Delta-Alaska Airlines Partnership: History, Termination, and Current Flight Options

The commercial partnership between Delta Air Lines and Alaska Airlines officially ended on May 1, 2017. For many years, the two carriers operated a highly cooperative codeshare and frequent flyer alliance that allowed passengers to seamlessly connect between Alaska's regional Pacific Northwest network and Delta's expansive domestic and global routes, earning and redeeming miles across both programs.

The partnership dissolved after Delta embarked on an aggressive expansion at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), turning Alaska's primary hometown fortress into a major Delta international hub. Today, the two airlines have no reciprocal agreements; Alaska is a member of the oneworld alliance alongside American Airlines, while Delta serves as an anchor of the SkyTeam alliance.

The History of the Delta-Alaska Alliance

Throughout the 2000s and early 2010s, the partnership between Delta and Alaska Airlines was considered one of the most successful domestic airline pacts in the industry:

• Complementary Networks: Delta lacked a strong hub in the Pacific Northwest, while Alaska possessed deep regional connectivity across Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Alaska, but lacked widebody aircraft to fly to Europe and Asia.
• Mutual Benefits: Under their codeshare agreement, travelers could book a single ticket from a small Alaskan city (like Juneau or Ketchikan) connecting through Seattle to Paris, Tokyo, or Atlanta on Delta.
• Loyalty Reciprocity: Delta SkyMiles members could earn and redeem miles on Alaska flights, and Alaska Mileage Plan members enjoyed identical reciprocal benefits on Delta flights. Elite status holders received reciprocal priority boarding, fee waivers, and preferred seating.

This cooperation benefited both carriers until shifting strategic ambitions in the Pacific Northwest forever changed their relationship.

To see how both airlines currently match up in route offerings, cabin amenities, and seat comfort, review our direct comparison of Alaska Airlines vs Delta.

The Seattle Showdown: Why the Partnership Dissolved

The alliance began unraveling around 2013 when Delta sought to establish a premier West Coast gateway for transpacific and transatlantic flying:

Delta's Need for a Pacific Gateway: Following its merger with Northwest Airlines, Delta inherited a hub in Tokyo-Narita. However, as international travel patterns shifted toward nonstop point-to-point flights from the U.S. mainland, Delta required a strong West Coast hub to launch direct flights to Asia.

Expansion into Seattle: Delta initially relied on Alaska Airlines to feed passengers into its new long-haul flights from Seattle to Tokyo, Seoul, London, and Amsterdam. However, Delta soon decided that relying on an independent partner for passenger feed was insufficient.

Head-to-Head Competition: Delta began launching its own domestic flights out of Seattle, competing directly on Alaska's most profitable trunk routes, including Seattle to San Francisco, Los Angeles, Anchorage, and Las Vegas.

Escalating Tensions: Alaska Airlines viewed Delta's rapid expansion as an aggressive invasion of its home airport. Rather than backing down, Alaska defended its Seattle market share by expanding aggressively and acquiring Virgin America in 2016.

The Final Split: With both airlines directly competing on dozens of domestic and transcontinental corridors, the codeshare agreement became untenable. In December 2016, both airlines jointly announced that all codesharing and mileage reciprocity would terminate permanently on May 1, 2017.

Understanding how Delta operates its nationwide connecting centers helps explain why it chose to build its own hub in Seattle. For a complete look at Delta's operational bases, explore our guide to Delta airlines hubs.

Can You Earn or Redeem Miles Between Delta and Alaska Today?

No. There is zero loyalty reciprocity between Delta SkyMiles and Alaska Mileage Plan:

• No Mile Accrual: Flying on an Alaska Airlines flight will not earn you Delta SkyMiles or Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs). Similarly, flying on Delta will not earn Alaska Mileage Plan miles.
• No Award Redemptions: You cannot use Delta SkyMiles to book flights operated by Alaska Airlines, nor can you use Alaska miles to book Delta flights.
• No Points Transfers: Points cannot be converted or transferred between the two frequent flyer accounts.

