{"id":57673,"date":"2021-02-27T17:00:27","date_gmt":"2021-02-27T22:00:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/?p=57673"},"modified":"2026-04-08T13:39:21","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T13:39:21","slug":"alaska-joins-oneworld","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/news\/alaska-atmos-rewards\/alaska-joins-oneworld\/","title":{"rendered":"Everything You Need to Know About Alaska Airlines Joining Oneworld"},"content":{"rendered":"

In early 2020, the traveling community collectively gasped when Alaska Airlines announced<\/a> plans to join Oneworld in 2021. Just like that, the beloved regional airline would expand its reach to over 1,000 destinations worldwide.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, the rollout hasn't gone entirely to plan. You know how it goes\u2014technological holdups, program integration delays, international pandemics\u2014the usual issues. After a few schedule changes, Alaska officially joined the Oneworld Alliance on\u00a0March 31, 2021<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Now that the moment's arrived, we've created a one-stop hub with everything you need to know about this exciting development.<\/p>\n

Alaska Joining Oneworld Timeline \u2014 What's Happened So Far<\/span><\/h2>\n

The Backstory<\/span><\/h3>\n

In late 2019 and early 2020, travel numbers<\/a> were as high as ever. At the time, Alaska's relationship with American Airlines was a bit frosty. In fact, the two airlines announced intentions to cut ties altogether. But before the deed was done, there was a sudden change of heart.<\/p>\n

The popular opinion is that with Delta expanding its presence on the West Coast, AA recognized it had more to gain by joining forces with Alaska than it did by breaking up. So,\u00a0in February 2020<\/strong>, the two airlines announced a new, stronger partnership\u2014which included an invitation for Alaska to become a full-blown member of Oneworld by summer 2021.<\/p>\n

\"Graphic
Updated map of Oneworld alliance members now that Alaska Airlines has joined.<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n

COVID-19<\/span><\/h3>\n

Surprisingly, COVID-19 didn't dampen Alaska's momentum hardly at all. Brad Tilden (Alaska's Chairman and former CEO) revealed in July 2020<\/strong> that Alaska might complete its Oneworld integration early\u2014perhaps late 2020.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, technological holdups further delayed the process. As a result, Alaska postponed debuting its full Oneworld membership until\u00a0March 31, 2021<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"Alaska's
Alaska's current timeline for the rollout of its AA partnership and inclusion in the Oneworld Alliance.<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n

What We Know So Far<\/span><\/h2>\n

Oneworld Tiers for Alaska Elites<\/span><\/h3>\n

One of the most important benefits of joining Oneworld is the alliance-wide status recognition for Alaska Mileage Plan elites.<\/p>\n

Oneworld currently has three elite status tiers recognized among all of its member airlines: Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald. Each of these offers unique benefits when traveling on Oneworld partners.<\/p>\n

\"Alaska
Here's an example of the benefits offered to Oneworld Emerald members.<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n

Alaska Airlines has announced that Mileage Plan elite members will receive the following Oneworld status:<\/p>\n