Alaska Airlines and Japan Airlines (JAL) have announced plans for a codeshare agreement and frequent flier partnership.
From the West Coast, JAL flies nonstop between Tokyo and Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Vancouver, B.C. and between Los Angeles and Osaka. JAL also offers an extensive network within Japan and throughout Asia.
The new codeshare agreement takes effect from June 29 pending government approval.
"As a premium Japanese airline, JAL is a great addition to Alaska's line-up of high-quality global partners, giving our Mileage Plan members more ways to earn and redeem miles for travel from the West Coast to Japan and beyond," said Andrew Harrison, Alaska's executive vice president and chief commercial officer. "For the first time, our members will be able to earn and redeem miles within Japan, taking advantage of 600 daily flights on JAL's broad domestic network."
Harrison said the new partnership will especially benefit the airline's customers in the state of California, who can take advantage of JAL's nonstop flights from the Bay Area, L.A. and San Diego. Alaska Airlines will provide connections via its expansive network of feeder flights across California, Oregon, Idaho and Washington.
"We are pleased to offer our customers more routes and destinations with our new partner Alaska Airlines," said Hideki Oshima, JAL executive officer, international relations and alliances. "The new cooperation also allows JAL to strengthen its presence throughout the Pacific Northwest."
Members of Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan will be able to begin earning miles on JAL early this summer. Redemption for award travel will begin later in 2016. JAL's codeshare will be on Alaska Airlines routes from JAL's California gateways, plus Vancouver.