Alaska Airlines does not operate a long-haul intercontinental or transatlantic route network. In fact, its longest flight covers 2,846 miles between Anchorage (ANC) and Chicago (ORD), according to Cirium data. However, through its Mileage Plan loyalty program and membership in the oneworld alliance, passengers can use Alaska miles to book long-haul intercontinental flights with partner airlines.
Pros of being in the oneworld alliance
After proudly operating as an independent airline for more than 80 years, Alaska Airlines has now been a member of the oneworld alliance for just three years. Belonging to one of the most significant airline alliances brought benefits for the airline and its travelers.
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Members of Alaska Airlines’ Mileage Plan
can use their miles to access over 1,000 destinations through oneworld alliance members and global partners, all earned by flying with Alaska Airlines. The Seattle-based carrier has 24 global airline partners, including Oneworld alliance
members and additional earn-and-redeem partners.
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Through Mileage Plan elite status, passengers are automatically eligible for oneworld Priority benefits. The oneworld alliance has three Priority tiers: Emerald, Sapphire, and Ruby. Each tier offers a range of benefits, such as airport lounge access, priority boarding, additional baggage allowance, expedited baggage handling, and more.
Flying to Europe
As an Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan member, you can earn and redeem miles when flying with British Airways.
For example, you can redeem Mileage Plan miles to take a direct flight with British Airways from Seattle Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to London Heathrow (LHR) in the United Kingdom. The distance between SEA and LHR is 4,800 miles.
Photo: Rene Dominguez | Shutterstock
According to 
Alaska Airlines
, flights between 3,501 and 5,000 miles require 27,500 Mileage Plan points for economy class, 35,000 for premium economy, 55,000 for business class, and 82,500 for first class. To redeem your miles for British Airways flights, it is important to book award travel online through Alaska Airlines.
If you are excited to fly on an Airbus A380 quadjet, you can potentially do so using Alaska’s Mileage Plan points. British Airways operates its A380s on routes to the United States and currently has 12 of these superjumbos in its fleet.
Photo: Alaska Airlines
If British Airways’ route network doesn’t meet your European travel needs, Alaska Airlines also partners with other European carriers, including Finnair (oneworld), Iberia (oneworld), Icelandair, Aer Lingus, and Condor.
Flying to the Middle East and Africa
Since Alaska Airlines has a plethora of airline partners, the Mileage Plan members can fly to many destinations in the Middle East and Africa.
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For example, passengers can use Mileage Plan miles to take a flight to Doha International Airport (DOH) from New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) with 
Qatar Airways
. The flight distance between the two destinations covers 6,704 miles. Flights between 5,001 and 7,000 miles require 35,000 Mileage Plan points for economy class, 45,000 for premium economy, 70,000 for business class, and 105,000 for first class.
Flying to Africa is also convenient, thanks to Alaska’s partnership with oneworld alliance member Royal Air Maroc. This allows you to use Alaska’s loyalty program miles to book flights to Africa. For example, you can fly directly from Miami (MIA) to Casablanca (CMN) or between Washington DC (IAD) and CMN airport.
Photo: Alaska Airlines
Other Middle Eastern and African airline partners are Oman Air (oneworld) and Royal Jordanian (oneworld).
Flying to Asia-Pacific
Even the most distant destinations are within reach for Alaska Airlines frequent fliers. If you’re looking to travel to Australia using Mileage Plan miles, you can book flights with Qantas
, a fellow member of the oneworld alliance.
Direct Qantas flights from the US to Australia include routes from Los Angeles (LAX) to Sydney (SYD) and from San Francisco (SFO) to Sydney (SYD), among others. The LAX to SYD route covers 7,488 miles and requires 42,500 Alaska Mileage Plan points for economy class or 130,000 for a first class experience.
Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying
Points can also be used to fly to Hong Kong (HKG) via oneworld partner Cathay Pacific. Mileage Plan members can fly directly from San Francisco (SFO) to HGK, which would cost 37,500 points for economy class.
Photo: Alaska Airlines
Other Asian-Pacific airline partners include Malaysia Airlines (oneworld), Japan Airlines (oneworld), SriLankan Airlines (oneworld), Fiji Airlines (oneworld), Hainan Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Korean Air, and Starlux Airlines.
Flying to South America
Flying to South American destinations requires the fewest Mileage Plan points. Members of the Alaska Airlines loyalty program can fly with LATAM Airlines from Los Angeles (LAX) to Lima (LIM) in Peru. As a long-haul flight, it starts at 35,000 points for economy class and at 75,000 for first class.
Photo: Alaska Airlines