There’s always a big shift in the travel space during the holidays.
Before Thanksgiving, all the way past Christmas Day, there’s a festive feeling in the air. Lights are strung. Holiday songs play in the background. There’s tinsel all over.
At our “home” airport, Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, there’s also a concert series. Starting on Dec. 4, music groups are slated to entertain travelers before they head through security.
Grab an eggnog latte at the coffee shop and let the choir, orchestra, jazz band or marimba ensemble get you in the holiday spirit for your trip. All of the performances, through Dec. 27, are between 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. So there’s no sing-along as you’re preparing for your midnight flight, which is when most planes are scheduled to depart.
Don’t let the Grinch steal your holiday spirit when you’re trying to find a place to park. I just got an update from the airport that the short-term, long-term and north terminal lots all are full. There are lots of folks on the move, so make a plan to get dropped off before your flight, or use an off-site parking lot.
Another last-minute update: a “significant number” of the Airbus 320 family of planes (A319, A320 and A321) have been grounded, effective immediately. The action is due to increased solar radiation, which affects an onboard computer.
American Airlines is the only airline serving Alaska with a nonstop A321 aircraft from Dallas to Anchorage each day. Hundreds of American’s planes will require a software fix, which takes about two hours per plane.
Is there a traveler on your holiday gift list? There are all sorts of gadgets designed specifically to make your journey easier or more enjoyable. I reached out on my social feed and got some good ideas.
“I got an inflatable seat cushion for my birthday,” writes David Murrow. “It softens the airplane seat and makes me sit an inch taller, which gets my arms off the arm rest. I love it.”
Paul Ivanoff likes his Kizik brand walking shoes. “I did 15-25,000 steps on vacation…feet were happy,” he wrote.
One of my must-fly items are my noise-canceling headphones. I prefer Bose, but there are many different brands, including Sony and Panasonic. Amy Stratman likes them, too. “Headphones are a must to protect your hearing,” she wrote. “Mine are currently at the lost and found in Grand Rapids.”
Maria Benner recommends the Grayl brand of portable water filter. It’s about the same size as a portable water bottle. The folks at REI also recommend this brand, because it filters and purifies the water. Prices start at about $75.
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Kevin McCoshum is sold on the Pelican brand hard-shell carry-on bag. “Perfect for Alaska travel,” he wrote. It’s waterproof, crush-proof and dustproof. It’s also spendy — about $350. But it comes with a pull-up grip for easy dragging across the airport concourse, as well as a couple of heavy-duty wheels.
Jennifer Williams loves her cellphone lanyard by Cacoe.
“A small purchase but it was my favorite in Alaska,” she wrote. “It kept by phone from falling off the platform into bear country and kept it from falling overboard into fish country. It also proved to be helpful in the airport when my hands were full.”
Liz Harpold likes to enjoy fine coffee when she’s traveling. “Of I’m traveling for a week or more I pack an Aeropress Go and OXO manual grinder (available at REI) to enjoy a bag of local coffee,” she wrote.
There’s no shortage of variations on the perfect backpack or carry-on luggage. From Costco to Walmart and everywhere in-between, there are bags and cases in all shapes and colors.
If you’re looking for travel gifts for the younger set, there’s a big selection at Classic Toys in Anchorage. The shop stocks an endless supply of portable puzzles and brain teasers to keep young travelers entertained. There’s also a collection of classic games like bingo and checkers with magnetic pieces.
Compact stocking stuffers are one thing. But if you’re shopping for your next trip, you might find some inspiration from Black Friday travel deals.
Some of the Black Friday deals last more than a couple of days — others already have come and gone. But don’t worry: Cyber Monday is right around the corner, and every now and then there’s a good selection of discounts on trips and tickets.
Kenai Fjords Tours is offering a 25% discount off all cruises in Seward next summer to Kenai Fjords National Park. Major Marine Tours is offering a 30% discount on their cruises in the park.
Alyeska Resort is offering a 40% discount on rooms at the ski resort, which opens this weekend.
If you’re in the market for a cruise, most cruise companies are offering some sort of discount. Norwegian, Holland America, Princess and Royal Caribbean all have a “super deal of the day” to appeal to Black Friday shoppers.
If you’re going over the river and through the woods this season, be sure to double-check your airline details before leaving home. If you’re putting presents in your bag, don’t wrap them up. The TSA may want to inspect them.
Correction: This story has been updated to correct the name of a store in Anchorage where certain portable puzzles and brain teasers may be purchased. It is Classic Toys, not Once Upon a Child.
Scott McMurren is an Anchorage-based marketing consultant, serving clients in the transportation, hospitality, media and specialty destination sectors, among others. Contact him by email at zoom907@me.com. Subscribe to his e-newsletter at alaskatravelgram.com. For more information, visit alaskatravelgram.com/about.
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