AGP Executive Report

Air Connectivity: Alaska Airlines plans to retire its 737-700 passenger fleet by 2027, replacing the smaller planes with 737-800s that can carry more passengers and cargo, including on routes serving Southeast Alaska. Northern Lights: After a strong geomagnetic storm, another aurora display may be visible across Alaska and other northern regions. Denali Experience: Funding cuts could halt winter patrols by Denali’s 30 sled dogs unless the park restores staffing for their care. Cruise Season: Juneau closed its 2026 season with Norwegian Encore’s departure after welcoming a record more than 1.7 million cruise passengers.

Cruise Season: Ketchikan said goodbye to Norwegian Encore, the final ship of the season, as Juneau closed a record year with more than 1.7 million cruise passengers. Juneau officials are also weighing a cap on commercial whale-watching boats. Pack for Alaska: Cruise guides warn that glacier stops can be near freezing while port towns are much warmer; waterproof outerwear and removable layers are key. Air Travel: Alaska Airlines has expanded Atmos Rewards to six communities and now requires travelers to rebook to claim a lower fare, changes worth checking before booking.

Air Travel: Alaska Air Group’s network is growing beyond Seattle, with Honolulu now its second-largest hub following the Hawaiian Airlines acquisition. Cruise Season: Juneau recorded more than 1.7 million cruise passengers, and Norwegian Encore’s Oct. 9 departure marked the end of the season in Ketchikan. Visitor Management: Juneau is considering a cap on commercial whale-watching boats as it weighs the effects of growing tourism. Access and Trails: A state draft plan proposes improvements to Kodiak’s Short Trail and Chiniak Highway; seasonal maintenance on the Denali Highway has ended, signaling changing fall travel conditions.

Northern Lights: NOAA says Alaska is among the best places to see auroras this weekend as geomagnetic activity could bring the lights farther south than usual. Airfares: Some post-PFD bargains have vanished: Anchorage–Seattle round trips rose from $259 to $477, while higher fuel costs are pressuring fares. Cruise Season: Juneau set a new record with more than 1.7 million cruise visitors, and Southeast Alaska tourism accounts for 19% of regional jobs; passenger numbers are forecast to top 2 million next year. Wildlife Watching: Juneau officials are weighing a cap on whale-watching boats operating from Statter Harbor, where 78 vessels regularly served Auke Bay this season. Trails and Access: Alaska DOT’s draft 2027–30 plan includes design funding for a 10-mile Kodiak walking and cycling trail; Juneau’s Brotherhood Bridge Trail and Dimond Park Footbridge have reopened after repairs.

Visitor Access: Juneau’s Brotherhood Bridge Trail and Dimond Park Footbridge have reopened after flood repairs and inspection, restoring two popular local routes. Cruise Season: Juneau welcomed a record more than 1.7 million cruise passengers this year; the season ended with Norwegian Encore’s departure. Lines are already planning ahead, with Royal Caribbean set to bring four ships to Alaska in 2028. Planning a Cruise: Alaska sailings range from small expedition vessels to ships carrying thousands. Choosing a ship and itinerary that fit your interests can help balance wilderness, onboard amenities and time ashore. Wildlife: Fairbanks’ Creamer’s Field bird-banding station wrapped up its fall migration season, continuing decades of research and public education.

Cruise Tourism: Juneau welcomed more than 1.7 million cruise passengers in 2026, a fourth straight annual record despite daily visitor limits. Ships sailed at about 104% of lower-berth capacity; a report on tourism’s local impacts is due in December. Haines also saw growth, with about 72,000 cruise passengers this year, up nearly 5,000 from 2025. Juneau’s season ended with Norwegian Encore’s departure. Alaska Sailings: Royal Caribbean plans to bring four ships to Alaska in summer 2028. Airfare: Alaska Airlines’ three-day sale offers fares from $50, but ends tonight.

Cruise Season: Juneau’s 2026 cruise season ended Tuesday with Norwegian Encore’s departure. The city expected about 1.69 million cruise visitors, in the first full season under daily passenger caps. Haines Tourism: Cruise arrivals rose to roughly 72,000 this year, nearly 5,000 more than in 2025, according to preliminary figures. Lodging: Homer rejected a proposal for collecting Airbnb taxes amid concerns about the cost. Air Travel: Alaska Airlines topped Cirium’s 2026 U.S. on-time rankings, a welcome mark for travelers planning trips around the state.

