Alaska Airlines plans to join American's Atlantic and Pacific joint businesses

Alaska Airlines wants to join two of American Airlines' biggest international partnerships. On Sept. 29, the two airlines said they plan for Alaska to join American's Atlantic Joint Business and its Pacific Joint Business. Nothing changes for travelers yet. This is a plan, and it still needs approval from regulators in the United States and abroad.

Here is what the airlines announced, what a joint business is, and what it could mean for your next trip.

What the airlines announced

According to Alaska's announcement, the carriers expect to file with the U.S. Department of Transportation in the coming months. They will ask for approval and for antitrust immunity. They also plan to seek other approvals from international regulators. The release does not give a date for when Alaska could actually join.

The two groups Alaska hopes to join are:

• The Atlantic Joint Business. It began in 2010. Its members are American, British Airways, Iberia, Finnair, Aer Lingus and LEVEL.
• The Pacific Joint Business. It launched shortly after the Atlantic one. Its members are American and Japan Airlines.

Alaska says the move builds on its existing ties with American and with their oneworld partners on both oceans. Alaska and Hawaiian are already members of the oneworld alliance.

What a joint business is

A joint business is a deeper kind of airline partnership than a codeshare or an alliance. In general, the airlines in a joint business work together on a set of routes almost as if they were one company. They can plan schedules together, coordinate fares and share the money they earn on those routes.

Airlines that compete would normally not be allowed to do this. That is why the partners need antitrust immunity from the government. Regulators look at whether the deal would hurt competition before they approve it.

For Alaska, the release frames this as a matter of keeping up. Andrew Harrison, Alaska's chief commercial officer, said joining would put Alaska "on equal footing with its competitors." The airlines also say the move will increase competition and improve connections along the West Coast.

What it could mean for travelers

The airlines describe the benefits in broad terms. Alaska says the goal is more seamless access to international destinations. American says the larger network would give customers more access, convenience and choice.

Here is how that breaks down, based on what the release says and does not say:

• Routes and connections. The airlines point to better links between the West Coast and the partners' networks across the Atlantic and Pacific. British Airways' parent group said Alaska would help expand travel options on both sides of the Atlantic. Japan Airlines said the deal would bring more travel options between Asia and North America. The release names no new routes or schedule changes.
• Loyalty earning. Alaska says it wants to keep the loyalty benefits its guests expect. Members of its Atmos Rewards program can already earn and redeem points with oneworld airlines and other partners. The release does not say whether earning or redemption would change under the joint businesses.
• Lounge access. The release does not mention lounges. It says nothing about new lounge access or reciprocity between Alaska and the other partners. Alaska has not said whether any lounge rules would change.

Today, Alaska's own lounges, such as the Alaska Lounge (N) in Seattle and the Alaska Lounge at San Francisco, are listed in our directory with oneworld lounge access. That reflects the current alliance rules, not anything in this announcement.

Approvals and timing

The next step is the filing with the Department of Transportation, which the airlines expect in the coming months. Approval is not guaranteed. Regulators abroad will also have a say. Until approvals come through, fares, routes, points and lounge access stay as they are.

Japan Airlines noted that its partnership with American is now 15 years old. British Airways' parent group said the Atlantic group has run for more than 15 years. Alaska would be joining two long-running partnerships, not starting a new one.

We will update this story if the airlines share details on timing, routes, points or lounge access.