US Airport · Alaska

Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC)

Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport is the fifth-busiest cargo airport in the world by tonnage handled, despite serving only around five million passengers a year. Its strategic location nine and a half hours by air from 90% of the world's industrialized centers makes it a critical fuel-stop and trans-shipment hub for FedEx, UPS, and Asian cargo carriers. ANC sits four miles southwest of downtown Anchorage and is the gateway for nearly all visitors to Alaska — a state where most communities have no road connection and air travel is essential. Alaska Airlines operates its largest hub here, with frequent service to Seattle and onward to the Lower 48, plus the unique 'milk run' regional service connecting bush communities. The airport has two passenger terminals (North/Domestic and South/International) connected by an interior walkway.

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Terminals at ANC

Domestic Terminal (North)
Alaska, Delta, United, American, Southwest (seasonal), JetBlue (seasonal), regional carriers
Concourses B and C handle most mainline flights. Alaska Airlines occupies the bulk of Concourse C with its Anchorage hub operation.
South Terminal (International + Cargo Office)
International seasonal, Condor, charter operators
Smaller terminal, mostly used for international charter and seasonal European flights. Some bush carriers also operate from here. Federal Inspection Services facility for arriving international flights.

Getting to Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport

Mode Details Cost Frequency
People Mover Bus Route 7Public transit bus connects the airport to downtown Anchorage with multiple stops. Limited frequency, especially in winter.$2 single rideEvery 30-60 min
Taxi or rideshareDesignated taxi rank outside arrivals. Rideshare pickup at the dedicated lot. Downtown Anchorage is 8-12 minutes off-peak.$20-30 to downtownOn demand
Hotel shuttlesMost downtown Anchorage hotels and many lodges offer free or low-cost shuttles. Confirm at booking.Free with hotel booking typicalVaries by operator
Rental carAll major rental car brands operate from the consolidated rental car center. Recommended for visitors planning to explore beyond Anchorage — Alaska's road network requires planning.From $40-80/dayCounter hours vary

Parking at ANC

Tier Rate Shuttle Best for
Short-term garage$30/day maxWalk to terminalShort stays and meet-and-greet
Long-term garage$15/day maxWalk to terminal (5-7 min)Trips of 1-2 weeks
Economy Lot$10/dayFree shuttle every 15 minTrips of two weeks or longer

Lounges at ANC

Alaska Lounge
📍 Concourse C, near Gate C2
Alaska Lounge membership, eligible international business, oneworld Sapphire and above

Top destinations from ANC

Destination Country From
Los Angeles (LAX)United States$249Open route guide →
New York (JFK)United States$449Open route guide →
Miami (MIA)United States$449Open route guide →
Chicago (ORD)United States$249Open route guide →
Las Vegas (LAS)United States$249Open route guide →
Orlando (MCO)United States$449Open route guide →

Airlines at ANC

5 things you didn't know about Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport

Verified by the CompareFlights team

    Frequently asked about ANC

    Is Anchorage a major US airport?

    By passenger count, ANC is mid-sized — around five million annual passengers. By cargo, it is the fifth-busiest airport in the world, handling more freight than Atlanta, Los Angeles, or JFK. Its position roughly equidistant by air between Asia, North America, and Europe makes it a critical refueling and trans-shipment hub for FedEx, UPS, and Asian carriers like Cathay Cargo and Korean Air Cargo.

    How do I get to Anchorage from the rest of Alaska?

    Most Alaska communities have no road connection to Anchorage and rely on air service from ANC. Alaska Airlines operates the 'milk run' connecting Anchorage to Juneau, Petersburg, Wrangell, Ketchikan, and Sitka via 737s with multiple stops. Smaller bush carriers like Ravn Alaska serve interior and bush communities with smaller aircraft.

    Is ANC open year-round?

    Yes, 24/7. Anchorage's runways are designed for extreme cold weather operations and the airport rarely closes for snow. The biggest weather impact is volcanic ash from the Aleutian volcanoes, which has occasionally suspended operations — the most disruptive recent event being Mount Redoubt's 2009 eruption.

    Can I see wildlife from the airport?

    Occasionally yes. The airport's perimeter sits next to Lake Hood and the Cook Inlet, and moose, bald eagles, and even brown bears have been spotted near the terminal area. Wildlife strikes are a known operational risk and the airport has an active wildlife management program.

    Nearby airports

    Fairbanks International (FAI)
    260 mi N (air)
    Interior Alaska gateway; Alaska Airlines operates daily flights
    Juneau International (JNU)
    570 mi SE (air)
    State capital; Alaska Airlines milk-run stop
    Merrill Field (MRI)
    5 mi NE
    General aviation airport in Anchorage; small aircraft only