Short-Term Rentals: Homer’s City Council unanimously rejected a plan to have booking platforms collect the city’s 4.85% sales tax. Vacation-rental hosts will continue reporting taxes through the Kenai Peninsula Borough. Remote Travel Safety: Alaska Army National Guard aviators rescued two overdue boaters and their dog from icy water north of the Arctic Circle, underscoring the need for an emergency communication plan in remote areas. Outdoor Conditions: A poor blueberry season in Unalaska left local pickers with a fraction of the usual harvest, prompting organizers to allow store-bought berries at the community’s annual contest. Alaska Cruises: Royal Caribbean has announced its 2028 Alaska cruises, giving travelers another season of sailings to consider.

Air Access: Alaska Airlines is working on a new Seattle–Asia destination, while Delta is suspending its once-weekly winter Atlanta–Anchorage flight amid broader schedule cuts. Cruise Planning: A seven-day Alaska cruise in May 2027 is advertised from $599 per person for an inside cabin, though excursions can add substantially to the bill. Royal Caribbean plans four ships in Alaska in 2028, and Viking’s 2027–29 brochure features new Alaska itineraries. Denali Travel: Seasonal maintenance on the Denali Highway has ended, and winter travel is discouraged for conventional vehicles. Homer Events: The Pratt Museum’s Under the Sea-themed Ritz fundraiser is set for Oct. 10, with local food, auctions and live music.

Alaska Travel & Tourism: Royal Caribbean unveiled its 2028 Alaska lineup, with new sailings from Seattle, Seward and Vancouver on Anthem, Ovation, Serenade and Voyager—plus more inland add-ons like Denali. Cruise Industry: Holland America is adding Vista Class ship Arcadia in 2029, expanding its fleet to 12 vessels and boosting capacity by more than 2,000 guests. Southeast Alaska Travel: Prince Rupert Mayor Herb Pond renewed calls to restore the Alaska Marine Highway ferry stop, saying momentum at a Southeast Alaska summit could help restart service that’s been halted since 2019. Local Travel Logistics: Anchorage is reducing Denali Street from four lanes to two between Tudor and Northern Lights for winter snow storage, with officials monitoring safety and snow removal. Community & Culture: Fairbanks hosted “Lifting Filipino Voices” for Filipino-American Heritage Month, highlighting Alaska’s Filipino communities and cultural performances. Travel Deals: Delta’s SkyMiles Wine Takes Flight lets eligible members check up to 12 bottles of wine for free on select California routes.

Cruise Planning: Alaska cruise season stays tight, with April/May and September/October often bringing 10–20% lower fares and fewer ships in port, while July–August deliver peak wildlife action but bigger crowds. Ferry Costs: At the Southeast Conference, Alaska Marine Highway System and Inter-Island Ferry Authority leaders warned that shipyard inflation (about 70% since 2021) and fuel costs are driving up maintenance and renovation expenses. Onboard Alaska Travel: Princess’ Star Princess is being highlighted for Alaska sailings, with glacier-focused excursions (including a Juneau Icefield helicopter landing) and family-friendly tech like MedallionClass. Local Travel Politics: Vice President JD Vance campaigned in Fairbanks to back Sen. Dan Sullivan and Rep. Nick Begich ahead of Alaska’s midterms, tying the message to energy projects and “energy dominance.” Air Travel Notes: Delta is moving toward closed captions for live TV on seatback screens, while Alaska’s own lounge expansion in Seattle is cited as a major upcoming airport amenity.

Alaska Power & Infrastructure: The U.S. Department of Energy approved $150 million for a second electrical intertie linking Southcentral Alaska and the Interior, the Beluga–Healy Transmission Project, aiming to boost reliability and cheaper power access across the railbelt. VP Campaign in Alaska: Vice President JD Vance says the Alaska LNG pipeline to Asia is still a priority, but Washington and Seoul must “work out” remaining details even as demand stays strong. Travel Logistics: USPS lengthened delivery expectations for packages to and from Alaska (and Hawai‘i/territories), with Ground Advantage now showing up to 10+ days in affected areas. Navy & Alaska Pride: The USS Ted Stevens officially joined the U.S. Navy fleet in Whittier, honoring Alaska’s longtime senator and bringing a new ship to the state’s legacy. Aviation Safety Note: A pilot killed in a Paine Field crash was identified as Mark Stuart Richardson, described by family as a well-known Alaska aviation business owner. Sports: Alaska School Activities Association released Division I–III and flag football playoff brackets.

