American and Alaska Airlines Plan Expanded Joint Business Partnership
American Airlines and Alaska Airlines have announced plans that could significantly broaden their international cooperation, with Alaska intending to join American Airlines’ Atlantic and Pacific Joint Businesses. The proposed expansion is designed to give customers greater access to international destinations, improve connectivity between North America and overseas markets, and strengthen the airlines’ existing partnership.
The announcement was made jointly by the two carriers in Seattle and Fort Worth, Texas, as Alaska Airlines continues its broader strategy of developing a more globally connected airline. If approved by regulators, Alaska’s participation in the two joint businesses would create additional opportunities for customers traveling between the United States, Europe and Asia.
The proposed move would build on the existing relationship between American Airlines, Alaska Airlines and their oneworld partners. The airlines already cooperate in several areas, and joining the international joint businesses would take that relationship to a deeper level by providing Alaska with a more integrated role in two major international networks.
Regulatory Approvals Will Be Required
The proposed expansion remains subject to regulatory review. American and Alaska expect to submit applications seeking approval and antitrust immunity from the U.S. Department of Transportation in the coming months. The airlines will also seek the necessary approvals from relevant international regulatory authorities.Joint businesses between airlines generally allow participating carriers to coordinate aspects of their international networks, subject to regulatory authorization. Such arrangements can include cooperation around schedules, connectivity and customer travel options.
For Alaska Airlines, participation in the Atlantic and Pacific Joint Businesses would represent an important step in expanding its international reach. The company has identified international growth as a key element of its broader Alaska Accelerate strategy.Andrew Harrison, Alaska Airlines’ executive vice president and chief commercial officer, said the proposed expansion would support the carrier’s efforts to become a stronger global airline while maintaining the customer experience and loyalty benefits associated with its brand.
He described the partnership with American as an important part of Alaska’s strategy and said joining the joint businesses would provide Alaska customers with more seamless access to international destinations.According to Alaska, the proposed participation would also allow the airline to compete on a more comparable basis with other carriers that already have extensive international partnerships.
Building on a Long-Standing American-Alaska Relationship
American Airlines and Alaska Airlines have maintained a longstanding partnership, giving customers opportunities to connect between the carriers’ respective networks.The proposed joint-business participation would expand that cooperation beyond existing arrangements. Alaska would gain closer integration with American and other partners serving major international markets across the Atlantic and Pacific.
American Airlines Chief Commercial Officer Nat Pieper said the company was pleased to build on its relationship with Alaska.He highlighted the potential for the expanded partnership to provide customers with greater access, convenience and choice through a broader international network.The two airlines see the proposed arrangement as an extension of their existing cooperation rather than a standalone initiative. The plan also connects Alaska more closely with the wider network of American’s international joint-business partners.
Atlantic Joint Business
The Atlantic Joint Business is one of the key international partnerships that Alaska Airlines intends to join.Established in 2010, the Atlantic Joint Business currently includes American Airlines, British Airways, Iberia, Finnair, Aer Lingus and LEVEL. The partnership is focused on connecting markets across the North Atlantic and providing customers with broader access to destinations on both sides of the ocean.Alaska’s proposed participation would add another major U.S. airline to the partnership and could strengthen connections between the carrier’s West Coast network and European destinations served by the Atlantic Joint Business.
Julio Rodríguez Contreras, International Airlines Group’s chief commercial strategy officer, welcomed Alaska’s intention to join the Atlantic Joint Business.He said Alaska is a highly regarded partner and emphasized the role the Atlantic Joint Business has played over more than 15 years in expanding customer choice and connectivity across the North Atlantic.
The addition of Alaska could provide new opportunities for passengers traveling from the U.S. West Coast to Europe. Alaska operates an extensive network from airports across the western United States, giving the partnership an opportunity to connect those markets with the European destinations served by its Atlantic partners.For customers, the proposed cooperation could make international journeys involving multiple airlines more closely integrated, depending on the final regulatory approvals and implementation of the joint business.
Expanding Pacific Connectivity
Alaska also intends to join American Airlines’ Pacific Joint Business, which includes American and Japan Airlines.The Pacific partnership was established after the creation of the Atlantic Joint Business and focuses on strengthening connectivity between North America and Asia.Alaska’s participation would add another layer of cooperation between the airlines serving the Pacific market. It could also provide Alaska customers with expanded access to destinations throughout Asia through connections with American and Japan Airlines.
Japan Airlines welcomed Alaska Airlines’ proposed participation as the carrier and American celebrate the 15th anniversary of their own partnership.Ross Leggett, Japan Airlines’ senior managing executive officer and senior vice president of route marketing, said the proposed expansion would strengthen the combined network and create additional travel options between Asia and North America.
The Pacific Joint Business has become an important component of American and Japan Airlines’ international cooperation. Adding Alaska could extend the benefits of that network to more customers, particularly those traveling from the U.S. West Coast.
Greater International Opportunities for West Coast Travelers
One of the most significant aspects of the proposed arrangement is its potential impact on West Coast connectivity.Alaska Airlines has a strong presence in major West Coast markets. Its network includes significant operations from cities such as Seattle and other destinations across the western United States. Through its relationship with American and the broader oneworld network, Alaska customers already have access to a range of international destinations.
