It's one of the most travel-worthy scenes on Earth: spotting the Northern Lights.
There are only a few accessible locations with quality views of the colorful aurora borealis. But even if you manage to book a flight and trek out into the wilderness (where visibility is usually best), factors like weather and time of year can mean the natural phenomenon's glow doesn't appear, rendering the entire journey futile.
Alaska Airlines wants to help travelers simplify their quest to see this natural wonder. Not only is its latest flight deal dedicated to one of the best places to view the Northern Lights—Fairbanks, Alaska—but from January 13 to 17 the carrier will offer discounts on tickets based on the forecasted visibility of the aurora borealis. The more intense the Northern Lights are forecasted to be, the deeper the discount on airfare.
Here's how it works: Alaska Airlines flights from the lower 48 states to both Fairbanks and Anchorage will be discounted by up to 35 percent based on the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute’s daily aurora forecast. Scientists measure the aurora's visibility on any given day on a scale called the Kp-index. For the flight deal, savings will increase in set increments based on this visibility forecast. A forecast of 0 to 3 Kp means 15 percent off airfare; 4 to 5 Kp triggers a 20 percent discount; 6 to 7 Kp will save fliers 25 percent, and a strong visibility rating of 8 to 9 Kp means the top savings of 35 percent off flights. Discounts apply for travel through February 12.
In addition to being one of the few places where Americans can see the Northern Lights without a passport, Fairbanks also has one of the longest viewing seasons for the aurora borealis, which stretches from August 21 to April 21. Once there, you'll find many potential perches for watching the arctic light show, including the Aurora Borealis Lodge. Another can't-miss activity is the Chena Hot Springs Resort, about an hour east of Fairbanks.
The flight deal is the latest in a larger strategy from Alaska Airlines to use dynamic pricing in order to entice travelers to make more spontaneous bookings. In November, the airline offered a similar deal to Hawaii, with discounts varying on the size of the surf swell off the islands. "This is just the start of how we’ll use dynamic data in the future to appeal to our flyers’ passions,” Natalie Bowman, Alaska Airlines’ managing director of marketing and advertising, said in a statement.
To book the discounted flights, head to Alaska's dedicated sale's page and enter a departure city in the lower 48 states and a destination of either Fairbanks or Anchorage. Make sure the departure and return dates are between January 13 and February 12. The discount code BOREALIS must also be in the promo field. Then pack your best parka, and get ready to see one of the most dazzling natural spectacles in the world.