A new international airline that wants to connect North America with
Asia – via Alaska – is pushing ahead with its plans to buy second-hand
aircraft, secure airport slots, and gain regulatory approvals, all of
which it hopes to accomplish by late 2022.
Northern Pacific Airways will use Anchorage as a hub to connect points in the United States with destinations in Asia.
Nagoya, Osaka, Tokyo, and Seoul are on the airline’s wish list.
New York, Florida, California, Texas and Nevada are likely to be the
departure points in the U.S., with the airline banking on its cheaper
fares to attract those who don’t mind a 90-minute stopover in Anchorage.
The
airline says that clearing US border checks in Anchorage will be faster
than at busy airports like those in New York or San Francisco.
Northern Pacific will operate a fleet of Boeing 757-200s, six of them
purchased from American Airlines, and will offer three economy cabins –
premium economy, extra legroom economy, and economy.
Another point of difference is that passengers will be treated to a
mini-IMAX Theatre experience at Ted Stevens Anchorage International
Airport, where the delights of Alaska will be showcased.
“Our goal is to get people, instead of just doing a quick connection,
to stay and see our great beautiful state, whether it's summer or
winter, stay three or four days,” said Northern Pacific and intrastate
carrier Ravn Alaska CEO, Rob McKinney.
“And then of course we have a fleet of Dash 8 aircraft that crisscross Alaska and take people anywhere they want to go.”