Alaska Airlines is an airline that is rapidly expanding its footprint across North America with new partners.
Alaska Airlines this week announced a new reciprocal aviation agreement with Canadian-based Porter Airlines. The company is his 30th aviation partner for the Seattle-based airline.
From the outset, the arrangement will be fairly simple. Alaska Airlines customers will now be able to book select Porter flight itineraries through Alaska’s reservations channel. Mileage Plan members will also be able to earn miles on these flights.
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Customers who book through Porter’s website will be able to book itineraries that feature connections to many cities within Alaska’s West Coast network.
By early next year, customers will also be able to connect at Canada’s common airports.
In the second half of 2024, the airlines plan to expand their partnership to offer fully reciprocal mileage earning and redemption opportunities for loyalty members.
The move provides Mileage Plan members with a new connection to Canada and joins Alaska’s stronghold, which includes airlines that are part of the Oneworld alliance and a handful of other international carriers that are not. It will join the list of airline partners.
The deal could become more valuable to Alaska backers as Porter continues to deliver its rapidly expanding fleet of Embraer E195-E2 jets, expanding its U.S. route map in the process.
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Porter has ramped up service to the East Coast in recent months, and the airline plans to continue its expansion to the West Coast with its 132-seat economy-only jets, which do not have middle seats.
Specifically, in connection with this partnership, Porter will begin service from Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on January 16th and to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) on January 25th. It’s a schedule. The hub is Alaska’s primary business location.
“Porter Airlines opens up new opportunities for our customers to travel to Canada in style,” said Brett Catlin, vice president of Alaska Loyalty, Alliances and Sales. statement Announcing the news. “We are thrilled to partner with such a vibrant and growing airline that offers a sophisticated experience, including first-class in-flight service and great in-flight amenities.”
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How does the Alaska-Porter partnership work?
The partnership between Alaska and Porter looks set to evolve during 2024.
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From January, arrangements will be slightly limited.
Porter will be an “acquisition partner” with Alaska. That means customers can book Porter Aircraft flights through Alaska’s website and earn Mileage Plan miles, which will count toward elite status.
An example is shown below. Nonstop flights from Los Angeles to Toronto in February are available for purchase on Porter Airlines from the State of Alaska’s website for $161.
VIPorter loyalty members can do the same with Alaska Airlines flights booked through Porter’s website.
This January itinerary from Toronto to Portland International Airport (PDX) includes one leg in Porter and a second leg in Alaska to reach your final destination.
As shown above, this agreement allows customers to book a single itinerary featuring seamless connectivity between the two airlines. This allows passengers to travel on one itinerary without having to check in again or re-check their luggage.
This option is also available to customers who book their tickets through third-party online travel agents.
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Future partnership expansion
The partnership is expected to expand in the second half of 2024, the airline revealed. This allows customers to earn or redeem miles with either airline, regardless of which booking channel they used.
The airlines said in a statement that they “continue to strengthen our partnership in 2024,” perhaps hinting at some kind of mutual benefit arrangement for elite members of both airlines’ loyalty programs.
conclusion
While the deal falls short of a full-fledged codeshare agreement, such as the one Alaska has with American Airlines, it does provide an additional option for Mileage Plan members to increase access to Canada with the fast-growing airline.
Combined with Alaska’s partner airlines in Europe, Asia and Latin America, as well as a larger network of oneworld partners, the list of connectivity options for Alaska enthusiasts is sure to grow.
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