Delta Air Lines and Alaska Airlines are no longer partners; their codeshare agreement ended in 2017, and they now belong to competing global airline alliances.
Navigating airline partnerships can feel like a puzzle, especially when historical relationships change. For many years, travelers enjoyed seamless connections and shared benefits between Delta and Alaska Airlines, making travel through key hubs quite convenient. However, the airline landscape has shifted significantly, and understanding these changes is essential for planning your trips and maximizing your loyalty benefits.
The Partnership That Was (And Isn’t Anymore)
For a long time, Delta and Alaska Airlines had a robust codeshare agreement, allowing passengers to book flights on one airline and fly on the other, often earning miles across both programs. This partnership was particularly strong in Seattle, a major hub for both carriers.
The relationship began to unravel as Delta aggressively expanded its own operations and international routes out of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. This expansion led to increased competition between the two airlines on overlapping routes, making the partnership less strategically viable for both.
The codeshare agreement officially concluded on May 1, 2017. Since then, the two airlines have operated independently, with no reciprocal mileage earning, redemption, or elite status benefits.
Understanding Current Airline Alliances
The global airline industry is largely structured around three major alliances: SkyTeam, Star Alliance, and Oneworld. These alliances allow member airlines to extend their networks, offer shared loyalty benefits, and provide more seamless international travel experiences.
Delta Air Lines is a founding member and key player in the SkyTeam alliance. This alliance connects travelers to a vast global network through partners like Air France, KLM, Korean Air, and Virgin Atlantic.
Alaska Airlines, after operating independently for many years with various individual partnerships, officially joined the Oneworld alliance in March 2021. This move significantly expanded Alaska’s global reach through partners such as American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, and Qantas.
Earning and Redeeming Miles
Since Delta and Alaska are in different alliances and no longer have a direct partnership, their loyalty programs, Delta SkyMiles and Alaska Mileage Plan, operate independently. You cannot earn or redeem SkyMiles on Alaska flights, nor can you earn or redeem Mileage Plan miles on Delta flights.
To earn miles on an Alaska flight, you must credit them to your Mileage Plan account or a Oneworld partner airline’s loyalty program. Similarly, Delta flights will earn SkyMiles or miles with another SkyTeam partner. This means travelers must choose which airline’s program to accrue miles with based on the operating carrier.
Elite Status and Benefits
Elite status benefits, such as priority boarding, lounge access, complimentary upgrades, and extra baggage allowances, are not transferable between Delta SkyMiles Medallion status and Alaska Mileage Plan MVP status. Each airline’s elite benefits apply only to flights operated by that airline or its respective alliance partners.
For instance, a Delta SkyMiles Platinum Medallion member would receive SkyTeam Elite Plus benefits on SkyTeam partner flights. An Alaska Mileage Plan MVP Gold 75K member enjoys Oneworld Emerald benefits on Oneworld partner flights. There is no crossover between the two.
Practical Implications for Connecting Flights
When Delta and Alaska were partners, booking a flight from, say, a small Alaskan town to an international destination via Seattle could be a single itinerary. Now, if your travel involves both airlines, you’ll likely need to manage separate bookings.
Booking separate tickets means you are responsible for checking in for each flight segment independently. If you have checked luggage, you will almost certainly need to collect your bags after the first flight and re-check them with the second airline. This process requires sufficient layover time to account for baggage claim, potential terminal changes, and going through security again.
According to the TSA, all passengers, regardless of their connecting flight status, must adhere to security screening protocols when re-entering the secure area of an airport. This includes removing electronics and liquids from carry-on bags as required.
| Feature | Delta (SkyTeam Network) | Alaska (Oneworld Network) |
|---|---|---|
| Codeshare Flights | With SkyTeam partners and other individual partners. | With Oneworld partners and other individual partners. |
| Mileage Earning/Redemption | SkyMiles only on Delta/SkyTeam flights. | Mileage Plan only on Alaska/Oneworld flights. |
| Elite Benefits | SkyMiles Medallion benefits on Delta/SkyTeam flights. | Mileage Plan MVP benefits on Alaska/Oneworld flights. |
| Baggage Transfer (Separate Tickets) | Not guaranteed; re-check usually required. | Not guaranteed; re-check usually required. |
| Lounge Access | Delta Sky Club / SkyTeam partner lounges. | Alaska Lounges / Oneworld partner lounges. |
Alaska Airlines’ Oneworld Membership
Alaska’s entry into Oneworld has been a significant development for its loyal customer base, opening up a world of new travel possibilities. This membership allows Alaska to offer its passengers a truly global network, connecting them to over 1,000 destinations across more than 170 countries.
Travelers flying Alaska can now earn and redeem Mileage Plan miles on Oneworld partner airlines, including American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Iberia, Japan Airlines, Qantas, and Qatar Airways. This provides a clear pathway for Alaska flyers to use their miles for international trips.
Elite members of Alaska’s Mileage Plan program receive Oneworld status (Ruby, Sapphire, or Emerald), granting them benefits such as priority check-in, preferred seating, priority boarding, and lounge access when flying on Oneworld member airlines. This offers a consistent experience across the alliance.
Delta’s SkyTeam Network
Delta continues to anchor the SkyTeam alliance, providing extensive domestic and international connectivity. Its strong presence in major hubs like Atlanta, Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Salt Lake City, and Seattle offers numerous options for travelers across the country and beyond.
SkyTeam offers a comprehensive network of routes, particularly strong across the Atlantic and to Asia, through partners like Air France, KLM, Korean Air, China Eastern, and Virgin Atlantic. This robust network ensures that Delta SkyMiles members have ample opportunities to earn and redeem miles globally.
The FAA sets strict operational and safety standards for all airlines operating within the United States, including Delta and its partners, ensuring a high level of safety across the entire network.
| Alliance | Key Airline Members (Examples) | Primary Benefit for Travelers |
|---|---|---|
| SkyTeam | Delta, Air France, KLM, Korean Air, Virgin Atlantic | Extensive global network, strong transatlantic and Asian routes. |
| Oneworld | Alaska, American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Qantas | Global reach, particularly strong in North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. |
| Star Alliance | United Airlines, Lufthansa, Air Canada, Singapore Airlines, ANA | Largest alliance by number of member airlines and destinations. |
Choosing Between Delta and Alaska
When deciding which airline best suits your travel needs, consider your typical routes and loyalty goals. If your travel frequently takes you through Delta’s major hubs or to destinations primarily served by SkyTeam partners, focusing on Delta SkyMiles might be more advantageous.
Conversely, if your travel patterns align with Alaska’s strong West Coast network, or if you often fly with American Airlines or other Oneworld partners, then the Alaska Mileage Plan program could be a better fit. Many travelers find loyalty to one alliance simplifies mileage earning, elite status qualification, and overall travel planning.
Evaluate which airline’s flight schedule, pricing, and specific loyalty program benefits, such as upgrade policies or credit card partnerships, offer the most value for your personal travel habits. Each airline has distinct strengths that cater to different traveler profiles.