Alaska Airlines and Icelandair announce codeshare and Frequent Flier partnership agreement

SEATTLE – Alaska Airlines and Icelandair have entered into a codeshare agreement and frequent flier partnership, which will give customers easier connections and more ways to earn benefits when flying between the U.S. and Europe.
 

With the new codeshare agreement, to take effect Nov. 1 pending government approval, customers flying on Alaska Airlines and Icelandair will enjoy seamless reservations and ticketing, one-stop check-in, baggage checked to its final destination, coordinated flight schedules, the ability to earn miles and/or points on the reciprocal airline and consistent passenger service standards. 
 

Elite-level members of each airline’s frequent flier program also will receive reciprocal club lounge benefits.
 

“This new partnership with Icelandair is another example of how Alaska is raising the bar to allow its Mileage Plan members to travel and earn miles to all corners of the globe through a diverse network of international carriers,” said Andrew Harrison, Alaska Airlines’ executive vice president and chief commercial officer. “Icelandair offers our frequent fliers a unique option for flying and earning miles to Europe from our Seattle, Portland and Anchorage gateways.“
 

Icelandair operates flights from 16 cities in North America to Iceland with connections to more than 20 destinations in Europe, including Amsterdam, Brussels, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, London and Paris. Travelers can also enjoy an Icelandair stop-over to visit the city of Reykjavik and tour surrounding areas for up to seven nights at no additional airfare charge.
 

“With today’s announcement of our Alaska Airlines partnership, Icelandair continues to expand its network, including more flights, more gateways and more destinations,” said Helgi Mar Bjorgvinsson, Icelandair’s senior vice president of sales and marketing. “Our codeshare flights and mileage partnership will make travel seamless from the West Coast, reward frequent travelers on both Icelandair and Alaska Airlines, and offer our passengers even more options when traveling to Iceland and beyond.“

 

As an added benefit, starting Oct. 1 Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan MVP Gold and Gold 75K members will receive complimentary access to Icelandair’s Saga Lounge at Keflavik International Airport in Reykjavik and Icelandair Saga Gold and Silver members will enjoy complimentary access to Alaska Board Room lounges in Seattle, Portland, Anchorage and Los Angeles. 
 

Members of Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan can begin earning miles on Icelandair starting Oct. 1, and through Dec. 15, 2015 the airline is offering double miles. Miles flown will count toward elite status in Alaska’s Mileage Plan. Members of Icelandair’s Saga Club can begin earning Saga Points for flights on Alaska starting Oct. 1. Redemption for award travel will start later this year.
 

Icelandair has a long history of providing flights from the United States to Europe. The airline offers onboard Wi-Fi access, personal inflight entertainment, three cabins of service and two free checked bags for customers. Icelandair Saga Club, Icelandair’s frequent flier program, offers members multiple options to redeem their Saga Points, whether it is a flight with Icelandair, onboard refreshments and duty free items, hotel accommodations around the world or gift certificates at various retailers in U.S. and Canada. The most frequent fliers with Saga Gold and Silver status enjoy excellent benefits, such as upgrades, lounge access and extra baggage allowance. 
 

Over the last few years Alaska has grown its codeshare and frequent flier partnerships with the world’s best airlines to provide customers with convenient service to most every point on the globe. In July, Alaska added China-based carrier Hainan Airlines as a Mileage Plan partner. Mileage Plan was ranked “Highest in Customer Satisfaction with Airline Loyalty Rewards Programs, Two Years in a Row” in the J.D. Power Airline Loyalty/Rewards Program Satisfaction Report. 
 

Also, Alaska Airlines begins nonstop service between Nashville and Seattle, increasing the number of nonstop destinations from its Seattle hub to 84 – twice as many as Alaska’s nearest competitor.
 

“Our new nonstop flight between Seattle and Nashville connects two of the country’s largest and most popular music capitals,” said John Kirby, the airline’s vice president of capacity planning. “Loyal Pacific Northwest customers will enjoy our convenient schedule, and our new Nashville customers will appreciate our great service, complimentary assigned seats and our premium cabin experience.“
 

“We are thrilled to welcome Alaska Airlines to Nashville and Middle Tennessee,” said Rob Wigington, Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority president and CEO. “Year-round nonstop service to Seattle has been one of our top priorities, as part of a strategic effort to deliver nonstop service to major cities in the northwest U.S. that will continue to fuel Nashville’s growth and economic prosperity.“
 

Alaska is operating the new flights with fuel-efficient, next generation Boeing 737 aircraft. Customers can enjoy free entertainment on their own devices and power at every seat, as well as Northwest-inspired food and beverages, such as Beecher’s Flagship cheese and exclusively blended Canoe Ridge wine.
 

Prior to take-off, Alaska customers onboard the inaugural Seattle-Nashville flight will be treated to a special serenade from their pilot, 32-year Alaska Airlines veteran Michael Rinehart. The singers are members of the Northwest Sound Men’s Chorus, which placed 20th at the 2015 Barbershop Harmony Society’s International Championships.