Three days before: the heat will soon rise in Seattle

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In three days, Alaska Airlines will unlock a host of new benefits that will put pressure on its largest hub. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) is Alaska Airlines’ largest hub. In recent years, Delta Air Lines has grown from a partner of Alaska Airlines to a rival, building a Seattle hub focused on trans-Pacific routes, something Alaska did not offer. There are only three days left before Alaska officially joins the aglobal alliance, Seattle could be in a scorching market of airline competition.

Alaska A321neo — There are only three days left before Alaska Airlines becomes a full member of the aglobal alliance. Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple theft

Three days before Alaska arrived aworld

In three days, Alaska Airlines will become the newest member of the aglobal alliance. Announced over a year ago, it immediately became clear that Seattle was going to become a hotbed of aviation activity.

American Airlines, currently the only US carrier in the aglobal alliance, announced early on that it would capitalize on Alaska’s position in Seattle to expand its presence in the city. The carrier plans to launch two new long-haul routes, notably to Bangalore and London-Heathrow.

Alaska and American — Alaska Airlines is preparing to partner much more closely with American Airlines. Photo: Getty Images

The American and Alaska announced an enhanced partnership at the same time Alaska announced it wanted to join the aglobal alliance. The enhanced partnership will see carriers expand their national code shares and extend them to international routes, including new US long haul out of Seattle.

American and Alaska vs. Delta

In Seattle, a major fight begins to prepare. With America and Alaska on one side and Delta on the other, these carriers will fight for dominance and success in Seattle.

Delta is the smallest airline in Seattle compared to the US and Alaskan presence in the city. Used primarily as a trans-Pacific gateway, Delta immediately sought to defend some of its international territories and announced a new London-Heathrow flight from Seattle to combat the new US flight.

Delta Getty — Delta has also shown that it is ready to defend its Seattle hub. Photo: Getty Images

Alaska Airlines has capitalized on its legacy position in Seattle to fuel its recent expansion. Passengers can fly to over 100 destinations from Seattle on a non-stop or one-stop route when booking with Alaska Airlines, so the carrier has much of the United States covered by air service.

Alaska Airlines still has plenty of room to expand and join the athe global alliance could make many of these flights viable. The airline could also take advantage of its new partnership to add new frequencies to its existing services.

Alaska Boeing 737 — Alaska Airlines is still SEA’s largest carrier. Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple theft

Why the aglobal membership will help Alaska Airlines

Joining an alliance has certain costs, but there are many advantages to an airline like Alaska. As a primarily short and medium haul carrier, Alaska Airlines cannot meet the needs of passengers who wish to fly overseas, to places like Tokyo, Shanghai, Sydney, Johannesburg, Frankfurt, London and many more.

As a member of the aAs a global alliance, Alaska Airlines will have a much better relationship with these airlines and will sell tickets to a wider range of destinations. Other carriers are also likely to add their own services to Seattle to get flows to and from the Alaska network.

In addition to that, Alaska will also be able to tap into new customer bases. A loyal American Airlines passenger who would traditionally fly from, say, Charleston, South Carolina, to Seattle via Dallas or Chicago, might choose to pay a little more and fly nonstop over Alaska, as they will receive benefits. additional of any elite status he might have.

Alaska currently appears keen to maintain its other existing partnerships with non-aligned carriers like Icelandair and Emirates as long as these partnerships are “mutually beneficial”. However, there may be some pressure from the news aglobal partners like Qatar Airways will be pulling out of some of these partnerships as these carriers add their own new flights to Seattle.

Alaska Getty — the aglobal membership will also help the airline retain a more loyal group of travelers who need to fly overseas. Photo: Getty Images

Once in the aglobal alliance, the Alaska Airlines team can monitor how and where its new passengers want to fly. As airlines like Qatar Airways add new frequencies and the carrier reviews its large Boeing 737 MAX order backlog, the airline could be on the verge of another push to expand out of Seattle and finally be in. measure to combat the encroachment of Delta on its territory of origin.

With three days to go, are you excited for Alaska to join oneworld? What are you most looking forward to with looming Alaska oneworld entry? Let us know in the comments!

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