- American Airlines and Alaska Airlines plan to expand their existing relationship by bringing Alaska into American’s Atlantic and Pacific Joint Businesses, pending regulatory approval and antitrust immunity.
American Airlines Group Inc. (NASDAQ: AAL) and Alaska Air Group Inc. (NYSE: ALK) announced Sept. 30 that Alaska Airlines intends to join American’s Atlantic Joint Business and Pacific Joint Business, expanding the carriers’ international cooperation. The airlines outlined the proposal in their joint announcement.
American and Alaska said they expect to apply to the US Department of Transportation for approval and antitrust immunity in the coming months, while also seeking other required international regulatory approvals.
The proposal would not merge the companies. American and Alaska would remain separate airlines while operating within the expanded international joint-business framework. The Atlantic Joint Business, established in 2010, includes American Airlines, British Airways, Iberia, Finnair, Aer Lingus and LEVEL. The Pacific Joint Business includes American Airlines and Japan Airlines.
Alaska Builds International Network From Seattle
The planned expansion comes as Alaska continues building its long-haul international network, particularly from Seattle. Alaska Air Group said it currently operates international long-haul service from Seattle to destinations including London, Rome, Reykjavik, Tokyo and Seoul, with Paris and Athens planned for spring 2027. The company now targets at least 15 long-haul intercontinental destinations from Seattle by 2030, according to its Alaska Accelerate strategy.
The airline's international expansion has accelerated following Alaska Air Group's acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines. Hawaiian's widebody aircraft have provided Alaska with additional capacity for long-haul routes, particularly across the Pacific.
The carrier has also been expanding its premium offering as it develops Seattle into a larger international gateway. Alaska's current long-haul expansion includes services to Europe and Asia. The company previously said it planned to operate at least 12 international destinations from Seattle using long-haul aircraft by 2030, before raising that target to 15 as part of its latest strategy update.
Alaska and Hawaiian together also provide connectivity across the Pacific, while membership in the oneworld alliance gives customers access to a much larger global network.
American operates more than 6,000 daily flights to more than 350 destinations in more than 60 countries, according to the companies. Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines and Horizon Air serve more than 140 destinations across their combined networks.
The proposed joint businesses would connect those networks more closely with American's existing international partnerships. For passengers, the arrangement could allow more coordinated connections between Alaska's West Coast network and destinations served by American and its joint-business partners.
The companies said the expanded cooperation is intended to improve international connectivity while preserving Alaska's brand and loyalty program. The proposal also comes as Alaska moves through the next phase of its Alaska Accelerate plan, which includes international expansion, premium products, expanded loyalty offerings and cargo growth.
Regulatory Approval Is the Next Step
The proposed expansion cannot begin in its planned form until the airlines receive the necessary regulatory approvals. American and Alaska said they expect to submit an application to the US Department of Transportation and request antitrust immunity. The department's rules allow approved airline joint ventures to coordinate certain international operations under specified conditions.
The companies have not announced when the regulatory process will be completed. The review will determine whether the proposed arrangement can proceed and whether regulators impose any conditions.
The proposed partnership would give Alaska a role in both of American's major international joint businesses while the carrier continues expanding its own long-haul operation. For American, adding Alaska would extend its existing international network into a larger West Coast customer base, particularly through Seattle and Alaska Air Group's Pacific operations.
The timing also comes as Alaska Air Group focuses increasingly on premium and international revenue. The company said its latest strategy is designed to build a more global and diversified airline, with roughly two-thirds of its $1 billion incremental profit target already captured and the full amount expected by 2027. The airlines have not disclosed any change to their separate corporate structures or brands under the proposed arrangement.
For now, the key development is the intention to add Alaska Airlines to American's Atlantic and Pacific Joint Businesses. The companies still need to file with regulators, secure antitrust immunity, and obtain other required approvals before the expanded partnership can take effect.