Why People In Anchorage Don't See Much Of Alaska

Alaska Airlines extended its Permanent Fund Dividend sale.  I've just copied the first six destinations from Anchorage that were listed.

From Anchorage (ANC) to

Adak Island (ADK)

Purchase by October 15, 2018.

Restrictions apply*

$449 

one way

VIEW DATES

From Anchorage (ANC) to

Albuquerque (ABQ)

Purchase by October 15, 2018.

Restrictions apply*

$179 

one way

VIEW DATES

From Anchorage (ANC) to

Atlanta (ATL)

Purchase by October 15, 2018.

Restrictions apply*

$249 

one way

VIEW DATES

From Anchorage (ANC) to

Austin (AUS)

Purchase by October 15, 2018.

Restrictions apply*

$199 

one way

VIEW DATES

From Anchorage (ANC) to

Baltimore (BWI)

Purchase by October 15, 2018.

Restrictions apply*

$229 

one way

VIEW DATES

From Anchorage (ANC) to

Barrow (BRW)

Purchase by October 15, 2018.

Restrictions apply*

$149 

one way

[The out-of-state distances come from convert it]

So let's see how much that comes to when converted to cost per mile;

From Anchorage to Adak = 1,192 miles  or $.38 per mile
From Anchorage to Albuquerque = 2578 miles  or $.07 per mile
From Anchorage to Atlanta = 3365 or $.07 per mile
From Anchorage to Austin =  3125 or $.06 per mile
From Anchorage to Baltimore = 3317 or $.07 per mile
From Anchorage to Barrow =  725 miles or $.21 per mile

[UPDATE Oct 10, 2018  8pm- here are some more Alaska destinations (miles from air miles calculator)
Anchorage to Bethel = 399 miles (at $99) = $.25 per mile
Anchorage to Cordova = 160 miles (at $99) = $.62 per mile
Anchorage to Dutch Harbor = 792 miles (at $349) =  $.44 per mile
Anchorage to Fairbanks - 261 miles (at $77) = $.30 per mile
Anchorage to Juneau =  571 miles (at $137) = $.24 per mile
Anchorage to Ketchikan = 775 miles  (@ $169) = $.22 per mile
Anchorage to Kodiak = 253 miles (@ $109) = $.43 per mile
Anchorage to Kotzebue =  548 miles  (@ $129) = $.24  per mile
Anchorage to Nome =  539 miles  (@ $129) = $.24  per mile
Anchorage to Petersburg =  671 miles  (@ $149) = $.22  per mile
Anchorage to Sitka =  592 miles  (@ $148) = $.25  per mile
Anchorage to Yakutat =  373 miles  (@ $149) = $.40  per mile]


I understand that airline prices are related to prices offered by competitors and that Alaska Airlines has little to no competition when flying around Alaska.  But what it means is that:

• Unless someone's job requires Alaska travel paid by the  employer, most Alaskans can fly out of state for much less than they can fly in state
• Rural Alaskans, whose income is below the state average, are a big part of Alaska Airlines' profits
• If they aren't (if Alaska Air is making plenty with out of state flights) then why not give rural Alaskans a break here?

And I got a notice today from the Alaska Permanent Fund that they deposited my $1600 into my checking account.  And Alaska Airlines, like every other business, wants their cut of every Alaskans PFD.