Joining the Atlantic and Pacific Joint Businesses could deepen those connections.For passengers, the potential benefits include greater access to international destinations, additional routing choices and improved connections between domestic and international networks. Customers could potentially benefit from a more integrated travel experience when itineraries involve Alaska, American or the other joint-business partners.
The airlines also said the proposed arrangement would increase competition while improving connectivity throughout the West Coast.That objective is particularly relevant as airlines continue to compete for international travelers and premium passengers. A broader partnership can allow participating airlines to combine their networks and provide customers with more ways to reach international markets.
Supporting Alaska Accelerate
The proposed international expansion is also closely linked to Alaska Airlines’ Alaska Accelerate strategy.The carrier has been working to strengthen its position as a larger and more globally connected airline. International partnerships are an important part of that approach because they can provide customers with access to destinations that Alaska may not serve directly.
Rather than relying exclusively on its own international network, Alaska can expand the destinations available to its customers through cooperation with partner airlines.Its proposed participation in the Atlantic and Pacific Joint Businesses would therefore complement Alaska’s existing operations while providing access to two major international networks.The airline said the move would help put Alaska on equal footing with competitors that have established international joint-business arrangements.
Maintaining Customer Benefits
While the proposed expansion is focused heavily on international connectivity, Alaska emphasized that its customer experience would remain an important part of the strategy.Andrew Harrison said Alaska intends to preserve the care, loyalty benefits and premium experience customers expect from the airline while expanding international access.
This means the proposed partnership is not simply about adding destinations. It is also about giving Alaska customers a more integrated experience when traveling internationally through partner networks.Loyalty-program members could potentially benefit from deeper cooperation between the participating airlines, although the precise details of any changes or expanded benefits would depend on the final structure and regulatory approvals.
Strengthening the Oneworld Network
The proposal also reinforces the broader role of the oneworld alliance network.American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, British Airways, Iberia, Finnair, Aer Lingus, LEVEL and Japan Airlines are among the carriers connected to the partnerships and alliance relationships referenced in the announcement.For Alaska, closer integration with American’s Atlantic and Pacific Joint Businesses would strengthen its position within this international network
The development reflects a broader trend in the airline industry in which carriers use partnerships, alliances and joint businesses to extend their geographic reach. Such arrangements can allow airlines to offer international destinations and connections without operating every route independently.For American, bringing Alaska more deeply into its international partnerships could strengthen the domestic feeder network supporting flights across the Atlantic and Pacific.
Next Steps for the Partnership
The proposed expansion is not yet final. American Airlines and Alaska Airlines expect to pursue regulatory approval in the United States and other relevant jurisdictions.The carriers plan to seek approval and antitrust immunity from the U.S. Department of Transportation. They will also work through the applicable regulatory processes in international markets.
The outcome of those reviews will determine whether Alaska can formally join the two joint businesses and under what conditions.Until the necessary approvals are obtained, the airlines will continue operating under their existing arrangements.If approved, the expanded relationship could represent a significant development in Alaska Airlines’ international strategy and provide a new level of cooperation between Alaska, American and their Atlantic and Pacific partners.
A Broader International Network
The proposed participation of Alaska Airlines in American’s Atlantic and Pacific Joint Businesses represents an effort to combine the strengths of multiple airline networks across North America, Europe and Asia.For Alaska, the arrangement could provide a pathway to broader international reach while maintaining its focus on its West Coast customer base. For American and its joint-business partners, Alaska’s participation could expand access to passengers across the U.S. West Coast.
The Atlantic Joint Business, which has operated since 2010, would gain access to Alaska’s extensive West Coast network, while the Pacific Joint Business with Japan Airlines could similarly benefit from stronger connections to Alaska’s customer base.The airlines have positioned the proposed expansion around greater connectivity, customer choice and international access. Its implementation, however, remains dependent on regulatory approval.
As the carriers move forward with their applications, customers and the wider aviation industry will be watching how the proposed partnership develops and what changes it could bring to international travel between the West Coast, Europe and Asia.
About Alaska, Hawaiian and Horizon
Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines and Horizon Air are subsidiaries of Alaska Air Group, and McGee Air Services is a subsidiary of Alaska Airlines. We are a global airline with hubs in Seattle, Honolulu, Portland, Anchorage, Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco. We deliver remarkable care as we fly our guests to more than 140 destinations throughout North America, Latin America, Asia, the Pacific and Europe. Alaska and Hawaiian are members of the oneworld alliance. Members of our Atmos Rewards loyalty program can earn and redeem points with oneworld airlines and our additional global partners that serve over 1,100 worldwide destinations
About American Airlines Group
American Airlines is a premium global airline connecting more of the U.S. to the world. With roots tracing back to an air mail carrier in the Midwestern United States in 1926, American now operates more than 6,000 daily flights to more than 350 destinations in more than 60 countries and serves more than 200 million customers annually. Powered by a proud and talented team of 130,000 aviation professionals, American’s team lives out the airline’s purpose of caring for people on life’s journey every day.
The world’s largest airline proudly celebrates its centennial year in 2026, reaching a milestone that reflects a century of innovation and the Forever Forward spirit that changed the industry and the world. American introduced the first scheduled air cargo service, the first airport lounge and the first airline loyalty program and continues to reinvent the customer experience today. The airline is also a founding member of the oneworld alliance, whose members serve more than 900 destinations around the globe.