Delta, Alaska to end codeshare partnership in May 2017

Atlanta-headquartered Delta Air Lines and Seattle-headquartered Alaska Airlines will terminate their code-sharing agreement effective May 1, 2017 and sales of flights under DL- and AS-coded flight numbers flown on Alaska and Delta aircraft respectively will cease.

Delta (NYSE:DAL) and Alaska (NYSE:ALK) codeshare on a relatively small number of flights, as Delta’s growth in Seattle has reduced the need for codeshare flying. At present, the carrier operates more than 150 peak-day flights from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to more than 40 destinations.

Flight 281 takes off into cloudy Seattle skies
“We view Seattle and the Pacific Northwest as one of the most important markets in the country, with strong economic growth, cultural diversity and some of the world’s most innovative brands and minds,” Mike Medeiros, Delta’s Vice President – Seattle, said.

“As a result, we have invested heavily in our product, services, facilities and the community," he continued. "Our focus now is earning the long-term trust of Pacific Northwest customers by demonstrating the value of partnering with a global airline.”

Delta has more than tripled flights and destinations since 2013. In its announcement of the change, Delta said it will continue its commitment of investment and growth at SEA, which Medeiros declared the airline’s newest hub in 2014.

As a result of the termination of the partnership, customers of each airline will no longer be able to earn and redeem miles on flights operated by the other carrier. The carriers will retain an interline agreement, allowing them to continue offering customers ticketing and baggage connectivity.

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Photo by Carl Dombek
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