Alaska Airlines has become the 14th full member of the Oneworld airline alliance, just over a year after the carrier first announced plans to join the group.
As with the inauguration of Royal Air Maroc into the alliance last year, the Covid-19 pandemic meant celebrations were limited to a virtual media event, during which Alaska Airlines’ CEO Ben Minicucci said that the carrier was 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,” said Minicucci. “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.”
Alaska Mileage Plan members can now earn miles when they fly with Oneworld’ carriers, and the alliance said that “Mileage redemption for flights on airlines that Alaska did not have previous partnerships with will occur in the coming months”.
“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 US West Coast,” said Oneworld CEO Rob Gurney. “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.”
Alaska Airlines joins American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Iberia, Japan Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Royal Air Maroc, Royal Jordanian, S7 Airlines and SriLankan Airlines as the group’s 14th full member, with Fiji Airways the alliance’s first Connect Partner.
There are also over 20 affiliate members, including Japan Airlines-owned regional carriers Japan Air Commuter and Hokkaido Air System which joined last year.
But LATAM left the alliance in 2020, after Skyteam member Delta took a 20 per cent stake in the group.
LATAM leaves Oneworld, signs trans-American joint venture with Delta
