Are Alaska Airlines And Delta Partners? | What To Know

Alaska Airlines and Delta Air Lines are not current partners; their codesharing agreement concluded on May 1, 2017, and they now operate as direct competitors.

Navigating airline partnerships can feel a bit like tracking shifting sands, especially when you’re planning travel and hoping to maximize your miles or enjoy seamless connections. Understanding the relationship between major carriers like Alaska Airlines and Delta is key to making informed booking decisions and getting the most out of your travel experience.

The History of Alaska and Delta’s Relationship

For many years, Alaska Airlines and Delta Air Lines maintained a significant partnership, a relationship that allowed travelers to enjoy reciprocal benefits. This collaboration included codesharing on numerous flights, enabling passengers to book a single itinerary that combined flights from both airlines.

During this period, travelers could earn and redeem miles across both Mileage Plan (Alaska’s loyalty program) and SkyMiles (Delta’s loyalty program). Elite status members of one airline often received benefits when flying the other, such as priority boarding, lounge access, and complimentary upgrades, enhancing the travel experience for frequent flyers.

The partnership began to unravel in 2016, driven by Delta’s expansion on the West Coast, particularly from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), which is Alaska’s primary hub. This strategic shift led to increased competition between the two carriers on many routes.

The formal end of the codesharing agreement and reciprocal benefits came on May 1, 2017. Since then, Alaska Airlines and Delta Air Lines have operated as independent and often competing entities.

Current Status: Separate Paths

Today, Alaska Airlines and Delta Air Lines operate entirely independently, meaning they do not codeshare, offer reciprocal mileage earning or redemption, or extend elite benefits to each other’s passengers. They are direct competitors, especially on routes across the US, with significant overlap in markets like the West Coast.

This separation means that when you book a flight with Alaska Airlines, you will only earn and redeem miles within the Alaska Mileage Plan program or with its current partners. The same applies to Delta SkyMiles: miles are earned and redeemed within the SkyMiles program or with its SkyTeam alliance partners.

Alaska Airlines and Oneworld

Alaska Airlines officially joined the Oneworld airline alliance on March 31, 2021. This move significantly expanded Alaska’s global reach and provided its Mileage Plan members with a vast network of international partners.

As a Oneworld member, Alaska Mileage Plan members can earn and redeem miles on all Oneworld member airlines, which include major carriers like American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Iberia, Japan Airlines, Qantas, and Qatar Airways. Elite status with Alaska Airlines now translates to Oneworld Ruby, Sapphire, or Emerald status, offering benefits such as lounge access, priority boarding, and extra baggage allowances when flying with any Oneworld partner.

Delta Air Lines and SkyTeam

Delta Air Lines is a founding member of the SkyTeam alliance, one of the largest global airline alliances. SkyTeam offers an extensive network of destinations worldwide, primarily through its 19 member airlines.

Delta SkyMiles members can earn and redeem miles across the entire SkyTeam network, which includes airlines such as Air France, KLM, Korean Air, Aeromexico, Virgin Atlantic, and Saudia. Delta’s elite status (Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond Medallion) provides SkyTeam Elite or SkyTeam Elite Plus benefits, granting perks like priority services, lounge access, and increased baggage allowances across the alliance.

What This Means for Earning and Redeeming Miles

The clear separation between Alaska Airlines and Delta means that earning and redeeming miles across these two carriers is no longer possible. Your Alaska Mileage Plan miles are valuable within the Oneworld alliance and with Alaska’s non-alliance partners, while your Delta SkyMiles are valuable within the SkyTeam alliance.

When planning your travel, it is essential to focus your loyalty on one program if you aim to consolidate miles for award travel or achieve elite status. Mixing and matching loyalty programs between non-partner airlines typically dilutes your earning potential and makes it harder to reach your travel goals.

Here’s a quick look at the primary loyalty programs and their alliances:

Airline	Loyalty Program	Primary Alliance
Alaska Airlines	Mileage Plan	Oneworld
Delta Air Lines	SkyMiles	SkyTeam

Elite Status and Reciprocal Benefits

Without a partnership, there are no reciprocal elite benefits between Alaska Airlines and Delta Air Lines. Holding elite status with Alaska will not grant you any special privileges when flying Delta, and vice-versa. This includes perks like:

• Priority check-in and boarding
• Lounge access
• Complimentary upgrades
• Extra baggage allowance
• Preferred seating

To enjoy elite benefits, you must be flying on the airline with which you hold status or one of its alliance partners where reciprocal benefits are recognized. For example, an Alaska MVP Gold member would receive Oneworld Sapphire benefits when flying with American Airlines, but no special treatment on a Delta flight.

Codesharing and Connecting Flights

Codesharing, where one airline sells seats on a flight operated by another airline under its own flight number, does not occur between Alaska and Delta. This means you will not find a single itinerary that combines flights from both carriers under one booking reference.

If your travel plans require you to fly on both Alaska and Delta, you will need to book separate tickets for each segment. This approach introduces several considerations you should be aware of:

1. Baggage Transfers: When you have separate tickets, airlines generally do not transfer your checked luggage between them. You will typically need to collect your bags at the first airline’s destination, re-check them with the second airline, and go through security again. This process can be time-consuming.
2. Missed Connections: If a delay on your first flight causes you to miss your second, separately booked flight, the second airline is not obligated to rebook you without charge. You might be considered a “no-show” and could lose the value of your second ticket.
3. Check-in Procedures: You will need to check in separately for each flight segment according to each airline’s individual policies.

For any domestic flight, including those involving connections, it is always wise to be aware of security screening requirements. According to the TSA, all passengers are subject to screening at the security checkpoint, and specific rules apply to items like liquids, gels, and aerosols in carry-on bags.

Navigating Separate Airlines for Complex Itineraries

When you need to use both Alaska Airlines and Delta Air Lines for a single trip, careful planning becomes even more important. Here are some tips to help manage the process:

• Allow Ample Connection Time: If you are booking separate tickets, build in a generous buffer between flights, especially if you need to collect and re-check luggage or change terminals. A minimum of 3-4 hours for domestic connections is often recommended to account for potential delays and re-screening.
• Verify Baggage Policies: Check the baggage allowance and fees for each airline separately. They may differ, and exceeding limits could incur unexpected costs.
• Consider Carry-On Only: If feasible, traveling with only a carry-on bag can simplify transfers significantly, as you bypass the need to re-check luggage.
• Understand Airline Terminals: At larger airports, Alaska and Delta may operate from different terminals, requiring you to navigate airport transportation.

Understanding these differences is key to a smooth journey:

Feature	Alaska Airlines (Oneworld)	Delta Air Lines (SkyTeam)
Mileage Earning/Redemption	Mileage Plan miles, Oneworld partners	SkyMiles, SkyTeam partners
Elite Benefits	Recognized on Alaska and Oneworld partners	Recognized on Delta and SkyTeam partners
Baggage Transfer (Separate Tickets)	Generally not automatic	Generally not automatic

Direct Competitors, Not Collaborators

The current relationship between Alaska Airlines and Delta Air Lines is one of direct competition. Both airlines operate extensive networks, particularly within the US, and frequently compete for passengers on the same routes. This competitive environment can sometimes benefit consumers through more competitive pricing and service offerings.

When choosing between Alaska and Delta for your travel, your decision will likely come down to factors such as route availability, pricing, loyalty program affiliation, and personal preference for cabin experience. Each airline has its strengths and caters to different traveler needs.