Cheapest Time to Fly to Alaska (and the Most Expensive)
The cheapest time to fly to Alaska is usually winter and select shoulder-season weeks—while June through August and late-December holiday travel are the priciest.
Alaska airfare changes a lot through the year—mostly because summer is short, everyone wants the same weeks, and seats can fill fast on popular routes.
If your goal is cheaper flights, you’ll usually win by traveling in winter or shoulder season—then avoiding peak summer and holiday weeks.
Quick Take
- Cheapest time to fly to Alaska: January–March, late April–May, September, and early December
- Most expensive time to fly to Alaska: June–August, holiday weekends, and late December–early January
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Cheapest Time to Fly to Alaska
The cheapest Alaska flights usually show up when fewer travelers are headed north and airlines still have plenty of seats to sell—especially if you can fly midweek.
January to March (Winter Deal Window)
This is often the most reliable stretch for lower fares, since it’s Alaska’s slowest travel season for most visitors.
Money-saving tip: Midweek departures (Tuesday–Thursday) often price better than Friday/Saturday.
Heads-up: If you’re flying to smaller airports, options can be more limited—so flexibility matters even more.
Late April to May (Shoulder-Season Value)
As Alaska starts waking up for summer, you can sometimes catch better pricing before peak demand fully kicks in.
Money-saving tip: Check Anchorage (ANC) first—then compare pricing to Fairbanks (FAI) if that’s closer to your plans.
Heads-up: Late May can start climbing quickly as summer travel ramps up.
September (Post-Summer Cooldown)
After the busiest summer weeks end, demand often drops and fares can loosen up again—especially after Labor Day.
Money-saving tip: Shift your trip by 1–2 days if possible—Alaska pricing can change a lot based on weekend travel patterns.
Heads-up: Early September can still be pricey if it’s packed with end-of-summer trips.
Early December (Pre-Holiday Lull)
Early December can be a sneaky good time for deals before Christmas and New Year pricing takes over.
Money-saving tip: Keep your return flexible—late-December returns are where prices usually jump.
Heads-up: Once school breaks begin, fares can rise fast.
Most Expensive Time to Fly to Alaska
The most expensive time to fly to Alaska is when demand spikes for Alaska’s short peak season and major holiday travel—meaning fewer cheap seats and higher price floors.
June to August (Summer Peak)
This is the toughest stretch for deals. Alaska’s best weather weeks and long daylight hours pull in the most travelers, and flights can sell out early.
Peak within peak: Late June through late July is often the roughest run for pricing.
Late May (Early Peak Ramp)
Even before June, prices can rise as summer demand builds and travelers lock in “first trip of the season” dates.
Peak within peak: Memorial Day week and weekend-heavy trips.
Holiday Weekends (Domestic Travel Spikes)
Even outside summer, certain weekends push prices up because travelers are competing for the same limited seats.
Peak within peak: Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, and Thanksgiving week travel.
Late December to Early January (Year-End Rush)
Holiday travel is one of the biggest price spikes for Alaska flights—especially if you’re trying to fly out right before Christmas and come back right after New Year.
Peak within peak: Late-December departures and early-January returns.
On a Budget But Want Better “Value Weather” in Alaska?
If you want nicer conditions without paying peak-summer airfare, these windows are usually your best bet:
- Mid-to-late May: Better weather starts showing up, with lower prices than June–July on many routes
- Early-to-mid September: A great balance of deal odds and comfortable travel timing
- Late April: Shoulder-season pricing with improving conditions week by week
Best Booking Window for Cheap Flights to Alaska
Alaska pricing rewards people who watch early—especially for summer. When a good fare pops up, it can disappear quickly.
- Low/shoulder seasons: start tracking 1–3 months ahead
- Popular seasons (June–August): start tracking 3–6+ months ahead
- Holiday weeks: start tracking 2–5+ months ahead
Extra tip: If you live near multiple airports, price-check them all. A different departure airport can sometimes save you more than tweaking dates.
Seasonal Flight Demand Chart for Alaska
Use this chart as a quick guide to the cheapest vs. priciest months to fly.
| Month | Demand Level | Price Level | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | Low | Low | Often the best month for deal odds |
| Feb | Low | Low | Strong deal month for many routes |
| Mar | Low → Medium | Low → Medium | Spring travel begins building |
| Apr | Medium | Medium | Shoulder season starts—prices vary by week |
| May | Medium → High | Medium → High | Ramps toward summer; late month can spike |
| Jun | High | High | Summer peak begins |
| Jul | High | High | Peak summer pricing |
| Aug | High → Medium | High → Medium | Early month high, then cools off later |
| Sep | Medium → Low | Medium → Low | Post-summer dip—deal-friendly after Labor Day |
| Oct | Low → Medium | Low → Medium | Often calmer pricing, fewer crowds |
| Nov | Low | Low | One of the quieter, cheaper months |
| Dec | Medium → Very High | Medium → Very High | Early deals; late-month holiday surge |
FAQs
What is the cheapest month to fly to Alaska?
Answer: January and February are often the cheapest months, with strong deal odds also showing up in November and parts of March.
What is the most expensive month to fly to Alaska?
Answer: July is commonly the most expensive month, with June and August close behind—plus late December can spike due to holiday travel.
Is it cheaper to fly into Anchorage or Fairbanks?
Answer: Anchorage (ANC) is often cheaper because it has more flight volume and competition, but Fairbanks (FAI) can win on certain dates—price-check both.
What is the cheapest day of the week to fly to Alaska?
Answer: Midweek (Tuesday–Thursday) is often cheaper than weekend-heavy schedules, especially in summer.
How far in advance should I book Alaska flights?
Answer: Shoulder season: 1–3 months ahead. Summer: 3–6+ months ahead. Holiday weeks: book earlier than you think, because the best itineraries go first.
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