While the Southwest news may be the most exciting for a larger group of people, a new flight to Anchorage from Phoenix, Arizona, may appeal to a certain type of traveler — those dedicated to seeing the actual midnight sun. The new route will connect Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport with Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, running May 21 through September 8, 2026.
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The flight time is approximately 6 hours and departs Phoenix at 7 PM, meaning travelers will arrive in Alaska right around midnight. Since the state enjoys about 22 hours of sun on its longest days of summer, those traveling from Phoenix will want to make sure they have their sunglasses in their carry-on bags. While there’s certainly novelty value, it may also help visitors make the most of their time there, as most people will naturally adjust their sleeping schedule based on daylight. So you may end up spending less time sleeping, and more time exploring.
Travelers located a little further north than Phoenix or Las Vegas also have new flight options. Alaska Airlines announced late last year more than a dozen new routes, including direct flights to Anchorage from Boise, Idaho; Spokane, Washington; and Boston, Massachusetts.
Travelers keen to visit parts of Alaska other than Anchorage are also in luck, as a handful of airlines are resuming seasonal routes to Fairbanks and Juneau. Delta is bringing back its seasonal Minneapolis-to-Fairbanks route, and United will restart seasonal service to Fairbanks from both Chicago and Denver. There’s also one new option for Juneau, which isn’t connected by road to the rest of Alaska. To visit, you’ll be able to fly direct from Seattle on Delta this summer (or catch a flight on Alaska Airlines, which also serves Juneau from Seattle year-round). 
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