Alaska Airlines and British Airways expand codeshare routes

Alaska Airlines has expanded its codeshare arrangements with long-time partner and fellow oneworld member British Airways to 16 additional markets. The new destinations connect network beyond Seattle, San Francisco and Los Angeles to BA’s nonstop service from London Heathrow. The US carrier joined the oneworld alliance on March 31 this year and has added 188 additional codeshare routes, an increase of 39%. READ: Ryanair calls Boeing "delusionary" over 737 MAX deal These include partnerships with oneworld members Qatar Airways and Iberia Airlines as well as expanded cooperation with existing partners American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific and Finnair. The six airlines offer 16 daily international flights to Seattle, San Francisco and Los Angeles – enabling seamless connectivity to Alaska's comprehensive network up and down the West Coast. "We're excited to deepen our partnership with British Airways," said Alaska senior vice president fleet, finances and alliances Nat Pieper. "Alaska guests have valued access to London and Europe with British Airways for years, and the additional pathways announced today will make it even more convenient. “With oneworld and our additional airline partners, Alaska guests can fly to as many as 1,000 destinations around the world. Flyers can also earn and redeem miles with our highly-acclaimed Mileage Plan program to fly on more than 20 oneworld and partner airlines worldwide.“ Alaska and its regional partners offer overseas passengers more than 120 destinations across the United States and to Mexico, Canada and Costa Rica. In August, Alaska responded to rising travel demand by accelerating accelerate its fleet growth and exercise options for 12 737-9 aircraft ahead of schedule. The decision by the Seattle-based airline to exercise the MAX options means the aircraft are now firm commitments for 2023 and 2024, bringing Alaska’s total firm 737-9 order to 93 aircraft. Five of those aircraft are currently in service, with seven more to be delivered this year.  The revised plan means the oneworld member is now due to take 31 aircraft in 2022, 32 in 2023 and 18 in 2024.