Archive for April 11th, 2008

American Airlines continues to cancel hundreds of flights each day, effectively stranding tens of thousands of travelers. Because the cancellations involve safety inspections, there is no easy way around this mess–just be sure and check to make sure you’re not flying on any American Airlines flights. IMPORTANT: Some of your Alaska Airlines flights are operated by American Airlines because of “code-share” agreements. You have to go over your itinerary carefully to make sure no American segments are included. If they are–call Alaska Airlines to reschedule. MORE IMPORTANT: Oh, don’t bother calling American Airlines. They are not answering their phones. If you do happen to get through, you’re likely to get bad information from well-meaning people who simply don’t have the up-to-date bad news. Read William Allen’s take on the “AA-holes”. Let us pray.

Got a nice note from the folks at Condor reminding us that they offer nonstop service from Anchorage and Fairbanks to Frankfurt, Germany. We flew Condor last year–they do a great job. You’ll save a full day in either direction between Alaska and Europe–as opposed to traveling via the Lower 48. 

Here’s a brief rundown of their flight dates this summer:

Anchorage-Frankfurt: Tuesdays May 6-Oct. 7 . The return flight from Frankfurt stops in Whitehorse en route to ANC.

Anchorage-Frankfurt: Saturdays May 24-Sept. 27.  Nonstop in both directions.

Anchorage-Frankfurt: Sundays Jun. 1-Sept. 7.  Nonstop in both directions.

Fairbanks-Frankfurt: Thursdays May 22-Oct. 2. The return flight from Frankfurt stops in Whitehorse en route to FAI.

Here’s a big Condor 767 on the ground in Whitehorse. We flew with them to Frankfurt last year.

David Rowell writes: “Frontier Airlines has just filed for Chapter 11, but says it will continue flying its full schedule of flights. It says it needed to do this when its credit card processing company increased the amount of payments that it ‘holds back’ from the airline, messing up the carrier’s tightly stretched cash-flow.” Frontier offers seasonal service between Anchorage and Denver, starting May 5.

We’re going to Kodiak!

Wanna come along? There’s plenty to do. To start with, this year marks the 50th Anniversary of CrabFest, the big community-wide event over Memorial Day (May 22-26).

I’m staying at Marty and Marion’s new B-n-B on the water. Learn all about it on the website. Check out the photo. Marion took it from the deck–just as the Trusty Tusty (aka m/v Tustumena) was pulling out on its ferry run to Homer.

No doubt I’ll be sampling some fine beer at the Kodiak Island Brewery. I’m flying over on Era Aviation. Renting a car from Avis.

Time to caffeinate? No fear. Head over to Mill Bay Coffee Company. Not only does Martine fix a glorious espresso from locally-roasted beans. Mais non! Ce n’est pas finit! You must have a French pastry–something sweet that Joel whipped up in the kitchen. I’ll be a better man–and a bigger one, too.

Mary Stephenson has a booth right at the harbor, where she books activities for everyone: fishing, bear viewing, flightseeing, ATV tours, kayaking…and more. Did I say everything? I meant e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g. Call her at: (907)486-8766.

Sushi? Head to the Old Powerhouse restaurant. Best sushi in town.

Local stuff? I love visiting the two museums right downtown (walk from the ferry terminal): the Aluutiq Museum and the Baranov House. But don’t miss the military museum out at Ft. Abercrombie. We visited the museum last fall and actually did a video!

No kidding: plan your trip to Kodiak today. If you can get to Anchorage, climb aboard either Alaska Airlines or Era Aviation for great $79 one-way fares each weekend between now and May 31. If I see you at Crabfest, I’ll buy you a Crab Sandwich!!