It's Back: Fly Nonstop from Anchorage to Far-Eastern Russia This Summer
One of the most unusual routes operated by any commercial airline is returning this summer. Russian airline Yakutia is resuming nonstop service to Anchorage, Alaska, from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky Airport (PKC), located on the Kamchatka Peninsula in the far-east region of Russia. The nonstop service won't be around for long, though. The carrier plans to fly round-trip flights offered on just three dates later this summer.
Yakutia is an airline based Yakutsk, Russia, a city of about 300,000 inhabitants. With its headquarters located in a rather remote region of the world, Yakutia offers some very unique and interesting routes. One of those routes is Yakutia's summer service between the small city of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky and Anchorage.
The service was first launched several years ago. Nonstop flights between the two cities are only offered for a limited time near the end of the summer. Additionally, flights are quite pricey. But even if money were no object, there are a few other hurdles to consider before booking Yakutia's nonstop Russia-Alaska service.
Yakutia's Nonstop Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky-to-Anchorage Flights
As previously mentioned, Yakutia will offer round-trip flights between the two cities on just three dates this summer: Aug. 18, Aug. 25 and Sept. 1. All flights will follow the same schedule:
From Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky (PKC) to Anchorage (ANC):
- Yakutia flight R3509 departs at 8:25pm and arrives at 4:50am, all times local
From Anchorage (ANC) to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky (PKC):
- Yakutia flight R3510 departs at 7am and arrives at 7:45am the next day, all times local
Round-trip flights originating from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky to Anchorage start at around $959 (62,208₽). If you're looking to depart Anchorage and explore Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, flights start at $1,886 (122,443₽) round trip. Although you might expect business class at those fares, they're actually for Yakutia's second-lowest fare class.
If you do want to upgrade to business class, you're out of luck. Yakutia will operate the nonstop flights from Russia to Alaska using a Boeing 737-700 in an all-economy class configuration. If you can look past the high fares, the longest direction (ANC-PKC) is scheduled for just 4 hours and 45 minutes, a flight most would find bearable in coach.
Price, however, is not the only obstacle for Americans looking to explore the Kamchatka Peninsula. American citizens wishing to visit Russia will need to obtain a Russian visa, so you'll need to make sure that's in order before traveling. Russian citizens wishing to visit Anchorage will also have to go through a similar process and pay $160 to apply for a B1/B2 visa to enter the United States.
Bottom Line
Yakutia's nonstop service between Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky (PKC) and Anchorage (ANC) is one possibly one of the world's the most unique regularly scheduled commercial flights. Operating just three round-trip flights over a three-week period, the service is short-lived and quite pricey. However, for travelers looking for an easy way to visit the remote Kamchatka Peninsula, Yakutia's seasonal flights are probably the easiest way to do so.
Flights are available via Yakutia's official website and through Russia tour operators. Of course, before you book one of these flights – even if you plan on transiting through Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky – you will need a valid Russian visa.
