Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport

Anchorage, Alaska is situated towards the middle of the large state. Though it is not on the water, visitors can drive about an hour and a half to the sea. Anchorage is one of the larger cities in Alaska, but it is not the capital. The capital is still Juneau despite the inability to drive out of the city. Many families fly or use the ferry system to get off of Juneau and into the rest of the state. Anchorage on the other hand can be driven to from a variety of different towns. Anchorage as a city has the University of Alaska, department stores, and Alaskan shops. It is a destination for many who wish to take a cruise through the inside passage. Anchorage is also close to Denali National Park. Visitors who wish to fly into Anchorage must travel to Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport.

The airport dates back to 1948 when congress approved the funds to create two international airports in Alaska. The other is located in Fairbanks. The Anchorage Airport was built with 8,400 feet of runway to the east and west, and a 5,000 foot runway running north and south. The airport officially opened in 1951. In 1964 Alaska and specifically Anchorage suffered a severe earthquake. The main control tower at the airport was damaged and had to be replaced. By 1970 a hexagon terminal was attached to the airport in order to handle the traffic. In the last few years renovations to the airport have been ongoing. The airport needed a new field maintenance facility and new rental car area.

Ted Stevens International Airport is named after the senator Ted Stevens. The airport was renamed in 2000 to the senator's name. Stevens was a pilot during World War II. He flew with the Flying Tigers and earned two distinguished flying crosses, two air medals, and the Yuan Hai medal. As a person he has been very important, this is why they decided to honor him with the airport name.

Ted Stevens Airport has two terminals as part of the one building. The north terminal houses Crosspoint Cafy, Deli, and a cocktail lounge for visitors. Retail services include a Duty Free Shop, Turnagain VIP Lounge, Smoking Lounge, the Travel Shop/ David Green Furs, and the VIP Denali Lounge.

The south terminal has more locations for food and shopping. Restaurants include Cafy Del Mundo, Chili's Too/ Margarita Bar, Food Kiosk, Hudson Euro Cafy, Legends Lounge, Quizno's, and Starbucks. Retail services include the Alaska Airlines Boardroom, Atwood Military Lounge, Alaska Sports Hall of Fame, Brookstone, Bush Pilot's Barber Shop, Hudson, Internet Kiosk, InMotion Pictures, Moosellaneous, and Mosquito Books. Also at the airport are the Native Art Collection, Right Touch Massage, and Sourdough Mercantile.

To leave the airport a bus system, hotel services, and taxis are available. The airport is located a small distance out of the main city. There are very few hotels or shops around the airport, although a Costco and a few restaurants are a short drive.