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Alaska Airlines is preparing to make a far more ambitious play for the international traveller, announcing plans to join American Airlines’ Atlantic and Pacific Joint Businesses, a move that could significantly widen its global reach if regulators give the arrangement the green light.

The proposal would place Alaska inside two of American’s most important international commercial partnerships. On the Atlantic, American currently works with British Airways, Iberia, Finnair, Aer Lingus and LEVEL. Across the Pacific, American operates its joint business with Japan Airlines. Alaska and American said they expect to seek antitrust immunity from the US Department of Transportation, along with other relevant international approvals, in the coming months.

For passengers, the significance is straightforward: deeper airline cooperation can mean better-coordinated schedules, easier connections, broader network access and more integrated loyalty benefits.

For Alaska, it is also a strategic step towards becoming a more globally relevant carrier rather than simply an exceptionally strong operator on the US West Coast.

“Alaska Accelerate is about building a stronger, more global airline for our guests, and expanding our partnership with American is an important step in that strategy,” said Alaska’s Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer Andrew Harrison. “Joining these joint businesses would put Alaska on equal footing with its competitors by giving our guests more seamless access to international destinations while preserving the care, loyalty benefits and premium experience they expect from Alaska.”

That is the corporate version.

In everyday traveller language, Alaska wants to make Seattle, Portland and its wider West Coast network more useful gateways to the world and it would rather do that alongside heavyweight partners already possessing extensive international networks than attempt to build every long-haul link itself.

American partnership heads for bigger skies

American Airlines sees the proposal in similarly expansive terms.

“We’re proud of our long-standing partnership with Alaska Airlines and excited to build on its success,” said American’s Chief Commercial Officer Nat Pieper. “Together, with our joint business partners in the Atlantic and Pacific, we are enhancing a global network that gives customers greater access, convenience and choice.”

The Atlantic Joint Business dates from 2010. It currently links American with British Airways, Iberia, Finnair, Aer Lingus and LEVEL, creating an extensive coordinated network across one of aviation’s most valuable international markets.

International Airlines Group, whose airline portfolio includes British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus and LEVEL, has welcomed Alaska’s proposed entry.

“Alaska Airlines is a highly regarded partner and we welcome its intention to join the AJB,” said Julio Rodríguez Contreras, International Airlines Group (IAG)’s Chief Commercial Strategy Officer. “For more than 15 years, the Atlantic Joint Business has delivered greater choice, better connectivity and a more seamless travel experience across the North Atlantic. Alaska Airlines will further strengthen the partnership and help expand travel options on both sides of the Atlantic.”

It is a formidable club to join. The North Atlantic remains one of global aviation’s most commercially important long-haul markets, meaning Alaska would gain a considerably larger international shop window without suddenly having to paint hundreds of new aircraft tails.

Japan Airlines opens another international door

Across the Pacific, the potential prize is equally substantial.

American and Japan Airlines commenced their trans-Pacific joint business in 2011 after securing regulatory approval, and the partnership now provides coordinated connections between North America, Japan and destinations further into Asia. Japan Airlines describes the arrangement as providing coordinated schedules, reciprocal loyalty benefits and broader connectivity.

“We warmly welcome Alaska Airlines’ intent to join the Pacific Joint Business, as we celebrate our 15th anniversary of the partnership with American Airlines,” said Ross Leggett, Japan Airlines’ Senior Managing Executive Officer, Senior Vice President – Route Marketing. “This expansion will further strengthen our combined network, offering customers more travel options between Asia and North America. We are excited to work closely with our partners to bring greater value to customers across the Pacific.”

For Australian and Asia-Pacific travellers, this is where the development becomes particularly worth watching.

Alaska’s West Coast strength, especially through Seattle, could eventually create more attractive connecting possibilities between Asia, North America and secondary US destinations when combined with Japan Airlines and American’s networks.

Japan Airlines and American already promote their Pacific Joint Business as offering access throughout North America, Latin America, the Caribbean, Japan and wider Asia.

That makes Alaska’s potential addition far more significant than another logo appearing on an alliance chart.

Regulators still hold the boarding pass

However, there is an important piece of fine print.

Regulators still hold the boarding pass.

American and Alaska have announced their intention to pursue the arrangement and expect to file for US Department of Transportation approval and antitrust immunity, as well as seek other relevant international regulatory clearances.

That qualification matters.

Joint businesses go far beyond ordinary codeshare agreements. They can permit airlines to coordinate important commercial activities across covered markets, including schedules and connecting opportunities. That closer relationship is precisely why such arrangements attract competition scrutiny.

For now, passengers should see this as a strategic announcement rather than something that will transform their bookings tomorrow morning.

But the direction of travel is unmistakable.

Alaska Airlines is looking beyond its traditional West Coast strengths and increasingly positioning itself as a gateway into a much larger international system. American gains a stronger West Coast partner, while its Atlantic and Pacific partners gain additional access to Alaska’s domestic network.

Should regulators ultimately approve the plan, Alaska’s familiar smiling face on the tail could become attached to journeys reaching considerably farther than the airline’s own aircraft.

In aviation terms, Alaska may still have its feet firmly planted on America’s western edge, but its commercial ambitions are now looking decidedly global.