Seattle (TAN): United States-based Alaska Airlines has entered into a partnership with El Al Israel Airlines which will enable passengers to fly between the two countries with connections on both carriers in both directions. Under the agreement, loyalty members will be able to earn points while flying with the partner airline.
While base miles on El Al will equal an elite status in Alaska’s Mileage Plan programme, El Al flyers will be able to redeem their points in the future to secure seats on Alaska flights.
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“Alaska Airlines and EL AL will now offer more opportunities than ever before for travelers to fly nonstop between the West Coast and Tel Aviv,” Chief Executive Officer of Alaska Airlines, Brad Tilden said.
“Through our partnership, both EL AL and Alaska Airlines offer frequent flyer benefits to our guests while sharing the genuine, caring service that is at the heart of both of our airlines,” he added.
The reciprocal frequent flyer agreement was signed by the chief executive officers of both airlines at a ceremony in San Francisco.
Gonen Usishkin, Chief Executive Officer, El Al Israel Airlines, said: “Alaska Airlines was instrumental in helping bring Jews to Israel in the early years of the state, helping to build our country and now as we celebrate 70 years of those historic flights, continue to be a key player along with EL AL in building the bridges between America and Israel.”
El Al will fly three times a week, with flights taking off from Tel Aviv on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 0105 hours, and reaching San Francisco at 0600 hours, local time. Flights from San Francisco will depart Mondays and Wednesdays at 2000 hours to arrive in Tel Aviv at 1940 hours, local time. Flights that leave San Francisco on Saturdays at 2245 hours, will land in Tel Aviv at 2225 hours, local time.
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El Al will use its Boeing 787 Dreamliner with business, premium and economy seats to operate the route.
Following the partnership with El Al, Alaska’s global partners will serve over 80 flights each week out of San Francisco by next month.
