Alaska Airlines, which happens to operate one of my favourite airlines, as well as Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan, one of my favourite programmes, just got a shot in the arm. With the backing of American Airlines, Alaska Airlines one world membership will move forward.

Alaska Airlines oneworld admission by 2021

It has been announced today that Alaska Airlines will be joining the oneworld alliance by the summer of 2021. Back in 2018, the airline was considering joining as a oneworld connect member, but now, they are proceeding as a full member of the alliance.

Alaska Airlines will join at a time when Royal Air Maroc will be joining the oneworld alliance in 2020 and LATAM will be exiting the alliance.

Alaska Airlines is already a partner with many oneworld airlines, including Qantas, Finnair, Japan Airlines, British Airways and Cathay Pacific for their Mileage Plan programme. American Airlines and Alaska Airlines were partners as well, but the relationship was going to be closed in 2020. This won’t be the case anymore, and the partnership continues. Alaska Airlines coming onboard oneworld would mean that more oneworld airlines will be earnable and redeemable with Alaska Airlines.

However, this might also mean that Alaska Airlines may raise prices on their very lucrative award charts or come up with some new redemption rules which will stall the way things work at the moment for the customers. Also, what happens to the other partnerships Alaska Airlines has, for instance, with Emirates and Singapore Airlines?

Alaska Airlines claims that the 16 partnerships will continue,

Our 16 Global Partners are very valuable and we’ll keep them as long as they continue to provide a unique value to our guests.

Partnership with American Airlines on the Pacific Northwest

Delta had, over the years, become a significant force to deal with at Seattle, has made it an international hub for itself. Alaska and American may be working together to counter this impact, apart from also working on an expanded partnership on the newly announced Seattle/Bangalore flight from American Airlines. With this move, Alaska Airline will become the second oneworld airline in the United States. Here are the benefits for members.

• the ability to earn and use miles on both Alaska and American
• full elite status reciprocity
• lounge access to nearly 50 American Admirals Clubs worldwide and seven Alaska Lounges in the U.S.
• continued domestic codeshare and expanded international travel from Los Angeles and Seattle for hassle-free booking and travel between Alaska and American Airlines

What do you think of Alaska Airlines joining oneworld?