Anchorage Airport (ANC) is the secondary hub for Alaska Airlines and it is a heavy player for cargo traffic as the sixth busiest cargo transporter. The main cargo airlines are UPS and Fedex Express which both do a good trade with Asia. If you are booking car rental in Anchorage Airport for the summer months of June, July and August then be sure to reserve ahead as this is when the airport is busiest and cars are most in demand.
Anchorage Airport has two terminals, a south terminal which deals with domestic flights and a north terminal which deals with international flights. Most of the flights out of Anchorage are domestic but there are some seasonal flights to destinations such as Zurich in Switzerland.
Anchorage Airport Mini Guide
Why Should I Take a Holiday in Anchorage?
It could be because you love the great outdoors. Many go there in summer to take advantage of mild weather and sunny skies but don’t forget the midge repellent. There’s plenty of wildlife to be seen there too including Moose and Grizzly and Kodiak bears. The city is also interesting and recalls its past with a museum dedicated to the lives of the original inhabitants of the land. You can also stand on a mountain top and marvel that the US paid Russia only $7m for the whole of Alaska, it’s got to be the best property deal in history.
How Do I Get Into Anchorage?
The best way is to fly into Anchorage Airport, named Ted Stevens Airport, after the long serving politician. The airport is close to the centre and actually well within the city limits. Flights come in from all over the US as well as Asia and Europe. Journey times into the centre are short with a variety of ways of getting there.
What’s the Airport Like?
It’s very modern and comprised of the North and South terminals. Each has a wealth of facilities and the airport is connected to the city centre by bus, train and taxi. The airport is undergoing the final phases of an upgrade so the facilities from 2012 should be even better. It’s one of the largest cargo handling airports in the world and receives almost as many cargo flights as passenger ones.
What Can I Expect When I Land?
You’ll disembark via an air bridge to the terminal and whilst this side of the airport isn’t so glamorous, you’ll soon find yourself in a very modern terminal. You can expect a good walk from the plane doors to passports and baggage reclaim, depending on your airline. Make sure that if you need assistance, you’ve let your airline known well in advance.
Once in the arrivals hall there’s a desk manned by volunteers that can give you airport information and tell you more about the area. There are a couple of banks on your way through the arrivals hall as well as some ATMs for quick cash. To find the car hire desks you’ll need to go down to level 0. Escalators take you there from baggage reclaim and the main arrivals hall. On the way down you’ll find the lobby of the other modes of transport and there you can book a taxi and buy bus and rail tickets.
Will I be Able to Shop and Eat Whilst Waiting for my Return Flight?
You’ll be surprised at how many shops and restaurants there are at the airport. Just check in, hand over your bags and collect your boarding passes then the airport is your oyster. Everything you might want is there from high fashion to sports clothing, jewellery, gifts, perfumes books and more. Even beyond security where everything is at duty free prices, you’ll find great shopping at even lower prices. There’s quite a choice when it comes to eating, with high class dining for those with time to kill and a budget to suit their appetites or fast food for those on tighter budgets and timescales. The airport is also proud to offer free wireless internet access if you have a laptop or netbook.
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