A new airline is planning to offer travelers low cost flights between the U.S. and Asia. Set to take off in autumn of this year, North Pacific Airlines is set to trade the convenience of direct flights between the US and Asia for lower prices with a connecting flight in between, and is looking to serve four markets in Asia from five different airports across the U.S. – hopefully just in time for a general easing of restrictions across the globe.
Low prices isn’t all North Pacific has to offer passengers. The budget airline is also looking beyond traditional air miles loyalty programs in favor of a cryptocurrency model that will see passengers earn crypto to invest, trade or use on related services. Here’s what we know about North Pacific Airlines so far, including where it’ll be flying to, which aircraft it will be using and more about their ambitious crypto rewards program.
North Pacific Airlines – Information For Travelers
Hoping to take off in the latter half of 2022, North Pacific Airlines is set to be the latest of several new airlines that has launched during the pandemic, at a time when many other traditional airlines are struggling. However, whilst other new arrivals to the scene have been airlines offering shorter distance flights, North Pacific has set its sights on offering travelers long haul options to Asia at more than affordable prices – but there’s a catch.
According to its website, North Pacific is hoping to “serve cities in the states of New York, Florida, California, Texas, and Nevada, with direct flights to cities in Japan and Korea through Anchorage over the Northern route.” Refuelling stops in Anchorage were once the norm for flights heading to Asia, but the evolution of modern aircraft saw the stop phased out of most journeys. Now, North Pacific hopes to make the stop in Anchorage not just a layover, but a feature.
According to Rob McKinney, the chief executive officer of Northern Pacific and sister airline Ravn Alaska, the airline is aiming to replicate the success of Icelandair Group, who helped to transform Reykjavik from a stopover locationo to a destination in itself. “The goal is to encourage people to spend a day or two here and go salmon fishing, or go ride a sled dog on a glacier, or just all kinds of things you can only do here in Alaska,” McKinney said.
As well as helping to put Alaska on the map, North Pacific will also be carving out their own niche when it comes to loyalty programs. North Pacific will offer a crypto-based loyalty program, FlyCoin, which will be able to be used not just on flight vouchers, but also at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, after several merchants agreed to accept the currency.
Taking passengers to Alaska and Asia will be some of the slickest looking airplanes around. Northern Pacific’s fleet of aircraft will consist of 757-200 narrow body aircraft, an airplane noted for its fuel efficiency and range and referred to as like a “sports car” by pilots due to its light weight performance abilities . Each will be capable of carrying 200 passengers, and will be donning striking black and white livery” inspired by the night sky, Northern Lights, ice and snow.”
Travelers keen to fly Northern Pacific will have to wait, though. The airline is hoping to have as many as 12 of its aircraft in the skies by the time the fourth quarter of 2022 rolls around, but it the airline’s website states that its proposed flights are “subject to government approval.” An official launch date has yet to be confirmed by the airline, but travelers keen for a return to Asia – or Alaska – are bound to be following with intrigue.
