Anchorage Airport (ANC) Flights & Flight Status

As the largest airport in the state of Alaska, Anchorage airport (ANC) is an important gateway for visitors and locals alike. Given its geographic position, it also serves as a major cargo hub for flights transporting goods between North America and Asia. Alaska Airlines is the home carrier, and while its biggest hub is in Seattle/Tacoma, Anchorage is another of its major airports connecting cities around Alaska with those in the lower 48. Recent upgrades have modernized the terminal even further to handle growing traffic, and as a result, ANC is a pleasure to travel through. From interesting art to restaurants and bars with panoramic views, Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport is a pleasure to use.

Two terminals with modern amenities

The airport has a North and South terminal with the latter divided into three concourses. The North terminal serves international arrivals because of its customs and immigration facilities.

The South terminal serves the majority of airlines at ANC. Alaska Airlines uses the newer concourse, which is lined in glass and permits ample natural light.

A shuttle bus connects the North and South terminals although it is possible to walk between all concourses in the South terminal. A landside walkway also connects the North and South terminals outside of security.

From late spring to early fall, Anchorage sees a huge uptick in passenger numbers. That is because this is the ideal time to visit the state’s national parks or hop aboard the cruises leaving Alaska's biggest city for tours of its coastline and glaciers. Lines can be longer during summer for shops and restaurants.

Upcoming upgrades to the airport include more audio and visual monitors within the terminals to cater to travelers with disabilities. This is part of a government grant that the airport received.

Keep in mind that Alaska Airlines has introduced a lobby remodel at ANC (as well as in other major airports). The new design setup requires travelers to print their own boarding pass before arriving at the airport or check in via the app as the kiosks no longer have this capability.

As part of an effort to reduce paper waste, Alaska’s move can come as a surprise to travelers who may not have a cell phone with them or access to a printer (or don’t want to download the app). Each time I pass through, staff have to explain this unusual change to some unsuspecting passenger.

Dining and shopping options

I love spending a few hours at this airport before a flight, especially when snow is falling outside. It’s a great spot to watch planes on the apron with the Chugach mountain range in the background.

There are fast-food and full-service restaurants airside for passengers to enjoy. Some of my favorites are Humpy’s Alehouse with nearly two dozen craft beers on tap from all around the state (don’t miss the fish tacos) and Silver Gulch Brewing & Bottling Co., the northernmost brewery on the North American continent.

If you are dropping off or picking up passengers, Nor­ton Sound Seafood House is before security and serves some of the freshest seafood at the airport. There are numerous dishes that incorporate Alaskan salmon, and it’s hard to go wrong with the king crab.

Also pre-security is the Upper One lounge, which has a dive bar atmosphere, but remains popular with travelers before they fly out and want to have one last drink with non-traveling friends.

Alaska Mercantile sells souvenirs as well as homemade candy, snacks and local artwork. Other stores also have local gifts to bring home like reindeer sausage, smoked salmon and fleece jackets. There is a lot to peruse within the South terminal’s three concourses, and the walk between them is not too far.

Upon arrival, even if I don’t check a bag, I like to pass through Anchorage’s baggage claim area because the items that people check are rather unique. You will see everything from fishing equipment and insulated fish coolers to rafts and outdoor boots.

It is a quick reminder of the wild wilderness just beyond the airport’s sliding doors. A good tip: there is also a Starbucks here to grab a coffee after a long flight while waiting on a bag. Lines here are shorter than past security inside the terminal.

Art, design and entertainment

The airport is filled with Alaskan art and sculpture. The Alaska Native art collection is a highlight including things like traditional dolls and toys, glass sculptures, wood carvings and the ever-changing Northern Lights Corridor with light-sensitive pieces. Some were especially commissioned for the airport.

There is also an Alaska sports hall of fame honoring accomplished athletes from the state. These include everyone from famous dog mushers to Olympic medalists.

If you arrive to the airport earlier than you need to be (or have a long layover to another part of the state), drive over to the Alaska Aviation Museum next to the airport. My recommendation: give them a call to see if they can send over their van to pick you up. Chances are, they will!

The museum has all kinds of Alaska Airlines and aviation memorabilia and vintage aircraft on display. This includes a Stearman C2B (the oldest plane in the collection) and a former Boeing 737-200 from Alaska Airlines that you can go inside.

Airlines and destinations

Alaska Airlines is the biggest airline at the airport offering a wide network of flights to the rest of the U.S. as well as around the state. It serves West Coast cities as well as farther destinations like Honolulu and Chicago among others. The busiest route at the airport (among all airlines) is to Seattle/Tacoma.

One of the most famous flights from Anchorage is known as the “milk run” route that connects the airport with Seattle by making four or five stops along the southeastern coast of the state. It takes its name from the types of flights bush pilots would operate a century ago transporting mail, food and other supplies to smaller communities.

Alaska Airlines’ Anchorage-Seattle “milk run” flight is a lifeline for many cities like Cordova, Yakutat and Juneau, providing fast access to other cities (and bringing in supplies more efficiently). Many aviation geeks take this flight just for the novelty of it and the rugged views of the Alaskan coastline.

Most major U.S. airlines fly here, including Delta to as far as Atlanta and United to Washington, D.C. and Newark during the summer months. Alaska flies seasonally to New York JFK. The longest passenger routes: Condor and Discover fly nonstop to Frankfurt, and Icelandair serves Reykjavik.

Like cities in the western part of the United States, ANC has numerous redeye flights that depart in the late evening or early-morning hours.

This means that the late evening hours can be a busy time at the airport. It would be a mistake to arrive at the airport just before an 11pm flight assuming that there would be no lines at security.

Ravn Alaska also operates a hub here connecting smaller cities in Alaska using turboprop aircraft. Its flights are another example of a lifeline to communities in far corners of the state. They use the same terminals as other airlines making connections from larger airlines to Ravn Alaska easy.

Lounge

Alaska Airlines has the only lounge at the airport, but it has great views of the passing planes. I find the buffet of salads, snacks and soup to be decent enough to pass the time. It also has an open bar, but interestingly, the bar staff does not accept tips.

Renovations to the lounge have doubled the space for travelers and upgraded the seating to more comfortable lounge chairs, almost all of which are close to a power outlet. And like the airport itself, Alaska is adding more artwork from local talent within the lounge.

If you are traveling on Alaska or American and have a membership in either airline’s lounge program, you can use the Anchorage lounge. Also, if you purchased a first class ticket on Alaska, you can also use the lounge.

Top 5 global cargo hub

I love watching the Boeing 747 and MD-11 planes (among other types) unloading their wares. Anchorage is one of the top five aviation cargo hubs around the world. If you like to plane spot, ANC airport is great.

How to get to and from Anchorage airport

Beyond taxis, shuttle vans and rideshare services, the airport also has a station for the Alaska Railroad. It opens only during the summer months to provide more convenient access for cruise ship passengers who have booked land tours before or after their trip. It does not serve the general public.

People Mover Route 40 travels from the downtown transit center to the airport making several stops along the way. You would still need to take a taxi or rideshare if your hotel is not within the downtown core though.

The bus stops near popular hotels like The Lakefront, Marriott Downtown and Hilton Anchorage. I use it when I am traveling light, but door-to-door rideshare services are faster.