For travelers seeking to broaden their horizons, the landscape of global travel is becoming increasingly interconnected. Alaska Airlines is strengthening its partnership with American Airlines and has announced its intention to become a member of oneworld, the renowned global airline alliance. These strategic developments are set to unlock a world of opportunities for passengers, especially those interested in the extensive network of oneworld partners of American Airlines.
This West Coast international alliance is forging a powerful combination, offering numerous advantages:
- Seamless Mileage Accrual and Redemption: Passengers can now earn and redeem miles on both Alaska Airlines and American Airlines flights, maximizing their rewards across a wider network.
- Elite Status Recognition: Enjoy full elite status reciprocity, ensuring that loyal customers are recognized and rewarded across both airlines.
- Global Lounge Access: Gain entry to nearly 50 American Airlines Admirals Clubs worldwide and seven Alaska Lounges in the U.S. For Alaska Lounge members, a new 8,500-square-foot lounge is also planned for San Francisco International Airport’s Terminal 2 in the fall, enhancing the lounge experience. (Note: Current access restrictions may apply at San Francisco International Terminal 2 Admirals Club due to space limitations.)
- Enhanced Codeshare and International Travel: Benefit from continued domestic codeshare agreements and expanded international travel options from key West Coast hubs like Los Angeles and Seattle. This collaboration ensures smooth booking and travel experiences between Alaska Airlines and American Airlines, and onward connections with oneworld partners of American Airlines.
Alaska Airlines, oneworld and American Airlines partnership announcement
Alaska Airlines’ pursuit of full membership in oneworld, anticipated in summer 2021, will further solidify this alliance. Upon approval, travelers will experience a truly unified journey when flying with Alaska, American, or any oneworld partner airline. This integration promises access to a vast network of 1,200 destinations globally, making it easier than ever to reach almost any corner of the world through oneworld partners of American Airlines.
“This alliance fundamentally expands the world for Alaska Airlines guests, regardless of their travel purpose,” stated Andrew Harrison, Alaska’s executive vice president and Chief Commercial Officer. He also emphasized the importance of this West Coast international alliance for enabling Alaska’s continued independent growth and benefiting employees and communities served.
The essence of this expanded global network is to provide passengers with unparalleled access to international destinations, reciprocal frequent flyer benefits, extensive lounge access, and greater travel choices. The integration of oneworld partners of American Airlines into this network is a significant enhancement.
What This Means for Alaska Mileage Plan Members
For Alaska Mileage Plan members, this alliance translates to enriched opportunities for earning and redeeming miles across an even broader spectrum of domestic and international destinations. Notably, American Airlines has announced new nonstop routes, including Seattle to Bangalore, India (starting October 2020) and Seattle to London (starting spring 2021), further expanding travel possibilities within the oneworld network and with oneworld partners of American Airlines.
Immediate Benefits:
- Mileage Redemption on American Airlines: Mileage Plan members can immediately redeem miles on all American Airlines flights and continue earning miles on American flights when booked with an Alaska flight number.
- Admirals Club Access: Alaska Lounge members now have access to American Airlines’ extensive network of 50 Admirals Club locations worldwide.
- Continued Global Partner Benefits: The existing partnerships with 16 Global Partners remain unchanged, providing continued earning and redemption opportunities.
Coming in Spring 2020:
- Mileage Earning on All American Airlines Flights: Members will begin earning Alaska Mileage Plan miles on all American Airlines flights, both domestic and international, enhancing rewards across the partnership.
Anticipated in Summer 2021:
- Expanded oneworld Mileage Benefits: Mileage Plan members will gain the ability to earn and redeem miles on all oneworld airlines, significantly increasing the value and reach of the program by incorporating oneworld partners of American Airlines.
- Elite Status Privileges Across oneworld: Alaska elites will receive enhanced privileges, including priority boarding, premium seating, and baggage benefits when flying on American Airlines or any oneworld airline, ensuring recognition throughout the alliance.
- Extensive Lounge Network Access: MVP Gold and Gold 75K members will unlock access to approximately 650 lounges within the oneworld network, providing premium lounge experiences worldwide thanks to oneworld partners of American Airlines.
Timeline of Alaska Airlines and oneworld Partnership Benefits Rollout
Milestone Timeline: Alaska, oneworld, American Airlines Partnership Implementation
This is just the initial phase of an exciting journey. More details regarding these benefits will be shared as they become available, ensuring Mileage Plan members are fully informed about leveraging the advantages of oneworld partners of American Airlines.
Q&A: Understanding the Alliance
What are the core benefits of this alliance?
The enhanced relationship with American Airlines, culminating in Alaska Airlines joining oneworld, is designed to open up global travel for passengers. Traveling on Alaska, American, or any oneworld airline will offer a cohesive and connected travel experience, simplifying global journeys and maximizing benefits through oneworld partners of American Airlines.
How many destinations will be accessible through this expanded network?
Upon becoming a full oneworld member, Alaska Airlines will connect passengers to over 1,200 destinations worldwide, creating a truly global network with American Airlines and oneworld partners of American Airlines.
Will the existing partnership between Alaska and American continue?
Yes, the domestic codeshare relationship between Alaska Airlines and American Airlines will continue uninterrupted, forming a strong foundation for the expanded alliance and integration with oneworld partners of American Airlines.
What is the status of Alaska’s current Global Partners?
Alaska Airlines values its 16 Global Partners and intends to maintain these relationships as long as they continue to offer unique benefits to passengers, complementing the offerings of American Airlines and oneworld partners of American Airlines.
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 SFO Terminal 2 is scheduled to close in March. However, a new, larger Alaska Lounge is set to open in Terminal 2 at San Francisco International Airport in Fall 2020, providing an upgraded lounge experience. Note that currently, due to space constraints, Alaska Lounge members do not have access to the Admirals Club in Terminal 2.
This strategic alliance and oneworld membership mark a significant step forward for Alaska Airlines and its passengers, creating a world of enhanced travel possibilities through American Airlines and the extensive network of oneworld partners.
