Today, Alaska Airlines formally joined the oneworld alliance, making it that 14th full member to join.
The airline joined the alliance after being invited in July 2020 – a mere 8 months (a rather rapid join).
With its membership in the alliance, Alaska will add seven new airline partners and enhance its six existing partnerships with oneworld members, expanding the oneworld network to 1,000 destinations across more than 170 countries and territories.
Loyalty
As of today, all Alaska Mileage Plan members can earn miles when they fly any of the other 13 member airlines of oneworld. Mileage redemption for flights on airlines that Alaska did not have previous partnerships with will occur in the coming months.
Meanwhile, for loyalty, Alaska’s elite Mileage Plan members automatically receive matching oneworld tier status depending on their current status
- MVP Gold 75K = oneworld Emerald
- MVP Gold = oneworld Sapphire
- MVP = oneworld Ruby
Depending on tier status, you’ll be able to access a variety of privileges – such as lounge access, fast track through security and priority baggage benefits.
Members with Emerald, Sapphire or Ruby status in any oneworld member airline’s frequent flyer program will be able to use priority check-in desks, where available. Also, guests with Emerald or Sapphire status will be offered priority boarding.
Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-900ER, with oneworld billboard livery – Image, Alaska Airlines.
There’s a Global Safety Dance
We’ll cover this, as for no other reason, other than it’s a chance to play “spot the airline uniform”
In Quotes
Ben Minicucci, Alaska’s CEO said
“Joining oneworld is joining a family of the best airlines in the world,”
“Being a part of the alliance allows us to provide fantastic global connectivity, a seamless travel experience and more valuable loyalty offerings for our guests. This alliance transforms Alaska into a truly global airline, connecting our strong West Coast network and destinations across North America with the worldwide reach of our oneworld partners.”
oneworld CEO Rob Gurney added
“With Alaska Airlines now part of oneworld, we are excited to offer to customers even more destinations and flights, strengthened by Alaska’s leading network on the U.S. West Coast,”
“For oneworld top-tier customers, the joining of Alaska will provide even more opportunities for their status to be recognised as we look forward to a recovery in international travel.”
oneworld Governing Board Chairman and Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce said.
“We’re delighted to welcome Alaska to the oneworld family. As the industry recovers from COVID, airline alliances are going to be more important than ever. Alaska will be an asset to the alliance, positioning oneworld to deliver even more value to our customers and member airlines,”
American Airlines President Robert Isom said
“Alaska has been an outstanding partner to American for nearly 40 years and we’re excited to do even more together in the years to come,”
“By connecting American’s strength in long-haul international flying and Alaska’s strong presence along the West Coast, we’re building a better network for our customers than either airline could build alone.”
14 members
oneworld is now 14 carriers large as full members, featuring the following members:
- Alaska Airlines
- American Airlines
- British Airways
- Cathay Pacific
- Finnair
- Iberia
- Japan Airlines
- Malaysia Airlines
- Qantas
- Qatar Airways
- Royal Air Maroc
- Royal Jordanian
- S7 Airlines
- SriLankan Airlines.
Fiji Airways is an oneworld connect partner, which has limited benefits for connecting oneworld passengers
A future of connections
With Alaska Airlines completing joining oneworld alliance, it should offer those who have connections in the West Coast of the USA. For Alaska passengers who have been used to connections, there will be a lot more of them for those who want to use their miles to travel beyond the USA…
… when countries open their borders.
For now, more earning and burning opportunities ahead, it could open up some doors.
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