Alaska Airports Travel Guide

Key Highlights

• Alaska is very big and does not have many roads. So, its public airports are very important for travel in the state of Alaska.

• Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport is the busiest place to fly in or out. Lots of people and goods use Anchorage International Airport.

• Alaska Airlines is the main airline. It helps connect the big towns and gives needed air service all across the state of Alaska.

• A lot of places, like Juneau which is the state capital, can only be reached by a plane or a boat.

• The Federal Aviation Administration looks after many airports. Some have commercial service and are big gateways for the world, while others are just small village landing strips.

Introduction

Welcome to your guide for getting around Alaska by air! Alaska is the biggest state in the United States. In many parts, flying is the best or even the only way to travel. There is a lot of wilderness, and not many roads go through the state. Because of this, airports are very important in Alaska. They link towns and villages that can be hard to reach and open up stunning places for people to see.

If you are coming from the lower 48 states, or you plan to visit more than one town in Alaska, it helps to know a little about the airport system here. Alaska Airlines is one of the main airlines that offer air service in the state. They help connect Alaska’s main airports with other places in the United States and with places around the world.

Top Alaska Airports for Travelers

Planning your Alaska adventure starts when you know about the main airports in the state. There are hundreds of airstrips in Alaska, but just a few main ones handle most of the passenger boardings. These airports are under the Federal Aviation Administration. They serve as your way to see glaciers, visit national parks, and learn about local life. You can count on these airports for good air service and easy connections, so your trip goes well.

There is a busy international airport in Anchorage and other smaller, important regional airports. Each airport is important for air travel across Alaska. Alaska Airlines is one big name working from these places, and they help you get to almost every part of the state. Let’s look at the top five airports you will probably use on your visit.

1. Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC)

Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport is only five miles from downtown Anchorage. It is the busiest and most important airport in Alaska. This place is the main way people and goods get in and out of the state. It has the highest number of flights for passenger service in Alaska. It connects people here to large cities in the United States. If you fly to Alaska, most trips to the state will start at Anchorage International Airport.

This airport does more than just serve people flying for trips. It is known around the world for moving cargo. Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport is one of the busiest cargo airports. Its spot makes it a good stop for flights that go between places in North America and Asia. This gives ANC a busy and active role every day.

Big airlines like United Airlines and Delta fly out of Anchorage International Airport. Still, Alaska Airlines uses it as their main hub. You can book flights to many other towns and cities in Alaska from here. When you wait for your next flight, the Alaska Airlines lounge is open for you. This helps you relax before heading out to see more of Alaska.

2. Fairbanks International Airport (FAI)

Fairbanks International Airport (FAI) is the second busiest airport in Alaska. It is just a few miles away from downtown Fairbanks. This airport is a great place to start a trip to places like Denali National Park or to go see the amazing Northern Lights in the winter months of the calendar year.

Most flights at FAI are domestic scheduled passenger service. Alaska Airlines and Delta Air Lines help people get to cities like Seattle, Anchorage, and Minneapolis. There are also some international flights at certain times of the year. Because of this, the airport is very important for people who visit Alaska from other places.

Besides the big air carriers, there are also smaller airlines at FAI. These airlines go to small towns in Northern Alaska. This makes Fairbanks International Airport a key part of getting around the state. It helps the people who live there and also helps tourists who come to see Alaska.

3. Juneau International Airport (JNU)

Juneau International Airport (JNU) serves the capital city in the state of Alaska. This airport is special because you can only reach Juneau by air or by sea. There is no road that leads into the city. The airport sits about eight miles away from downtown Juneau. It is an important place for people who live there, those working in government, and tourists who want to visit the scenic southeast Alaska.

Even though it is called an “international” airport, Juneau International Airport mostly offers domestic passenger service. Most flights go between JNU and cities like Seattle and Anchorage. Alaska Airlines is the main company flying these routes. These flights run all year. You can use an FAA airport diagram to view the layout of the place. The Alaska Department of Transportation manages this airport.

There is more you need to know about Juneau International Airport. Besides big planes, it is also used by seaplanes and bush planes. These smaller planes help reach many small towns in the area. This service is very important. JNU helps keep these faraway communities connected in the state of Alaska.

4. Ketchikan International Airport (KTN)

Your arrival at Ketchikan International Airport (KTN) will be something you won’t forget. The airport is on Gravina Island. It is not on the same land as the city of Ketchikan. Because of this, every traveler has to take a short ferry ride across the water to reach the town. This way of getting from the airport into town is part of what makes the Ketchikan Gateway Borough stand out.

KTN is the main airport in the southern Alaskan panhandle. It helps connect people around the whole area. Even though “international” is in its name, the airport mostly handles flights inside the United States. Alaska Airlines is the main airline here. You will see that it has a lot of flights each day, to places like Seattle, Anchorage, and other towns in Southeast Alaska.

