Are Alaska Airlines And Delta Airlines Partners? | What You Need to Know

Alaska Airlines and Delta Airlines are not currently partners; their codeshare and mileage partnership officially ended in 2020.

Navigating the world of airline partnerships can feel like solving a puzzle, especially when your travel plans involve earning miles or enjoying elite benefits across different carriers. Many travelers remember a time when Alaska Airlines and Delta Airlines worked together, and it’s a common question whether that relationship still stands today. Understanding their current status is key to planning your flights, managing your loyalty points, and ensuring a smooth journey.

A Look Back: The Former Partnership

For many years, Alaska Airlines and Delta Airlines maintained a significant partnership that benefited countless travelers. This collaboration allowed passengers to book flights on either airline and enjoy reciprocal benefits, creating a more expansive network for both carriers.

• Codesharing Agreements: Travelers could purchase a ticket from one airline but fly on a plane operated by the other. This expanded route options, particularly for destinations not directly served by both carriers.
• Mileage Earning and Redemption: Members of Alaska’s Mileage Plan and Delta’s SkyMiles program could earn and redeem miles on flights operated by either airline. This was a major perk for frequent flyers looking to consolidate their points.
• Elite Status Recognition: While not a full alliance, the partnership offered some reciprocal elite benefits, such as priority boarding, preferred seating, and checked baggage allowances, making connections smoother for top-tier members.

This partnership was especially valuable for travelers connecting through major hubs, offering flexibility and convenience that airline alliances typically provide. It simplified travel logistics and maximized loyalty program benefits for those flying both airlines.

The Split: When and Why It Ended

The long-standing partnership between Alaska Airlines and Delta Airlines concluded on April 30, 2017, with the final codeshare flights operating on that date. The ability to earn and redeem miles on each other’s flights also phased out around this time, fully ending by May 1, 2017. This separation marked a significant shift in the competitive landscape, particularly on the West Coast.

The primary reason for the dissolution was increasing competition between the two airlines, especially in Seattle, which serves as a major hub for both carriers. As Delta expanded its international and domestic operations from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), its network began to overlap more directly with Alaska Airlines’ established routes. Both airlines chose to pursue independent strategies, focusing on their respective strengths and alliances.

For travelers who had grown accustomed to the flexibility of the partnership, the split meant a re-evaluation of their travel strategies. It became necessary to consider which airline best suited their primary travel needs and loyalty program affiliations.

Current Relationship Status: Independent Paths

Today, Alaska Airlines and Delta Airlines operate as entirely separate entities with no active partnership agreements. They do not codeshare, nor do they offer reciprocal mileage earning, redemption, or elite status benefits. Each airline is now firmly rooted within its own global airline alliance, providing distinct networks and loyalty program structures.

• Alaska Airlines: A full member of the Oneworld Alliance since March 31, 2021.
• Delta Airlines: A founding member of the SkyTeam Alliance.

This means that if you book a flight with Alaska Airlines, you will earn and redeem miles within their Mileage Plan program or with other Oneworld partners. Similarly, Delta SkyMiles members will interact exclusively with Delta and its SkyTeam partners for loyalty benefits.

Alaska Airlines and Oneworld

Alaska Airlines’ entry into the Oneworld Alliance significantly expanded its global reach, offering its Mileage Plan members access to a vast network of international destinations. Oneworld is one of the largest global airline alliances, comprised of 13 member airlines.

Benefits for Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan members flying Oneworld partners include:

• Earning and redeeming miles on all Oneworld member flights.
• Reciprocal elite status benefits, such as priority check-in, boarding, security, and lounge access, depending on your Mileage Plan elite tier.
• Access to a global network spanning over 1,000 destinations in more than 170 territories.

Key Oneworld partners include American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Iberia, Japan Airlines, Qantas, and Qatar Airways, among others. This alliance provides a powerful network for travelers seeking global connectivity.

Delta Airlines and SkyTeam

Delta Airlines is a foundational member of the SkyTeam Alliance, which boasts an extensive global presence. SkyTeam connects passengers to over 1,000 destinations worldwide through its 19 member airlines.

Benefits for Delta SkyMiles members flying SkyTeam partners include:

• Earning and redeeming SkyMiles on all SkyTeam member flights.
• Reciprocal elite status benefits, including priority services and lounge access for eligible SkyMiles Medallion members.
• A seamless travel experience across a broad international network.

Prominent SkyTeam partners include Air France, KLM, Korean Air, Virgin Atlantic, Aeromexico, and China Eastern, offering a comprehensive network for international travel, particularly to Europe, Asia, and Latin America.

Navigating Loyalty Programs Post-Split

The end of the Alaska-Delta partnership means that their respective loyalty programs, Mileage Plan and SkyMiles, operate entirely independently. There is no cross-earning, cross-redemption, or status matching between the two.

