Alaska Airlines marked a major milestone in their 89 year history, celebrating their first day as an official member of the oneworld® global alliance. Alaska is now the 14th full member of the alliance, after receiving a formal invitation in July 2020.
On Wednesday (March 31, 2021), Alaska Airlines celebrated a major milestone in their 89-year history, becoming the 14th full member of the global oneworld alliance. Now an official member, Alaska Airlines received a formal invitation from oneworld in July 2020, only eight months ago. Due to COVID-19 related safety protocols, Alaska and oneworld hosted a virtual celebration and news conference today in Seattle, the carrier’s hometown. Fellow oneworld members from around the globe welcomed Alaska with video greetings, including renditions of the airline’s ‘Alaska Safety Dance’ video, temporarily renamed ‘Global Safety Dance.’
In Wednesday’s announcement, Alaska Airlines’ CEO, Ben Minicucci, said,
“Joining oneworld is 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. 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.”
Also commenting on the milestone occasion, oneworld’s CEO, Rob Gurney, added,
“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 U.S. West Coast. 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’ guests will now enjoy a network offering up to 1,000 destinations in over 170 countries and territories. Starting today, Alaska Mileage Plan members will earn miles when they fly on any of the other 13 member airlines. Mileage redemption for flights on airlines without a previous relationship with occur in the coming months. Alaska’s Elite Mileage Plan members will automatically receive oneworld tier status as follows: MVP Gold 75K = oneworld Emerald, MVP Gold = oneworld Sapphire and MVP = oneworld Ruby. Depending on tier status, members can now enjoy access to over 650 international First and Business Class lounges, fast track through security and priority baggage benefits. Guests with Emerald , Sapphire or Ruby status will also be able to use priority check-in desks, while those with Emerald or Sapphire status will be offered priority boarding.
oneworld brings together 14 world-class airlines including Alaska Airlines, 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 well as over 20 of their affiliates. Fiji Airways is also a oneworld connect partner.
Alaska Airlines and their regional partners serve over 115 destinations in the United States and North America, providing essential service for their guests and critical cargo shipments, while emphasizing Next-Level Care. The carrier has hubs in Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Portland and Anchorage and is known for low fares, excellent service and sustainability efforts. Along with their Global Partners, Alaska Airlines’ guests can earn and redeem miles on flights to more than 800 global destinations. Alaska Airlines is the newest and 14th member of the oneworld global alliance. Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air are subsidiaries of the Alaska Air Group, Inc. (NYSE: ALK).
Source(s): Alaska Airlines, oneworld
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