As technology improved, their were significant changes in commercial air. Jets were introduced to commercial air in the 1960's. Alaska Airlines became the first airline to use jets. Alaska Airlines was followed closely by Pan America Airways and Pacific Northern Airways. Jets really speeded up travel. The pistol aircraft used in the first half of the century took six to eight hours to fly from seatle to anchorage while jets made the flight in only three hours.

To fly the jets, better landing facilities were required. In 1962 the state legislature authorized two airport construction programs. One, called the bush program, was for remote communities. The other, called the trunk program, was for larger settlements like Fairbanks. The continuing airport construction caused a change in transportation patterns. First twin-engined aircrafts then jets replaced flying boats and float planes.

The airfield built in Sitka was one of the largest. It's construction alone cost more than six million dollars, which was more than both airports in Fairbanks and Anchorage. It cost so much because it had to be created by filling in water between small islands. the Savoogna Airport was notable because it allowed the last dog team mail route to retire.

By the 1980's, Alaska was one of the highest users of the aircraft. Most people coming to and from alaska went on an airplane. There were as many private planes registered as private vehicles. By 1983, Alaska had seven times as many aircraft and 72 times as many commuter aircraft as the average in the rest of the states.