Alaska Airlines Moves Forward with Plans to Join Oneworld Alliance

Alaska Airlines, which announced plans to join the oneworld alliance at the start of the year, officially became a “oneworld member-elect” following an invitation from the alliance’s governing board.

The decision to join oneworld is part of a sweeping new alliance with current codeshare partner American Airlines, a founding member of oneworld.

“Oneworld will open up a tremendous international network for our business and leisure travellers when they’re ready to start flying overseas again, in addition to greater connectivity around the United States through our network for international visitor,” said the airline’s CEO, Brad Tilden.

Alaska will become the alliance’s 14th member.  It hopes to complete the process of joining by the end of the year.

The move gives members of the Alaska Mileage Plan frequent-flyer program access to oneworld’s 1,200 plus destinations.  Members of the program will be able to earn and redeem miles and points on other member airlines and will receive reciprocal benefits as well, including priority check-in, boarding, access to preferred seating, and free checked bags.

(Photo: Accura Media Group)