For a deeper dive into current loyalty rules, redemption restrictions, and frequent flyer policies, read our detailed guide on Delta miles on Alaska Airlines.

Current Alliance Alignments: oneworld vs SkyTeam

Following the split, both airlines charted separate global alliance strategies:

• Delta Air Lines & SkyTeam: Delta remains a founding leader in the SkyTeam global alliance. It maintains deep joint ventures with European carriers Air France, KLM, and Virgin Atlantic, along with extensive partnerships with Korean Air, LATAM, and Aeromexico. To learn which international carriers honor Delta miles and elite perks, see our comprehensive guide to Delta airline partners.
• Alaska Airlines & oneworld: In March 2021, Alaska Airlines formally joined the oneworld alliance, cementing a close domestic and international partnership with American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Qatar Airways, and Qantas. Alaska flyers can now earn and redeem miles across the entire oneworld network.

Booking Flights Between Delta and Alaska Today

Travelers can still fly on both airlines during a single journey, but doing so requires careful planning:

• Single Itinerary via Travel Agents: In some instances, an independent travel agent or online booking system can issue an interline ticket containing an Alaska flight and a Delta flight on a single ticket number. In these scenarios, luggage can typically be checked through to your final destination.
• Separate Ticket Bookings ("Self-Transfers"): If you purchase an Alaska ticket and a Delta ticket separately, you are conducting a self-transfer. Neither airline is obligated to protect your connection if the first flight is delayed, and you must collect your checked bags at the intermediate airport and re-check them with the second carrier.

How to Check the Latest Information

Airline schedules, alliance partnerships, and loyalty rules evolve constantly:

• Check current flight schedules directly on delta.com and alaskaair.com.
• Review official oneworld and SkyTeam member rosters before booking international partner flights.
• Ensure adequate layover time (at least 2.5 to 3 hours) if connecting between Alaska and Delta on separate reservations.

Policies, fees, schedules and availability can change. Verify the latest information with Delta Air Lines or the applicable airport before traveling.

What to Do If You Need Help

If you have questions about booking travel across the Pacific Northwest, need assistance building multi-airline itineraries, or want to explore current partner award options, our independent flight specialists can assist you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Delta and Alaska Airlines stop partnering?

The partnership dissolved because Delta expanded aggressively at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), launching direct flights that competed head-to-head with Alaska Airlines on its core domestic routes while establishing its own international hub.

Can I transfer Delta SkyMiles to Alaska Airlines?

No. SkyMiles cannot be transferred to Alaska Mileage Plan, nor can Alaska miles be transferred to Delta. The two frequent flyer programs operate entirely independently.

Can Delta check my bags through to an Alaska Airlines flight?

If both flights are booked together on a single ticket issued under an interline agreement, bags can usually be checked through. If the flights were purchased as separate reservations, Delta will only check bags to the destination on its own ticket.

Is Alaska Airlines part of the SkyTeam alliance?

No. Alaska Airlines is a member of the oneworld alliance alongside American Airlines and British Airways. Delta is a founding member of the SkyTeam alliance.

Which airline has more flights out of Seattle, Delta or Alaska?

Alaska Airlines operates the largest number of total daily flights and destinations out of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). However, Delta operates the largest long-haul international widebody network from Seattle.

Conclusion

The end of the Delta-Alaska Airlines partnership marked a major turning point in domestic aviation, transforming two close allies into fierce rivals for Pacific Northwest supremacy. While travelers can no longer enjoy seamless reciprocal miles or shared elite perks between the two, the intense competition has led to upgraded aircraft, enhanced terminal facilities, and competitive pricing out of Seattle. Understanding each airline's current alliance network ensures you make the most of your frequent flyer rewards.

Policies, fees, schedules and availability can change. Verify the latest information with Delta Air Lines or the applicable airport before traveling. For dedicated support booking flights and managing reservations, speak with an independent travel specialist at +1 725 765 9837.