Alaska Airlines has expanded its codeshare agreement with British Airways. Adding 16 new Alaska-operated routes, the expanded agreement only furthers the Seattle-based carrier's entry into the oneworld alliance. As Alaska continues its integration into the alliance, expect an expansion of even more codeshare agreements to deepen partnerships and lead to even more new routes.

Alaska Airlines and British Airways expand codeshares

Alaska Airlines announced a further expansion of its codeshare agreement with British Airways, covering 16 additional markets. All of the 16 routes are Alaska-operated routes. Alaska Airlines detailed to Simple Flying the routes under the expansion:

From Los Angeles (LAX), the codeshare covers routes to Boise (BOI), Bozeman (BZN), Fresno (FAT), Las Vegas (LAS), Portland (PDX), Seattle (SEA), and San Francisco (SFO). From Seattle (SEA), the British Airways code will be added on routes to Kalispell (FCO), Las Vegas (LAS), Los Angeles (LAX), Missoula (MSO), San Diego (SAN), and Vancouver (YVR). From San Francisco (SFO), the codeshare will be expanded to cover Las Vegas (LAS), Portland (PDX), and Orange County (SNA).

British Airways flies to Seattle, San Francisco, San Jose, Los Angeles, and San Diego on the West Coast. Note that San Jose is currently suspended but is expected to come back in the spring. Further in the Western US, British Airways also flies to Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Denver.

Alaska E175
Alaska's Seattle hub offers the most connecting opportunities. Photo: Jay Singh | Simple Flying

Further integration in the oneworld alliance

Alaska Airlines became an official member of the oneworld alliance at the end of March. Since then, the airline has been working hard on new codeshare agreements with various oneworld members, like Qatar Airways and Iberia. It is also continuing to enhance its partnership with American Airlines.

Alaska Airlines is still rolling out more features of its partnerships with oneworld airlines. There is still some room to go. Joining an airline alliance often takes time, but it is still working on it. Some of that integration also includes the potential for streamlining its other partnerships. Alaska cut its partnership with Emirates recently, preferring instead to tie up closely with Qatar Airways.

Alaska Airlines is continuing to deepen its commitment to the oneworld alliance. Photo: Alaska Airlines

Since March 31st, Alaska Airlines has added 188 additional codeshare routes to its portfolio. This represents a 39% increase in routes, and more will be coming. Some of Alaska's largest codeshare partners are top oneworld airlines, like American Airlines and Qatar Airways. British Airways is also set to grow in importance as a codeshare partner.

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A lucrative partnership

British Airways and Alaska Airlines have had a partnership for years, but now as members in the oneworld alliance, the two are working on a deeper partnership to cover the routes customers want to fly. Alaska Airlines does not have any long-haul international routes – nor does it have any interest in flying them at the moment.

British Airways Boeing 777 landing at Heathrow
Private testing requirements have been forcing hefty passenger expenditures. Photo: Getty Images

However, to remain competitive in a market where passengers have plenty of choices, the partnership between Alaska and British Airways is a lucrative one for both of them. British Airways can market more connections to smaller destinations in the Western United States, which would previously be more challenging to get to. Alaska Airlines can give its customers access to London, one of the top business markets in the world.