• Mileage Earning: When flying Alaska Airlines, you earn Mileage Plan miles. When flying Delta Airlines, you earn SkyMiles. You cannot earn SkyMiles on an Alaska flight or Mileage Plan miles on a Delta flight.
• Mileage Redemption: Miles earned with one program cannot be used to book flights on the other airline. Mileage Plan miles are for Alaska and Oneworld flights, while SkyMiles are for Delta and SkyTeam flights.
• Elite Status: Elite status with Alaska Airlines (MVP, MVP Gold, MVP Gold 75K, MVP Gold 100K) provides benefits on Alaska and Oneworld partners. Elite status with Delta Airlines (Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond Medallion) provides benefits on Delta and SkyTeam partners. Neither airline recognizes the other’s elite status.

Travelers frequently flying both airlines will need to manage two separate loyalty accounts and potentially two different elite qualification paths. This often leads to a strategic decision about which airline’s program best aligns with their travel patterns and preferred destinations.

Understanding these distinct loyalty ecosystems is vital for maximizing your travel rewards and benefits. It requires a clear strategy to concentrate your flying activity or diversify your points accumulation effectively.

Booking and Travel Considerations

Since Alaska Airlines and Delta Airlines are not partners, booking travel that involves both carriers requires careful planning. You cannot book a single itinerary that combines flights from both airlines under one ticket number.

• Separate Tickets: If your journey requires flying both Alaska and Delta, you must purchase separate tickets for each segment. For example, a flight from Seattle to Atlanta on Delta and then Atlanta to Miami on Alaska would require two distinct reservations.
• Baggage Policies: When traveling on separate tickets, baggage policies are applied independently by each airline. You will need to check your bags with the first airline, retrieve them at your connection point, and then re-check them with the second airline. This can involve additional baggage fees and requires sufficient layover time.
• Connecting Flights: Allow ample time for self-transfers between flights when using separate tickets. This includes time for deplaning, collecting checked luggage, potentially changing terminals, going through security again, and re-checking bags. A minimum of 3-4 hours is often recommended for such connections, especially at large or busy airports.
• Security Screening: Programs like TSA PreCheck and CLEAR are airline-agnostic programs that can expedite security screening for eligible travelers at participating airports. These programs can save time regardless of which airline you are flying, but they do not alleviate the need for re-screening when changing airlines on separate tickets.
• Operational Disruptions: If one flight is delayed or canceled, the other airline is not obligated to assist with rebooking the separate ticket. You would be responsible for any costs or changes to your second flight. Travel insurance can be a valuable consideration for complex itineraries involving separate tickets.

Always review the specific terms and conditions for each airline regarding baggage, check-in times, and any potential fees when booking separate tickets.

Maximizing Your Travel with Each Airline

Even without a direct partnership, both Alaska Airlines and Delta Airlines offer compelling reasons to fly with them, especially when you understand their respective strengths and alliance benefits.

With Alaska Airlines:

• West Coast Dominance: Alaska Airlines has a strong network along the West Coast, including extensive service to Alaska, Hawaii, and Mexico. If your travel frequently involves these regions, Alaska offers numerous direct routes.
• Oneworld Global Access: Leverage their Oneworld membership for international travel. Through partners like American Airlines, British Airways, and Japan Airlines, you can reach destinations across the globe while earning and redeeming Mileage Plan miles.
• Valuable Mileage Plan: Alaska’s Mileage Plan is often lauded for its value, particularly for redemptions on partner airlines. Consider their co-branded credit cards for sign-up bonuses and ongoing earning opportunities.

With Delta Airlines:

• Extensive Domestic Network: Delta offers a vast domestic network with major hubs in Atlanta, Detroit, Minneapolis, Salt Lake City, and Seattle, providing extensive connectivity across the country.
• SkyTeam Global Reach: Utilize their SkyTeam Alliance membership for comprehensive international travel. Partners like Air France, KLM, and Virgin Atlantic open up routes to Europe, Africa, and beyond.
• SkyMiles Program: Delta’s SkyMiles program offers various ways to earn and redeem miles, including through co-branded credit cards. Medallion status provides benefits like complimentary upgrades and lounge access on Delta and SkyTeam flights.

Why Understanding Airline Partnerships Matters

Understanding the current relationship status between airlines, or lack thereof, is fundamental to smart travel planning. It directly impacts several key aspects of your journey:

• Baggage Handling: Knowing if airlines are partners determines whether your checked bags can be seamlessly transferred between flights or if you need to retrieve and re-check them. This can save time, stress, and potential fees.
• Seamless Connections: A true partnership often means coordinated schedules and protected connections. Without it, you bear the risk of missed connections due to delays, requiring more buffer time and potentially separate bookings.
• Mileage Earning and Redemption: Your ability to earn and use loyalty points on a particular flight hinges on partnership agreements. Knowing who partners with whom ensures you’re crediting miles to the correct program and can redeem them effectively.
• Elite Status Recognition: For frequent flyers, elite status provides valuable perks like lounge access, priority services, and upgrades. These benefits are generally only recognized across partner airlines within the same alliance.

Being informed about airline alliances and individual partnerships helps you make strategic decisions about which airline to fly, how to book complex itineraries, and how to maximize the value of your loyalty programs.