Trust me, flying to Alaska is a whole different game. I’ve taken this route enough times to know which airlines actually understand what Alaskan travel means. Whether you’re headed to Anchorage to spot moose wandering through downtown or catching a bush plane to the wilderness, picking the right airline makes all the difference.
After testing pretty much every carrier that serves the best places in Alaska, I can tell you which ones handle everything from ski gear to summer camping equipment like pros. Plus, having spent weeks exploring spots like downtown Anchorage and the artsy Talkeetna main street (where you can legit see Denali on clear days), I know exactly which airlines get you there stress-free. I analyzed over 100 most common flight routes to Alaska from around the world and analyzed factors like the amenities, pricing, seat comfort/legroom, and on-time performance. Here are the carriers I personally trust for my Alaska adventures.
Quick tip on how to find cheap flights to Alaska
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Best Airlines to Fly to Alaska
Looking for the best airlines to fly to Alaska? Travel with Alaska Airlines for extensive regional coverage, fly with Delta Air Lines for reliable service and comfort, choose United Airlines for convenient connections, or book with American Airlines for nationwide accessibility. Whether you prioritize convenience, affordability, or service, these airlines offer great options for flying to Alaska.
1. 🇺🇸 Alaska Airlines
- 🏠 Hub: Seattle (SEA), Anchorage (ANC), Portland (PDX)
- 💺 Cabin Options: Main Cabin, Premium Class, First Class
- 🎯 Loyalty Program: Mileage Plan
- ☕ Perks: Most extensive Alaska network, generous baggage policy, complimentary Alaska-themed beverages
- 🧠 Pro Tip: Join their Club 49 program if you’re an Alaska resident for free checked bags and exclusive weekly fare deals
The hometown hero and natural first choice for Alaska travel, Alaska Airlines connects more cities within the Last Frontier than any other carrier. From major US cities, they offer nonstop service to Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau, Ketchikan, and Sitka, plus seasonal service to smaller communities. Their fleet ranges from Boeing 737s on mainline routes to Bombardier Q400 turboprops serving remote destinations.
Their Premium Class offers extra legroom, early boarding, and complimentary beer and wine. First Class features spacious recliner seats, enhanced dining, and attentive service. Even in the Main Cabin, passengers enjoy free texting, streaming entertainment to personal devices, and their signature fruit and cheese platter available for purchase.
What makes Alaska Airlines special? Their deep local knowledge. Flight attendants share fascinating facts about landmarks visible from the aircraft, and the airline partners with local food producers for onboard snacks and meals. Their “Alaska Beyond” entertainment system includes documentaries about the state’s unique culture and wildlife.
Their Mileage Plan loyalty program consistently ranks among the most valuable, with miles earned based on distance flown rather than dollars spent. Plus, the airline’s famous “Milk Run” flights hop between Southeast Alaska communities, offering breathtaking views of glaciers, mountains, and fjords along the way.
- You may also like: Cheapest Places to Fly from Juneau
2. 🇺🇸 Delta Air Lines
- 🏠 Hub: Seattle (SEA), Minneapolis (MSP), Salt Lake City (SLC)
- 💺 Cabin Options: Main Cabin, Comfort+, First Class, Delta One (select routes)
- 🎯 Loyalty Program: SkyMiles
- ☕ Perks: Year-round reliable service, extensive US connections, consistent experience
- 🧠 Pro Tip: Look for their seasonal nonstop flights to Anchorage from Atlanta, Detroit, and New York for convenient one-stop access from East Coast cities
Delta has significantly expanded their Alaska presence in recent years, offering robust service to the 49th state. Beyond their year-round Seattle hub connections, Delta operates seasonal nonstops to Anchorage from Minneapolis, Salt Lake City, Atlanta, Detroit, and New York. Their Alaska routes primarily use Boeing 737s and 757s, with some widebody service during peak summer season.
Their Comfort+ provides extra legroom, dedicated overhead space, and complimentary alcoholic beverages. First Class features spacious recliner seats, enhanced dining with meals on ceramic dishes, and priority services throughout the journey. Delta One, available on select longer routes, offers lie-flat beds and premium amenities.
Delta’s operational reliability stands out, particularly during challenging winter months. Their industry-leading de-icing capabilities and weather management systems mean fewer cancellations when heading to snowy destinations. The dining program includes regional touches like Alaska seafood and local craft beers on northern routes.
