Alaska Airlines today announced new Anchorage-Maui flights beginning Oct. 31. Year-round Seattle-Maui service starts July 17. The Seattle flights will operate daily, year-round. The Anchorage flights will run on Fridays and Saturdays between Oct. 31 and Apr. 25, 2009. 

Intro fares: Alaska Airlines is offering one-way fares of $249 for Seattle-Maui and Anchorage-Maui flights. Taxes and fees are additional.  Purchase your tickets by April 24, 2008, and travel by Dec. 17, 2008.

Flights from Seattle will depart daily at 8:20 a.m. and arrive at 11:35 a.m. Hawaii time. Return flights will depart at 1:05 p.m.  and arrive at 9:45 p.m. Pacific time. Flights from Anchorage will depart Fridays and Saturdays at 2:20 p.m., arriving Maui at 6:35 p.m.  Return flights will depart at 8:45 p.m. Hawaii time and arrive at 5 a.m. Alaska time, the following morning (aka “Red Eye”).

The new flights will be operated with Boeing 737-800 aircraft, with 16  in first class, 141 in back.

Air/hotel packages also are available, including 6 days/5 nights at the ResortQuest Maui Banyan for $861 per person, double. The price includes roundtrip air fare from Anchorage and accommodations in a one-bedroom standard room.

I know it doesn’t look like Maui–but it was sunny and HOT on the ski trails today! That’s downtown Anchorage in the background–right on top of my balding head!