I’m unreasonably pleased that Alaska Airlines is joining the oneworld alliance on 31 March. Part of the reason is that I had a great time when I flew with them many years ago.
The other part is that flying American Airlines domestically in the USA has never particularly impressed me. I usually have more to complain about than the opposite, which is a bit sad.
Old Habits Die Hard
Needing to get between two cities in the USA, I checked Alaska Airlines, saw they were only offering the American Airlines flights and so I went to American’s web site. I chose my flight and added it to my planning spreadsheet.
Since first class was expensive, I planned to fly in economy class. Of course, days passed and the fact that flying economy on American is meh kept making me wrinkle my nose with displeasure at the thought.
Checking flights again, I decided that a connection would be my best bet. The price difference between the non-stop and the connection was about $15, so it’s better value to take two flights for the price of one.
That was all set and I was ready to set it in stone when a brainwave came to me. If I was going to connect, then why not then just do that with Alaska?
Ready To Book With Alaska!
Since Alaska’s web site would not give me any flights with a search directly, I checked their schedule. It was possible to connect in Seattle, and the price was similar to what AA were charging. Perfect! I’d get to fly with a friendlier airline and still earn my points.
Slicing and dicing some more, I found I could squeeze in a third flight with ease, for only about $100 more. With one hour and 30 minute connections in between them all, I figured why not? I’ll have the time.
What is strange is that the Alaska Airlines web site doesn’t show more connecting options. Just because there are no short connections available doesn’t mean nothing should display. Some of us are happy to connect and personally I actually prefer some time between flights.
Overall Thoughts
I have flown with Alaska Airlines a grand total of once and it’s always remained vivid in my memory. Despite that, the airline has such a good vibe around them, as people always seem to comment favourably on the airline.
Happily I had the pleasure of visiting Alaska’s Seattle headquarters with people from my class at University a few years ago. It was great seeing their Operations Control Centre, plus things such as the crew training areas and getting presentations from various departments within the airline. They’re a fine carrier all round.
Now all I need to do is hope I actually get to fly when I plan to. Luckily it’s not soon. What do you think of Alaska Airlines? Thank you for reading and if you have any comments or questions, please leave them below.
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As a AS MM’er I can tell you a lot of us FF are not happy with the AA connection especially with Parker running (ruining) AA. AA has a history of poor handling of partner airline FF’s. Least of all their planes and lousy service other than that we’re happy to be in OW. But one should note that for most of us flying international there is very little difference other than we will not have to pay the “vig” for advance seat assignment other than that no change
Alaska won’t ruin their own frequent flyer programme, you wouldn’t think, anyway! It’s well known as one of the best in the industry, and it gives them a bit of a USP. I didn’t think much would change for AS flyers, though it does open up a few new airline partners and better earning on those partners too, I should think. At least, all the oneworld airlines usually earn way better than other partner airlines in the oneworld programmes I’ve been a part of. We’ll know more soon! Let’s hope it all works out well.
I hope you are right, but I am not optimistic. With reciprocal elite benefits (AS elites get AA upgrades and vice versa), I expect AS will be pressured into aligning qualification requirements more at some point.
The other unknown for AS members is what the oneworld redemptions are going to look like. I expect that the AS award chart will look more like AA’s or AA may find themselves losing quite a few elites.
Sure, but a lot of people at AA will not be able to conveniently connect via the west coast, or use the AS network, so it may not be as big a deal as one might think. Still, I totally understand the concern. I hope it is all okay for loyal AS flyers.
Question: I’m a AA Platinum elite member. Does that translate to Alaska MVP Gold status automatically or do I have to do something else to earn that?
From 31 March, Alaska’s MVP Gold will become oneworld Sapphire, which is the same as your American Airlines Platinum. You don’t need to do anything at all – recognition and the alliance benefits start the day AS joins the alliance.
Thanks! One less status match to worry about!
Hahaha – very true!
Furthermore, AA and AS have announced that there will be some reciprocal benefits beyond alliance benefits. For example, at some point, as an AA plat, you should be eligible for complimentary upgrades when flying AS similar to how an AS gold is treated for upgrades.
I don’t have the full details though (I am a UA loyalist haha)
There are already some with other airlines, such as AA/BA for example. Not that any of them are easy to use… using Avios to upgrade an AA flight is very convoluted, for example. So it may be made to be difficult to do, in order to preserve things. We shall see!