The SkyMiles program offers decent value with frequent award sales to Alaska destinations. Their extensive domestic network makes reaching Alaska convenient from virtually anywhere in the US with just one connection. Tech-savvy travelers appreciate their reliable in-flight Wi-Fi and robust entertainment options available on most aircraft serving Alaska routes.
- Read next: Best US Airlines
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3. 🇺🇸 United Airlines
- 🏠 Hub: Denver (DEN), San Francisco (SFO), Chicago (ORD)
- 💺 Cabin Options: Economy, Economy Plus, First Class, United Polaris (select routes)
- 🎯 Loyalty Program: MileagePlus, part of Star Alliance
- ☕ Perks: Year-round Anchorage service, extensive connections, comprehensive app
- 🧠 Pro Tip: Book their nonstop Denver-Anchorage route for the most efficient connection from central and southern US cities, especially during winter
United offers strong Alaska coverage with year-round service to Anchorage from several of their major hubs. During summer, they expand to include seasonal nonstops from Chicago, Newark, and Houston, while adding service to Fairbanks from Denver and Chicago. Their Alaska flights typically operate on Boeing 737s and 757s, with occasional widebody service in peak season.
Their Economy Plus provides extra legroom without the premium price tag. First Class features spacious recliner seats, enhanced dining options, and priority services. On select flights from hubs like Newark, United Polaris business class offers lie-flat beds and premium amenities for the long journey north.
What makes United special? Their industry-leading app provides comprehensive flight information, airport maps, and the ability to track checked baggage throughout the journey. Travelling with a pet? Their pet program is particularly valuable, throwing in more options than many competitors.
The MileagePlus program offers good value for Alaska redemptions, especially during off-peak seasons. Their partnership with Air Canada also provides additional routing options through Vancouver and Calgary. Budget-conscious travelers will appreciate their Basic Economy option for shorter hops within Alaska.
- Read next: Best Airlines in the World
- You may also like: Best First Class Airlines
- Departing from Alaska’s capital? Check out: Cheapest Places to Fly from Juneau
4. 🇺🇸 American Airlines
- 🏠 Hub: Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), Phoenix (PHX), Chicago (ORD), Los Angeles (LAX)
- 💺 Cabin Options: Main Cabin, Main Cabin Extra, Premium Economy (select routes), Business, First
- 🎯 Loyalty Program: AAdvantage, part of Oneworld
- ☕ Perks: Seasonal nonstops from multiple hubs, extensive domestic feed, premium cabin options
- 🧠 Pro Tip: Book their nonstop Phoenix-Anchorage route for a sun-to-snow journey that offers convenient connections from the Southwest and East Coast
America’s largest airline provides seasonal coverage to Alaska with an emphasis on summer adventure travel. From their massive Dallas-Fort Worth hub plus Phoenix, Chicago, and Los Angeles, American offers nonstop service to Anchorage during peak season. These routes typically operate on Boeing 737s and Airbus A321s with their latest cabin products.
Their Main Cabin Extra provides additional legroom and preferred seating with earlier boarding. On longer routes from hubs like Dallas, Premium Economy may be available with wider seats and enhanced amenities. First and Business Class feature spacious recliner seats, upgraded dining options, and priority service throughout the journey.
What makes American work well for Alaska travel is their extensive domestic network, allowing simple one-stop service from hundreds of US cities. Their codeshare partnership with Alaska Airlines further expands options for reaching smaller communities within the state. The onboard experience includes Alaska-inspired menu items during summer season and regionally appropriate entertainment options.
The AAdvantage program offers solid value with web specials frequently available on Alaska routes, especially during shoulder seasons. Their partnerships with Alaska Airlines and British Airways provide additional earning and redemption opportunities. Tech-savvy travelers appreciate their reliable in-flight Wi-Fi and streaming entertainment options available on most aircraft serving Alaska routes.
- Score cheap Alaska flights: 5 Proven Tips to Fly to Alaska for Cheap in 2025
5. 🇺🇸 JetBlue Airways
- 🏠 Hub: New York (JFK), Boston (BOS), Los Angeles (LAX), Fort Lauderdale (FLL)
- 💺 Cabin Options: Economy (Core), Even More Space, Mint (premium)
- 🎯 Loyalty Program: TrueBlue
- ☕ Perks: Free high-speed Wi-Fi, generous legroom, live TV programming
- 🧠 Pro Tip: For a more elevated Alaska trip, connect through Seattle and book their seasonal nonstop to Anchorage, especially in Mint for premium comfort at a competitive price
JetBlue entered the Alaska market relatively recently, offering fresh competition on key routes to the Last Frontier. Their seasonal service primarily connects Seattle (SEA) to Anchorage (ANC), allowing convenient connections from their East Coast focus cities like New York and Boston. These flights typically operate on their Airbus A320 family aircraft equipped with their signature amenities.
