For Alaska Airlines flyers eager to explore the world, the horizon just expanded dramatically. Building upon a strong foundation, Alaska Airlines is strengthening its ties with American Airlines and charting a course to join oneworld, the premier global airline alliance. These strategic advancements promise to unlock a world of destinations and benefits for Alaska’s valued guests, creating a powerful West Coast international alliance.
This exciting development means a host of advantages are on the horizon:
- Seamlessly earn and redeem Alaska Mileage Plan miles on both Alaska Airlines and American Airlines flights, maximizing reward opportunities.
- Enjoy full elite status reciprocity, ensuring recognition and benefits across both airline networks.
- Gain access to an extensive network of lounges, including nearly 50 American Airlines Admirals Clubs worldwide and seven signature Alaska Lounges across the U.S. (Please note that current space constraints limit Alaska Lounge member access to the Admirals Club in San Francisco International Terminal 2. However, a brand-new, spacious 8,500-square-foot Alaska Lounge is set to open in Terminal 2 this fall, offering enhanced comfort and amenities. Boarding pass and guest restrictions will apply.)
- Benefit from continued domestic codeshare agreements and expanded international routes from key West Coast hubs like Los Angeles and Seattle, simplifying booking and travel coordination between Alaska and American Airlines.
Looking ahead, Alaska Airlines is pursuing full membership into the oneworld alliance, with integration anticipated in the summer of 2021. This pivotal membership, combined with the deepened American Airlines alliance, will provide passengers with effortless access to a staggering network of 1,200 destinations worldwide.
“This alliance is a game-changer, opening up a world of possibilities for Alaska Airlines guests, whether their journeys are for business or leisure,” stated Andrew Harrison, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer at Alaska Airlines. “Critically, for our dedicated employees and the diverse communities we proudly serve, this West Coast international alliance fuels Alaska’s sustainable, independent growth trajectory.”
Once oneworld formally approves Alaska’s membership, travelers flying with Alaska, American, or any oneworld partner airline will experience a unified and streamlined travel experience, regardless of their chosen carrier or destination.
Importantly, Alaska Airlines remains committed to its existing and highly valued Global Partners, ensuring continued benefits and options for its loyal flyers.
This expanded global network is a direct response to what Alaska Airlines guests value most: extensive international travel options, reciprocal frequent flyer benefits that truly reward loyalty, comfortable lounge access, and an abundance of choices to explore the globe. This move solidifies Alaska Airlines as a key player in connecting travelers to the world through strategic partnerships like the Aa One World Partners alliance.
Alaska Airlines and American Airlines expanding partnership to join Oneworld alliance
What This Alliance Means for Alaska Mileage Plan Members
For members of the Alaska Mileage Plan, this alliance translates to exciting new horizons for earning and redeeming miles across a significantly expanded network of domestic and international destinations. This announcement coincides with American Airlines unveiling groundbreaking new routes, including the first-ever nonstop flight from Seattle to Bangalore, India, slated to begin in October 2020, and new service from Seattle to London, commencing in spring 2021.
Benefits are rolling out in phases, starting immediately:
- Immediate Effect: Alaska Mileage Plan members can now redeem miles for travel on all American Airlines flights. Continue to accrue miles on American Airlines flights when booked with an Alaska flight number, maximizing your earning potential.
- Lounge Access Now Available: Alaska Lounge members now have access to any of American Airlines’ 50 Admirals Club locations globally, enhancing travel comfort and convenience.
- Global Partner Continuity: Continue to earn and redeem Mileage Plan miles with Alaska’s existing portfolio of 16 Global Partners, ensuring your current benefits remain unchanged.
Coming Spring 2020:
- Earn Miles on All American Flights: Alaska Mileage Plan members will be able to earn miles on all American Airlines flights, both domestically and internationally, significantly increasing earning opportunities.
Anticipated Summer 2021:
- **oneworld Airline Rewards: Start earning and redeeming Alaska Mileage Plan miles on all one**world airlines, opening up a vast network of global travel possibilities.
- Elite Status Recognition Across oneworld: Alaska Airlines elite members will receive elevated privileges, including priority boarding, preferred seating options, and baggage benefits when flying on American Airlines or any one**world member airline.
- Extensive Lounge Network Access: MVP Gold and Gold 75K members will gain access to over 650 lounges within the expansive oneworld network, providing unparalleled lounge access worldwide.
This is just the initial phase of benefits, with more exciting details to be shared as they become available. Alaska Airlines is committed to keeping its guests informed every step of the way.
Timeline of Alaska Airlines joining Oneworld and expanding American Airlines partnership benefits
Alaska Airlines, Oneworld, and American Airlines logos representing the new partnership
Timeline of Key Milestones:
Today
- Redeem Alaska miles on all American Airlines flights.
- Alaska Lounge members gain access to American’s 50 Admirals Club locations.
- Continue earning and redeeming miles with existing 16 Global Partners.
Spring 2020
- Begin earning Alaska miles on all American Airlines flights, domestic and international.
Fall 2020
- American Airlines launches nonstop service between Seattle and Bangalore, India.
Spring 2021
- American Airlines launches nonstop service between Seattle and London-Heathrow.
Summer 2021
- Earn and redeem Alaska miles on all oneworld® airlines.
- Alaska elites enjoy privileges across oneworld® airlines.
- MVP Gold and MVP Gold 75k members access 650+ oneworld® lounges.
Q&A: Understanding the Alliance
What are the core benefits of this alliance?
Strengthening the relationship with American Airlines through a West Coast international alliance and joining oneworld significantly enhances travel options for Alaska Airlines guests. Traveling on Alaska, American, or a oneworld airline will feel like a cohesive and connected travel experience, regardless of the carrier or destination.
How many destinations will be accessible through this expanded network?
Upon full oneworld membership, Alaska Airlines will connect guests to over 1,200 destinations across the globe.
Will the existing partnership with American Airlines continue?
Yes, the domestic codeshare relationship between Alaska and American Airlines will remain unchanged and continue to provide value to travelers.
What is the status of Alaska’s current Global Partners?
Alaska Airlines values its 16 Global Partners and will maintain these relationships as long as they continue to offer unique benefits and value to Alaska’s guests.
Will Alaska Lounge members gain access to the American Airlines Admirals Club in Terminal 2 at San Francisco International Airport (SFO)?
The Admirals Club in Terminal 2 at SFO is scheduled to close in March as American Airlines relocates to Terminal 1. However, travelers will have access to the new, state-of-the-art 8,500-square-foot Alaska Lounge opening in Terminal 2 at San Francisco International Airport in Fall 2020. Please note that currently, due to space limitations, Alaska Lounge members do not have access to the Admirals Club in SFO Terminal 2.
