Alaska's largest airport uses 2 terminals, but in reality only one terminal is used for departures and the other is used for international arrivals.

Anchorage Airport is one of the small to medium sized airports in the US and is very well laid out.

The two terminals are connected by a connecting corridor (in the transit area only), which is equipped with a moving walkway. After passing through security, it takes no more than 10 minutes to reach the outermost departure gates.

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Which terminal?

All flights are currently handled in the South Terminal.

There is an immigration checkpoint at the North Terminal, which is only cleared upon arrival in the USA. Therefore, all international flights (e.g. from Frankfurt) stop at the North Terminal, with the exception of flights to/from Canada, which are handled completely without going through immigration.

After arriving from an international destination, you go through passport control at the North Terminal, from which you walk along the sidewalk within 5 minutes to the South Terminal, from where public transport runs.

On departure to your international destination, you will check in at the South Terminal where you will go through security and then move through a covered corridor to the departure gate "N" in the North Terminal.

Transfer between flights

Due to its small size, Anchorage is a very pleasant airport for connecting flights.

It is popular, for example, when travelling from Frankfurt to Hawaii, where partner airlines Condor and Alaska Airlines offer a connection in Anchorage on some flights.

What checks do I go through when I change planes?

After passing through immigration, you collect your luggage and move from the North Terminal to the South Terminal.

You can either walk along the outdoor walkway (about 5 minutes) or use the free airport minibus that runs once every 20 minutes.

The following are the times you can realistically get from plane to plane. The times are valid in case the queue at immigration control is no longer than 60 minutes.

• International -> International: immigration and security check
  • 75 minutes
• International -> domestic: immigration and security check
  • 75 minutes
• National -> International: no check
  • 15-30 minutes
• Domestic -> domestic: no check
  • 15-30 minutes

Do I have to leave the transit zone when I change trains?

If you arrive in Anchorage on an international flight (except flights from Canada), you must exit the transit area, go through immigration and collect your baggage. Check in again and go through security to the transit area.

If you are arriving from another destination within the U.S., you may proceed directly to the connecting gate without any screening, for both domestic and international connecting flights.

Do I need to collect my luggage?

If you are arriving at Anchorage Airport from abroad, you must always collect your baggage and re-deliver it at the transfer check-in counter.

If you are flying from a destination within the U.S. and have a layover of no more than 8 hours, your baggage will be automatically transferred. It does not matter whether you continue on an international or domestic flight.

Do I need to apply for ESTA?

Every time you transfer from an international flight, you must collect your baggage and exit the transit area.

Therefore, you must have an electronic ESTA to enter the United States (for 21 usd online processing at the official website: esta.cbp.dhs.gov).

How long does the immigration check take?

Immigration checks in Anchorage are not long due to the very limited number of international flights. You will usually wait 20 to 45 minutes.

If you have less than 1.5 hours to transfer, it is recommended that you tell the informants that you have a tight transfer before you get in line. In this case, you may be sent to the priority queue.

If you do not make your guaranteed connection due to the length of the immigration check, the airline will arrange the next flight free of charge. However, accommodation at the airline's expense will not be provided in these cases.

Do I go through passport control on departure?

No. There is no longer an immigration check on departure from the USA.