Once sufficient landing slots had been obtained in Chicago and San Francisco, United Airlines added nonstop service from each city to Anchorage. On June 10, 1983 a stretch DC-8 opened service from Chicago to Anchorage and return.

This cover was one of only approximately 30 pieces of mail carried on the inaugural United Airlines flight from Anchorage, Alaska to Chicago, Illinois (where it was backstamped) and is listed in The American Air Mail Catalogue as UA-D203E.