Alaska Airlines expands nonstop reach: Alaska Airlines is rolling out major new long-haul flying, including an 8-hour Seattle–Keflavík (Iceland) 737 MAX route and more transatlantic growth, with speculation it could add Seattle–Hong Kong next. Cruise planning for 2028: Royal Caribbean unveiled its Alaska lineup for 2028 with four ships (Anthem, Ovation, Serenade, Voyager of the Seas) offering 7-night trips from Seattle, Seward and Vancouver. Premium travel push: Alaska Air Group is courting higher-end flyers with new premium cabins, lounges and loyalty changes, aiming to turn its Hawaiian acquisition into stronger international momentum. On-the-ground travel logistics: A reminder for travelers—Hawaiian is moving international check-in to Terminal 2 and Alaska travelers should allow extra time for checked bags. Travel industry policy shakeups: American Airlines is letting customers mix cash and AAdvantage miles on select domestic bookings (excluding Alaska and Hawaii), while ASTA is petitioning American Express to restore travel-advisor access to card perks. Local Alaska tourism note: Katmai’s Fat Bear Week 2026 crowned “Backpack” as the top contender.

Essential Air Service: Advanced Air was picked as the new Essential Air Service provider for Imperial County Airport, starting Nov. 1 with 24 weekly round trips to Phoenix and Hawthorne, plus shuttle links into Los Angeles. Denali Winter Ops: Federal funding cuts could end Denali National Park sled dog patrols this winter, threatening day-to-day kennel care and winter access for staff. Alaska Airlines Premium Push: Alaska Air Group unveiled new premium experiences—Aurora and Leihōkū—plus a new Premium Reserve cabin debuting in 2028, as it upgrades aircraft interiors and onboard service. Cruise Planning Watch: Royal Caribbean’s 2028 Alaska lineup raises questions about whether Tracy Arm Fjord will return, since the destination isn’t mentioned in the new release. Hawaiʻi Check-In Change: Starting Oct. 3, Hawaiian Airlines international departures at HNL will consolidate check-in and bag drop in Terminal 2, Lobby 4, while neighbor island flights stay at Terminal 1. Local Flavor: Dirty Skillet (Kenai Peninsula) won Alaska Restaurant of the Year at the Alaska CHARR convention.

Alaska Hospitality Win: Bear Creek Lodge’s seasonal Dirty Skillet in the Kenai Peninsula community has been named Alaska Restaurant of the Year by Alaska CHARR, with owners Jeannine and Derrick Jabaay crediting the restaurant’s welcoming, “family” feel. Hawaiʻi Airport Update: Starting Oct. 3, Hawaiian Airlines international check-in and bag drop move to Terminal 2, Lobby 4 at HNL, while Alaska and neighbor-island flights stay at Terminal 1; neighbor-island check-in is now 50 minutes before departure. Airline Loyalty Flex: American Airlines will let AAdvantage members mix cash and miles for eligible domestic bookings (excluding Alaska and Hawaiʻi) via an interactive checkout slider. Premium Travel Push: Alaska Air Group unveiled new premium experiences—Aurora and Leihōkū—plus a new Premium Reserve cabin launching in 2028. Travel Safety Reminder: Winter Weather Preparedness Week highlights Alaska-specific risks like black ice, freezing spray, and falling through ice, urging travelers to plan, pack emergency supplies, and monitor forecasts. Cruise Watch: Holland America is putting Montréal at the center of its 2028 Canada and New England itineraries as U.S.-Canada travel tensions continue.

Arctic Travel & Science: HX Expeditions wrapped its 130th-anniversary Arctic season with 31 sailings, thousands of guests, and a record 26,491 citizen-science submissions, plus a whale-detection trial using thermal imaging and AI on MS Fram. Cruise Etiquette: Aussies heading to the South Pacific are being told to cover up and follow local rules, with cruise lines warning ports could push back if passengers ignore dress norms. Alaska Wildlife & Waste: Kodiak brown bears keep breaking into the landfill, forcing costly containment efforts and raising concerns for visitors and the environment. Airfare Watch: Thanksgiving travel is set to cost more, with Hopper putting average domestic round-trip airfare at $402 and Alaska among states with higher gas prices. Alaska Aviation & Premium: Alaska Airlines is adding seatback screens only for premium cabins on incoming 737 MAX 10 aircraft, while economy will rely on personal devices. Local Tourism Funding: Ketchikan City Council approved artist-made Totem Heritage Center ramp panels and related wastewater upgrades.