This airport is also where many air taxi companies work. They are important because they help folks reach nearby islands and remote places with no road access. If you come here for fishing, the views, or to learn more about the culture, Ketchikan International Airport will be your first step into the wild, beautiful south of Alaska.

5. Bethel Airport (BET)

Bethel Airport (BET) is very important for Western Alaska. It is in a far-off part of the state and not connected to main roads. The airport acts as a main center for towns in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta. It was first built during World War II. Now, it gives key air service to one of the most remote places in the United States.

Alaska Airlines runs two flights each day from Bethel to Anchorage. These flights carry most of the people who travel in and out of this airport. This link is needed, as it helps people and supplies reach a place where travel is very hard. The Alaska Department of Transportation works to keep this airport running.

Besides these main flights, Bethel Airport is busy with air taxi operators like Grant Aviation and Ryan Air. They use small planes called bush planes to fly between Bethel and many nearby villages. They bring mail, freight, and people in and out. For this part of Alaska, these air taxis are the main way for people to travel.

Essential Facilities and Services at Alaska Airports

When you get to an Alaskan airport, you will find many different services and things to use. These can be very different, with bigger places like Anchorage having many public facilities, while smaller airports might have just a few basic things for you. Both general aviation and commercial service are part of what these airports offer to help.

If you want to eat, find a way to get around on the ground, or need to catch a smaller flight, you will find that Alaska’s airports can help you with the right things. The Alaska Department of Transportation also gives people information about many airports, so you can look up what you need before you get there or when you arrive. Now, let’s take a closer look at the public facilities and different ways to travel that you can expect when you visit these airports.

Terminal amenities and passenger services overview

When you travel through big airports in Alaska, like Anchorage and Fairbanks, you will find many public facilities. These are there to make your passenger service much better. The terminals can handle a lot of people when it is time to board a plane. And, the things you find there are a lot like what you see at other airports in the United States. If you want to know more, you can often check out helpful guides right on the airport’s own website.

At smaller airports in the region, you will not get as many services, but there are still things you need for your trip. You will not see a lot of stores, but you can sit in clean waiting areas or ask staff if you need help. When you go through big hubs, keep an eye out for airline services, like Alaska Airlines. Some of these have special lounges for certain flyers.

Here are the most common services and public facilities you will find at Alaska’s main airports:

• Dining options from a quick snack bar to a place where you can sit down and eat.

• Stores where you can get souvenirs, books, and things you might need for travel.

• Counters to rent a car, so you can get where you are going with no trouble.

• Airline lounges, including the Alaska Airlines lounge in Anchorage.

Ground transportation and inter-terminal connections

Getting from the airport to your final destination is a key part of your travel plan. At major airports with direct road access like Anchorage and Fairbanks, you’ll find plenty of ground transportation options, including rental cars, taxis, and rideshare services. Renting a car is often the best way to explore the surrounding areas at your own pace.

For airports in locations without road connections, like Juneau or Ketchikan on Gravina Island, your options will be different. In Ketchikan, a ferry is required to get from the airport to the city. In many remote areas, the most common way to get around is by plane, using an air taxi service to hop between communities. Inter-terminal connections at larger airports are typically handled by walking, as terminals are often in the same building.

Here’s a quick look at your options:

Transportation Type	Availability	Best For
Rental Cars	Major airports (ANC, FAI)	Exploring surrounding areas with road access
Taxis/Rideshare	Most city airports	Quick trips to local hotels and attractions
Airport Ferries	Specific locations (e.g., KTN)	Essential airport-to-city transfers
Air Taxis/Bush Planes	Regional hubs (BET, JNU)	Reaching remote villages and lodges

Conclusion

To sum up, traveling to Alaska is sure to be a trip you will not forget. It helps to know the details about airports there for a smooth trip. From the busy Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport to the pretty Juneau International Airport, every airport has services and things you need. These things make your trip better and easier. If you know what you can get and how to get around at these places, you will find your journey simpler. So get your bags ready, look forward to amazing sights, and enjoy all the great things in Alaska. If you want some help planning your trip, you can get a free talk with us. We want you to have the best time while traveling, especially to juneau international airport and anchorage international airport.

Frequently Asked Questions

What airlines operate flights to and from Alaska airports?

Alaska Airlines is the biggest carrier in the state. There are other big names too, like Delta Air Lines and United Airlines. They fly mostly to Anchorage and Fairbanks. Some of their flights are part of a seasonal service. In addition, regional air carriers like Ravn Alaska and Grant Aviation help people get to smaller and more remote towns.

How many public airports are in Alaska?

The state of Alaska has hundreds of public airports. People in Alaska often need to use air travel because of how big and spread out the state is. These airports play a key role in the state’s infrastructure. The Federal Aviation Administration has listed many of them in its National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems. This shows how important these airports are.

Where can I find a map of all Alaska airports?

To get a full list of airports in the state of Alaska, it is best to use official government sources. The Alaska Department of Transportation website is a good place to start. You can also find more details and an FAA airport diagram on different federal aviation websites.