Alaska Airlines joining Oneworld

[SeatBackForward]

Any news on the opening of their SFO lounge this year?

 

[I love to travel]

Interesting development especially for potential merger opportunities. I think AA are a bit weak at LAX too whilst Alaska has quite a few flights to other destinations from LAX.

 

[docjames]

It’s a good result and lower risk to both than a merger (which may be where it ends up in time, but AA still have indigestion from their last purchase, and AS barely have the paint dry on the Virgin jets yet).

AS strong on the west coast (and down to mexico) with their own loyal business travellers, AA stronger in the Midwest and east with their loyal travellers. Good blend for both to keep their customers happy (and not leak to DL/UA). Makes you wonder what AA/AS were thinking when there was the plan to disband the codesharing.

AS joining oneworld a great result too, opens some options.

Still doesn’t solve Oneworld’s Sth America problem now LA has gone.

 

[SeaWolf]

Well, after a drought of almost six years with no airlines joining any of the alliances there's now two of them announcing joining oneworld in less than a month!
oneworld probably needs new members much more badly than the other two so it makes sense that it's them.
Hopefully this might kick off a bit more expansion in the other two as well.

 

[p--and--t]

Good news.

AS has some good connections for Aussies doing Alaskan cruises. i.e. to LAX-YVR, SFO-VYR, ANC-SEA etc

 

[jase05]

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

Maybe GOL will come into the picture seeing as though they have strengthened ties with AA.
Most definitely a huge hole in South America now though

 

[Danger]

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

Alaska seems to have a much bigger range of partners across all three alliances, though.

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

Indeed. Full points to Alyopsis. Where's your blog? I wanna follow.

 

[fn0]

I hope that this will make it easier to use Alaska miles for Canada-Australia award seats on routes which are currently available to Qantas members but not to Alaska Mileage Plan folks. It appears the availability of routes and seats is not the same (i.e. less) when booking through Alaska as it is through Qantas. At least that's what Alaska told me when I could see Mileage Plan award seats YVR to SFO and connecting seats from SFO to MEL on Qantas, but no seat availability on the same flight booked through (YVR-SFO-MEL). Let's hope Alaska does not rejig its award charts.

Note that Alaska Mileage Plan rewards between Canada and Australia on Fiji Airline for bookings made before 29 Feb are at discounted rates: 20,000 miles economy, 40,000 miles business each way, instead of about 42,500 and 55,000. Don't know if there's any availability though.

 

[PineappleSkip]

Dumb question. Never set foot inside an AS plane, closest I came was changing trains at Seattle. What are they like to ride on?

cheers skip

 

[Revenge]

Depends if you get a legacy Virgin America plane or a proper Alaska plane

Good airline. Glad to see them joining. Strengthens their existing partnerships with QF, AA and BA.

 

[V Singh]

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

Good news..Any addition to OW family in my opinion is good news to OW travel community.

 

[p--and--t]

Dumb question. Never set foot inside an AS plane, closest I came was changing trains at Seattle. What are they like to ride on?

cheers skip

A few years back - didn't experience any issues, LCC feel (typical for USA) and reasonable fares, reasonable leg room and generous with up top luggage. They were the best option for me to connect with an inside passage cruise I was doing. But had mild case of panic when I looked out over the wing and there seemed to be rust marks around the rivets and the faux "leather" on the seats was so worn threads were showing through in places.

 

[dajop]

AFF'ers seem to be much more upbeat about this news than many on FT. I guess the difference here is most are invested in QFF, and an extra partner (well sort of, given they were already a partner), is a positive. On FT, mainly AS Mileage Plan members commenting, with fears that a) the program will be devalued to be consistent with AA, b) loss of quality partners outside of oneworld (specifically SQ and EK) and c) fears of a further reduction in competition amongst US carriers.

 

[SeatBackForward]

AFF'ers seem to be much more upbeat about this news than many on FT. I guess the difference here is most are invested in QFF, and an extra partner (well sort of, given they were already a partner), is a positive. On FT, mainly AS Mileage Plan members commenting, with fears that a) the program will be devalued to be consistent with AA, b) loss of quality partners outside of oneworld (specifically SQ and EK) and c) fears of a further reduction in competition amongst US carriers.

My bolding. but now we can earn SCs and reciprocal lounge access as well!

I think the AS FF scheme was quite a lucartive one hence the dismay over on Ft. We need to introduce them to the word "enhancement".

Pity my AS flights in a fortnight wont benefit from this. Perhaps a surprise recognition of OWE status?

 

[Revenge]

Next we just need WestJet to join

 

[jase05]

Surely the KE partnership is the one most in danger of disappearing

 

[justinbrett]

I actually thought the AA/AS partnership was going to diverge after the AS merger with Virgin.

When you think about it, that’s 4 major 2015 US airlines now with oneworld (American, US, Alaska and Virgin) - a huge share of the market.

 

[Alyopsis]

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.

People knew. I knew, AFF knew cause they had an article prepped and ready to go, but the info was embargoed and and as River Song used to say - spoilers

 

[pauly7]

People knew. I knew, AFF knew cause they had an article prepped and ready to go, but the info was embargoed and and as River Song used to say - spoilers

You missed the point. This has been planned for longer than a few embargoed press releases were sent out

 

[pauly7]

AFF'ers seem to be much more upbeat about this news than many on FT. I guess the difference here is most are invested in QFF, and an extra partner (well sort of, given they were already a partner), is a positive. On FT, mainly AS Mileage Plan members commenting, with fears that a) the program will be devalued to be consistent with AA, b) loss of quality partners outside of oneworld (specifically SQ and EK) and c) fears of a further reduction in competition amongst US carriers.

QF are a part of oneworld and have probably the closest alliance with EK in the world.