Their Even More Space seats provide industry-leading legroom at a reasonable price. On their feeder routes from the East Coast, Jetblue’s Mint premium service offers lie-flat beds, restaurant-quality dining, and elevated service. Even in standard Economy, passengers enjoy more legroom than competitors, free brand-name snacks, and complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi.
Have a big game to watch? You won’t miss out anymore with Jetblue’s in-flight entertainment, which includes live DIRECTV programming. The food and beverage program also features partnerships with recognized brands rather than generic airline fare, including local craft beers on Alaska routes.
The TrueBlue loyalty program also offers straightforward earnings based on dollars spent, with no blackout dates for redemptions. Family travelers appreciate their family pooling option for points and their generous personal item allowance. With reliable service, modern cabins, and often competitive pricing during shoulder seasons like May and September, JetBlue is a standout option for travelers who value comfort without overspending.
- Read next: Top Budget Airlines with Great Reviews
6. 🇺🇸 Southwest Airlines
- 🏠 Hub: Seattle (SEA), Portland (PDX), Denver (DEN)
- 💺 Cabin Options: All-Economy seating with open seating policy
- 🎯 Loyalty Program: Rapid Rewards
- ☕ Perks: Two free checked bags, no change fees, family-friendly policies
- 🧠 Pro Tip: Book connecting itineraries through Seattle for service to Anchorage during summer months, utilizing their “Want to Get Away” fares for the best value
America’s largest low-cost carrier brings their unique approach to Alaska travel with seasonal service to the Last Frontier. While not offering year-round flights, Southwest connects Anchorage to Seattle and Portland during summer months, with convenient connections from their extensive network spanning over 100 US cities. They exclusively use Boeing 737s with their signature all-Economy cabin layout.
Southwest’s egalitarian approach means one cabin class with open seating, but passengers who check in early can select preferred seats near the front or exit rows for extra legroom. Their boarding process prioritizes families, allowing them to stay together without assigned seating. Every fare includes access to their entertainment portal with free streaming options to personal devices.
When it comes to loyalty programs, Southwest’s Rapid Rewards offers good value with points-based redemptions tied to cash fares. Their frequent fare sales often include Alaska routes, particularly when newly released. Their Companion Pass benefit allows frequent travelers to bring someone along for just taxes and fees, potentially cutting Alaska vacation costs significantly.
The real win here is value. With two free checked bags per passenger and no change fees, Southwest is ideal for families or travelers carrying lots of gear for their Alaska adventures.
- Read this next: How to Fly to Alaska for Cheap (from Continental US)
7. 🇺🇸 Sun Country Airlines
- 🏠 Hub: Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP)
- 💺 Cabin Options: Standard, Better, Best (fare bundles with various perks)
- 🎯 Loyalty Program: Sun Country Rewards
- ☕ Perks: Affordable summer service, vacation packages, Minnesota connections
- 🧠 Pro Tip: Watch for their limited-time “Wheel of Fortune” sales. These flash events often include seriously discounted fares to Anchorage, but they go fast.
Sun Country Airlines might not be the first airline that comes to mind for Alaska travel, but it has become a hidden gem for summer trips to the Last Frontier. Operating seasonal nonstop flights from their Minneapolis hub to Anchorage, they’ve made Alaska more accessible for budget-conscious travelers without the usual low-cost carrier headaches.
Unlike most budget airlines, Sun Country actually gives you decent legroom and reclining seats that won’t leave you feeling like a human pretzel. Their fare bundles make sense too: “Better” gets you a carry-on and seat selection, while “Best” throws in a checked bag and priority boarding. Nothing complicated or confusing about it.
The real value comes from their surprisingly affordable vacation packages. While other airlines treat hotels and cars as expensive add-ons, Sun Country bundles everything at prices that often beat booking separately. This matters big time in Alaska, where peak summer hotels can cost more than your flight..
Sun Country’s rewards program is refreshingly straightforward, they offer discounts for military members and teachers, and they even serve local craft beers from both Minnesota and Alaska.
