This week we have a collection of great airfares to Europe. Some feature Condor’s final flights of the season, while two others feature Delta’s service to Barcelona and Madrid in November.
It’s worth mentioning again, though, how fortunate Anchorage travelers are to live near an airport where big jets will take you to the other side of the world in less than a day’s time. Further, the prices are quite reasonable.
Compare our proximity to Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport with the ever-changing air service options to Anchorage from other parts of the state.
The biggest problems lately stem from Ravn Alaska’s withdrawal from the Alaska market.
Ravn stopped flying to St. Paul Island last month. The local government has chartered flights through mid-August on a Learjet from Security Aviation. The cost? From $1,350 to $1,800 one-way.
“The community came together to purchase the charters,” said Danielle Lestenkof, with the Aleut Community of St. Paul Island. “They hope to recoup the costs from travelers.”
Asked if the community will continue to charter flights past Aug. 15, Lestenkof said, “things are definitely up in the air right now.”
There are eight seats on each departure to or from St. Paul Island, with most of the seats devoted to residents going to the doctor, or utility and construction workers.
In Valdez, St. Marys and Unalakleet, local governments are working with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Essential Air Service program to secure reliable air service. But even multimillion-dollar subsidies were not enough to keep Ravn in the air. There is a limited pool of qualified air carriers from which to choose — and those carriers only have so many planes that can conform to the over-water requirements of service to St. Paul, or the mountainous terrain around Valdez.
It takes a specialized team of professionals to provide safe, reliable transportation around Alaska, where many destinations are served only with planes that can accommodate eight or nine passengers per flight.
It’s a different game for companies that fly the big jets. Safety and reliability still are at the top of the list. But when there are more than 150 seats on a plane, carriers can get creative and offer deals to get people excited about going places.
Condor’s nonstop flights from Anchorage to Frankfurt are popular. The flights operate until mid-September. But there are three departures in August that are available for $660 round-trip: Aug. 12-19, 16-23 or 19-26. If you want to fly in September for $710 round-trip, choose Sept. 2-9 or 4-11. These are Basic Economy fares, so there are extra charges for seat assignments and baggage.
More dates are available for Premium Economy, which features extra legroom and some more amenities. The cost is more, too, about $1,550 round-trip.
Flying to Rome or Milan on Condor, connecting in Frankfurt, is actually cheaper than just going to Frankfurt. Choose from two departures this month for a seven-day trip: Aug. 16-23 or 19-26. In September, it costs a little more, $670 round-trip to fly Sept. 2-9 or 4-11.
Similar late-season deals are available between Anchorage and Berlin, Zurich or Munich. All fares are subject to change without notice.
The best deal I’ve found all week, though, is between Anchorage or Fairbanks to Barcelona. Fares start at $437 round-trip between Nov. 1-25 on Delta. That’s a Basic Economy fare. It’s $220 more for a Main Cabin ticket. Fly in Comfort+ for $1,649 per person. That includes extra legroom and a free checked bag.
The last time I was in Barcelona was in January — and it was spectacular. Traveling in November will be less crowded. Nobody will be at the beach! I always love going to Spanish architect Antoni Gaudi’s spectacular church, La Sagrada Familia. But that’s just one of the architectural attractions. The other is also built by Gaudi: Park Guell. The ornamental tiles and the Dr. Seuss-style architecture gives the park a playful feel — and affords spectacular views of the city and the ocean beyond.
You’re really missing out on Barcelona’s culture if you fail to taste the food and sip the wine. Spanish Trails, a company co-founded by former Anchorage resident Tracy Harris-Inman, hosts a lovely food-and-wine tour. Bring your comfy walking shoes since the tour is all on-foot. You’ll enjoy some authentic Catalan and Spanish tapas — small plates of delicious food — sample the best local wines and stroll through Barcelona’s old quarter.
There are so many other glorious sites and experiences available in and around Barcelona. One of my other favorites is a trip to the monastery at Montserrat. It sits on a ridge overlooking Barcelona. It’s accessible by train. There’s a trail along the mountainside to visit various shrines. Or, just hike around the trails behind the monastery itself. You might hear the boys choir as they practice!
Another day trip northeast from Barcelona is in Figueres, near the French border. The Salvador Dali Museum is easily accessible by train. The museum bills itself as “the world’s largest surrealist object.” Dali fans will not be disappointed with this museum.
Runner up for the best deal of the week is the fare from Anchorage to Madrid: just $441 round-trip. It’s available Nov. 1-27 on Delta. When we visited Madrid in December, it was chilly. So dress accordingly.
One of the top attractions in Spain’s capital city is the Prado Museum. I’m no art history buff, so we opted for a free tour of the museum with “Guru Walks.”
You still have to pay admission to the museum. The Guru Walks tour is free — and you tip the guide at the end. Our guide was a law student and very knowledgeable about the museum and the major works on display.
It’s always fun to learn about good bargains to Europe, even if it’s in the offseason. Still, I have my eyes trained on the aviation infrastructure in Western Alaska. Safe, reliable, affordable air travel is important for all Alaskans, not just those who happen to live near a big airport!
Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly named the Prado Museum as the Prada Museum.
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