Alaska Airlines joining Oneworld

[Alyopsis]

I believe there is a big announcement coming from Alaska Airlines tomorrow which could have significant implications for its frequent flyer program and what you can do with it.

 

[Toula92122]

And not trying to be negative, but my mind immediately jumps to none of it being for the better of the consumer. I am interested in these changes as my husband has status with Alaska but does earn by flying Alaskan.

 

[Gold Member]

Noooooooo.... this is my US Airways Dividend Miles nephew.

 

[theblank]

is that going to be their tomorrow or our tomorrow?

 

[SeatBackForward]

Hmm...
have a couple of flights with them later this month....hmmmm...

 

[Toula92122]

Alaska Airlines plans to join oneworld® alliance | Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines plans to join the oneworld® alliance and expand its relationship with American Airlines. Together, the two airlines will offer West Coast flyers expanded reach and traveling on Alaska, American or any oneworld® partner will feel like one connected travel experience.

www.alaskaair.com

And they are joining OneWorld

 

[Toula92122]

I guess my big question is what will happen with their special alliances with Singapore Airlines and Condor? When I'm looking for flights from US to Asia, the best availablity is on Singapore if you want to go in premium class. If they lose Singapore there will be nothing as American is their usual useless self, not releasing seats in Business or First. Even looking for seats in July to Hong Kong AA is up to their usual tricks with only seats in economy available.

 

[Mattg]

Well I wasn't expecting that!

There are lots of interesting implications to this announcement. The first one that comes to mind is "should I switch from Qantas Frequent Flyer to Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan?". In its current form, Alaskan has a brilliant frequent flyer program - it's just a shame that it's so hard to earn Mileage Plan miles in Australia. But if crediting flights to Alaskan means you can earn Oneworld status, that's a big plus and might be enough to sway me if they don't massively devalue the program between now and joining Oneworld in mid-2021.

The announcement that American Airlines will launch a direct flight from Seattle to Bangalore is also fascinating - seems random, but according to AA, BLR has lots of corporate traffic and flying from SEA means their 787s have the range to fly there non-stop. AA will also launch a SEA-LHR flight, so perhaps Seattle will become a small hub for AA in the future (in partnership with Alaskan).

 

[Mattg]

I guess my big question is what will happen with their special alliances with Singapore Airlines and Condor? When I'm looking for flights from US to Asia, the best availablity is on Singapore if you want to go in premium class. If they lose Singapore there will be nothing as American is their usual useless self, not releasing seats in Business or First. Even looking for seats in July to Hong Kong AA is up to their usual tricks with only seats in economy available.

According to Alaskan, these partnerships are all staying (at least for now).

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.

 

[SeatBackForward]

Alaskan joining OW is pretty cool.

For me personally, grr.. Nothing immediately that's beneficial.

 

[SeatBackForward]

I imagine SEA>BLR could confuse a RTW ticket a bit.

 

[Himeno]

I imagine SEA>BLR could confuse a RTW ticket a bit.

How so? AA used to fly Chicago to Delhi and it counted as flying via Europe, just like the EU/ME-AU flights count as flying via Asia.

AS joining oneworld is surprising, having partnerships of some sort with everyone, saying repeatedly for ages that they wouldn't join any alliance and reducing their partnership with AA over the last few years.

 

[serfty]

I guess it is not that much different than QF with EK.

I guess my big question is what will happen with their special alliances with Singapore Airlines and Condor?

 

[Mattg]

How so? AA used to fly Chicago to Delhi and it counted as flying via Europe, just like the EU/ME-AU flights count as flying via Asia.

Seattle-Bangalore doesn't go anywhere near Europe, though. (I suppose that won't stop Oneworld from listing it as being via Europe in the Oneworld Explorer fare rules.)

AS joining oneworld is surprising, having partnerships of some sort with everyone, saying repeatedly for ages that they wouldn't join any alliance and reducing their partnership with AA over the last few years.

Reminds me a little bit of VA.

 

[serfty]

Seattle-Bangalore doesn't go anywhere near Europe

ORD-DEL did get somewhat closer to Europe but the rules existed specifically.



Initially an addendum:

Please be informed that ONEWORLD Fare Conditions revised
with IMMEDIATE effect 01JUN06:


A. ONEWORLD EXPLORER FARE
PARAGRAPH 4 - ADD POINT K FOR DEL-ORD TRAVEL
PARAGRAPH K - NONSTOP TRAVEL BETWEEN DEL AND CHI-ORD-
IS PERMITTED. FOR TRAVEL EX ASIA/NORTH
AMERICA - WHEN THIS SERVICE IS UTILISED
A MINIMUM OF A 3 CONTINENTS FARE MUST
BE CHARGED. E.G. HKG CX DEL AA ORD AA
JFK CX HKG ROUTING PERMITTED USING
3 CONTINENT FARE, THIS IS DUE TO
DEL-CHI OPERATES ATLANTIC ROUTE.

... and then full included in the rules:

4. FLIGHT APPLICATION/ROUTINGS

...

(m) Nonstop transatlanticTravel on AA between DEL and ORD is permitted.
For travel ex South America/South West Pacific – when this service
is utilised a minimum of a 4 Continent Fare must be charged.
For travel ex North America/Asia – when this service is utilised a
minimum of a 3 continent fare must be charged.

 

[opusman]

When are OW going to find a replacement for South America, that's what I want to know.

 

[justinbrett]

I guess QF SYD-SEA is looking pretty good now. Bring it on!

 

[Bundy Bear]

I wasn’t expecting that.

 

[Gold Member]

This news was kept under wraps very well. Not a single blogger knew or even speculated about it.

Keen to see if they maintain their earn/burn rates and extend them to the full suite of OW airlines on all routes. The cynic in me suggests AA will force them to Enhance their FFP. If not, CX and QF awards via AS just got a lot more exciting.

 

[RooFlyer]

The announcement that American Airlines will launch a direct flight from Seattle to Bangalore is also fascinating - seems random, but according to AA, BLR has lots of corporate traffic and flying from SEA means their 787s have the range to fly there non-stop.

Bangalore is an IT hub, I think, if so definitely a good reason to connect the two cities.

According to Alaskan, these partnerships are all staying (at least for now).

I'd expect or hope that they would continue ... just like QF and LATAM after LATAM leaves OW.


Maybe now, I can use my huge store of Alaskan Miles instead of futilely looking for CX or AY space on selected routes!