A summer getaway to Alaska just got easier.  

Alaska Airlines is launching the longest flight in their network, a direct from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport to Anchorage, Alaska. The seasonal flight will be the only direct route from the New York hub to Anchorage, and will begin daily operations on June 13, 2024. 

Due to the 3,386 mile distance of the route, the flight will be operated on a new Boeing 737-800, which can accommodate the longer flight time, according to a statement from the airline.

In addition to the flight to New York, Alaska Airlines also announced the launch of a new nonstop from Anchorage to San Diego starting on May 18, 2024. This service will operate weekly, utilizing a Boeing 737 aircraft. 

“During our peak summer days, we’ll have a robust flight schedule of 63 departures a day from Anchorage,” Alaska Airlines Regional Vice President Marilyn Romano said in the release.

Both the New York and San Diego route are available for purchase now on Alaska Airlines’ website and app.

Alaska Airlines has been increasing flights from their Anchorage hub to other destinations around the country, including flights to: Chicago, Denver, Honolulu, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Minneapolis, Phoenix, Portland, Salt Lake City, San Francisco, Seattle and Everett (Washington). Alaska currently flies to over 120 destinations around the world. 

While more than half of travelers who come to Alaska arrive on cruise ships, over a million tourists arrive to Alaska by air travel annually, according to statistics from the State of Alaska. Travelers visiting Alaska most often visit the National Parks, including Denali National Park and Preserve and the Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, and spend over $1.2 billion during their visits in 2022, according to a report from Alaska Business.

“Summer is an incredible time to visit Alaska with our warm, long days. There’s so much to do in Anchorage and in the smaller towns nearby, mapping out your itinerary might be the toughest thing you do before heading west,” Alaska Travel Industry Association President & CEO Jillian Simpson said in a statement.