The article discusses the ongoing battle over funding for the Department of Homeland Security in Washington, D.C. and the potential disruption of jet fuel prices and airline schedules. Airlines whose hubs are in the region have seen increased prices, particularly those from Emirates, Qatar Air and Etihad Airways. The cheapest tickets from Alaska to the Lower 48 are on Alaska Airlines’ nonstop flight to Los Angeles, with basic economy tickets costing $270 round-trip between April 25 and May 30. Delta has the cheapest rates: $387 round-trips. If you want to fly to the South Pacific, Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Air are offering a 35% discount on tickets to the Cook Islands.