe are depressed. That means there are nice offers for journey between now and March.

Because Delta additionally flies to Fairbanks year-round, vacationers within the Golden Heart City have entry to extra reasonably priced fares to locations similar to Los Angeles and Lisbon, Portugal.

As normal, the satan is within the particulars. The cut price charges should not out there on every single day or each flight. But there are some nice offers out there should you’re a bit of versatile.

Between Alaska and the Lower 48, the least-expensive ticket from Anchorage or Fairbanks is to Seattle, for about $237-$239 round-trip in Basic Economy. Both Alaska and Delta provide the fare for journey between Jan. 30 and March 31. The upcharge for Main is $80 on Delta, or $100 on Alaska.

Working down the West Coast, the cost for Anchorage-Portland is $297 round-trip, nonstop on Alaska Airlines. Add $110 round-trip for the upcharge to principal cabin. That’s what it prices to get full Atmos credit score and pre-assigned seats. This fee is on the market for journey from Jan. 31 to May 21.

For journey from Anchorage to the San Francisco Bay space, tickets to San Jose are least expensive: $277 round-trip on both Alaska or Delta. Add $80 for principal cabin for journey between Jan. 30 and March 31.

If you’re ranging from Fairbanks, there’s a bit of extra flexibility: Fly to San Francisco, San Jose or Sacramento for $298 round-trip on Delta or Alaska between Jan. 31 and March 31. Add $80 round-trip for principal cabin.

Remember — these charges should not out there every single day, significantly round spring break. You might must hunt round for the perfect dates.

The charges to Los Angeles went up a bit of bit, however nonetheless are comparatively low. Alaska Airlines has the most cost effective fares: $297-$317 round-trip. Add $90-$100 for principal cabin.

Headed to Phoenix? Alaska has the Anchorage-Phoenix nonstop, but it surely’s priced greater than both Delta or United, at $293 round-trip. Add $80-$100 for principal cabin. Fly between Jan. 17 and May 7.

Here’s a scorching deal: Fly Anchorage to Dallas for $293 round-trip on Alaska Air. Add $100 for principal. Fly between Jan. 17 and Feb. 28.

A bunch of East Coast locations are pricing at $337 round-trip. Budget $100 or extra for principal cabin. Fly between Jan. 30 and late March (it varies a bit of by vacation spot). Fly from Anchorage to any of those locations: Tampa, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, New Orleans, Raleigh or Boston.

There are a couple of stunning Fairbanks locations.

One of my favorites is flying from Fairbanks to Boise, Redmond or Spokane for $258 round-trip. The fares are good on both Alaska or Delta. Add $80 for principal. Fly Jan. 30-March 23.

Another shock: Flying from Fairbanks to LA or San Diego is cheaper than leaving from Anchorage: $298 roundtrip. Alaska provides the most cost effective fare to LA, whereas each Alaska and Delta have the nice fare to San Diego. Add $80 for principal. Fly Jan. 31-March 9.

Looking throughout the Atlantic, Delta has the perfect charges from Anchorage and Fairbanks to a choose variety of European locations.

My favourite is the speed from Anchorage or Fairbanks to Dublin, Ireland: $438-$459 round-trip in fundamental. The upcharge on the European fares is about $210 round-trip. That consists of one checked bag, advance seat assignments and full SkyMiles credit score. For the perfect charges, fly between Jan. 13 and March 6.

From Anchorage or Fairbanks to Rome, Delta’s worth vary is $549-$596 round-trip in fundamental. Add $210 round-trip for principal. Travel dates are about the identical: Jan. 13-March 5.

Two standard locations can be found for journey early May. Fly to Lisbon for $549 round-trip on Delta by means of May 11. Or, select Milan for $515-$549 round-trip by means of May 5. The worth varies a bit of bit, relying on whether or not you allow from Anchorage or Fairbanks.

Fly from Anchorage or Fairbanks to Bucharest, Romania, for $488 round-trip. Travel Jan. 18-May 7. To get the perfect fee, guide at Delta’s companions AirFrance or KLM.

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For a hen’s-eye view of fares and locations, I exploit the Google Flights instrument on my desktop. It doesn’t choose up each deal, but it surely provides an summary — for instance, that fares to Europe are in play.

As I’m typing this up, Delta dropped a brand new deal from Anchorage or Fairbanks to Athens for $525-$545 round-trip in fundamental. Fly between Jan. 19 and March 11. Add $210 round-trip for principal. There are a number of dates out there from Anchorage — not so many from Fairbanks. But there are a couple of.

Flights from Anchorage to Scandinavia are also on sale for $511-$556 round-trip to Copenhagen, Stockholm, Oslo or Helsinki. All on Delta.

It’s vital to notice that every one locations should not on sale. Tickets to London, Paris and Amsterdam nonetheless are spendy. But thrifty vacationers can save a couple of dollars by flying into a special airport.