Is Anchorage to Fairbanks One of the Most Scenic Flights Ever?
Flightseeing in Alaska can run several hundred dollars or more. But flying from Anchorage to Fairbanks, or any other Alaskan city is almost as good and probably cheaper. This most recent flight I took was under $150 roundtrip.
Several years ago I’d taken the long way to Barrow, opting for 3 connections as a way of maximizing my views of the Alaska interior. So I was super excited about the flight we were taking from Anchorage to Fairbanks on our Iditorad trip. My last flight had been early morning in the dark, this time we’d be flying right around sunset!
Tip: If you want a chance of seeing Denali (formely Mt McKinley, sit on the left side of the plane Anchorage to Fairbanks, right side of the plane Fairbanks to Anchorage. And try not to sit anywhere near the wing as the propellers might block your view.
Breathtaking! Mountain tops, glaciers, everything! All bathed in a rosy sunset glow.
And to top it off, Alaska’s Horizon Air flights include complimentary local beers and Washington State wines. So you can do some local tasting and toast your view if you’re so inclined.
The flight takes about an hour and if you have sensitive hearing, think about packing some earplugs or earbuds. Though most of the planes are the De Havilland DHC-8-400 Dash 8Q (Q for quiet I’ve been told),  the sound of the engines are noticeable.
In addition to the planes throughout the airports, be sure to look for the Dinosaur Park in the Fairbanks airport.
And chances to win Alaska Airline miles at Anchorage gates.
If you’re only visiting Alaska for a short while, consider even booking a day trip to get in some flightseeing and check out the other city’s attractions.
More from this trip
The San Juan Airport Doesn’t Want You to Find the Hotel
Snow for the Iditarod
BBQ & Fat Birds in Anchorage
Seeing the Northern Lights in Alaska
Experiencing the Ice Art Championships in Fairbanks
Love the Fairbanks reports, Keri. I’m returning to Alaska next May for a week and had been trying to think of another city to visit, and after reading your posts about Fairbanks, I knew that that was where I should go. That was the last piece of my Alaska puzzle, thank you!
Gorgeous pics!
I did ANC-FAI flights in the winter and in the summer and actually expected way more scenic views. I liked in the winter better.
The most memorable, I would say, were flights from Juneau to Anchorage (sit right to see glaciers) and between Anchorige and Kodiak Island
Done that flight, and I vote yes!!
Great pics, reminded me of my personal “favorite scenic flight” – Urumqi (China) to Bishkek (Kyrgyzystan). During the winter this flight takes off around sunrise. The sunrise (a long one on this westbound flight) over the Tien Shan mountains is stunning.
Great pictures, thanks for sharing!