I just came across this interesting piece of news about Delta offering flights between Phoenix and Fairbanks for as low as $279 roundtrip. As someone who's flown this route before, I can tell you this is a seriously good deal - these tickets usually run $500+, especially during peak season. The basic economy is $279, while regular economy is $339, and both include taxes which is pretty sweet.
What really catches my eye here is the relatively small $60 jump to regular economy. Having done the basic economy dance before (and sometimes regretted it), that extra bit gets you advance seat selection and a normal carry-on. For a long haul to Alaska, that peace of mind might be worth the upgrade. This could be a game-changer for folks wanting to see the northern lights or experience midnight sun without breaking the bank. Plus, the Phoenix-Fairbanks route isn't super common, so this opens up some interesting possibilities for desert dwellers wanting to experience the Last Frontier.
How do you think this will affect tourism? I'm particularly curious if we'll see more Arizonans heading north for summer relief from the heat!

