Alaska Time (AKT)

Alaska Time (AKT) is a time zone used in most parts of the U.S. state of Alaska, excluding the far western Aleutian Islands. It operates on Alaska Standard Time (AKST) at UTC−9 during the fall and winter months, and shifts to Alaska Daylight Time (AKDT) at UTC−8 during daylight saving time in the spring and summer. Key cities in this time zone include Anchorage, Juneau, and Fairbanks.

Importance and Global Use of Alaska Time

Alaska Time is crucial for managing operations across one of the most geographically vast and strategically important U.S. states. It ensures consistent scheduling across transportation, government services, emergency response, and energy production, all of which are vital to Alaska's economy and infrastructure. The use of a separate time zone helps maintain a more practical daily rhythm for communities spread across high-latitude regions.

Internationally, AKT plays a role in Arctic coordination, defense operations, and cross-border communication with Canada and Pacific Rim countries. Its unique position between Pacific Time and Hawaiian Time also supports regional logistics and aviation routing across North America and the northern Pacific.

Where and When AKT is used worldwide

North America

US states using AKST during winter and AKDT during summer:

• Alaska – most of the state, except the Aleutian Islands west of 169°30′ West (which observe HAST/HADT time zones)