Oneworld is a global alliance of 14 airlines, including American Airlines, British Airways and Cathay Pacific.

It is an alliance that competes with Skyteam (Air France – KLM, Delta Airlines, Korean Air, etc) and Star Alliance (Air Canada, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, etc).

The alliance system has been somewhat moribund in recent years, with airlines preferring to form direct partnerships, as was the case until now with Alaska Airlines. This airline, through its Alaska Mileage Plan program, is now partnered with airlines from all 3 alliances.

Now, as of March 31, 2021, Alaska Airlines has joined Oneworld.

Alaska Mileage Plan miles can be earned and redeemed for flights with many airlines:

Oneworld:

• Alaska Airlines
• American Airlines
• British Airways
• Cathay Pacific
• Finnair
• Iberia
• Japan Airlines
• Malaysia Airlines
• Qantas
• Qatar Airways
• Royal Air Maroc
• Royal Jordanian
• S7 Airlines
• SriLankan Airlines

Star Alliance:

• Singapore Airlines

Skyteam:

• Korean Air

Out of alliance:

• El Al
• Emirates
• Hainan Airlines

There are several interesting features to the Alaska Mileage Plan program such as:

• the possibility of making a stopover on a one-way ticket
• an advantageous chart with several airlines including Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines and Qantas.

For example, with Cathay Pacific, it is possible to fly from Canada to South Africa (with a stopover in Hong Kong) for only 70,000 miles in First Class (the portion between Hong Kong and South Africa is in business).

At this time, nothing changes with the entrance of Alaska Airlines into Oneworld. It will not be until the summer of 2021 that Oneworld awards will be possible with Alaska miles.

And it is already possible to use Alaska miles with many Oneworld members such as American, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Japan Airlines and Qantas.

There is a good chance that the various benefits will disappear.

As well as partnerships with airlines outside Oneworld: for example, it would be unthinkable for Alaska Airlines to maintain its partnership with Emirates when it is part of the same alliance as Qatar Airways, Emirates’ major competitor.

And what about the recent partnership with Singapore Airlines, itself a member of the Star Alliance?

On the other hand, there will certainly be new opportunities to travel with American Airlines (where the two airlines have been at odds in recent years) or Qatar Airways.

Alaska Airlines offers 2 credit cards in Canada. Unfortunately, as of last year, those offered in Quebec do not –officially–come with a welcome bonus (unlike those offered in other provinces). But unofficially… 😉

For milesopedia readers outside Quebec, here are the current offers:

For milesopedia readers in Quebec, here are the current offers:

Because they are Mastercard credit cards, they are accepted at Costco.