Alaska Airlines Eyes Loyalty for Long-Haul Success

Alaska Airlines is banking on its loyal customer base to support its foray into long-haul flights, including newly announced routes to Tokyo and Seoul. With Seattle as its primary hub, the airline is confident in competing with Delta’s strong presence in the Pacific Northwest.

Brett Catlin, Alaska Airlines’ Vice President of Loyalty, Alliances, and Sales, spoke at Skift’s Megatrends 2025 conference in New York City, emphasizing the airline’s market dominance in Seattle, where it operates over half of the daily seats. “Flying long-haul out of Seattle is a natural evolution. As we’ve expanded over the years, our loyal customers have consistently chosen Alaska, and we expect the same for these new routes,” Catlin stated.

Alaska’s merger with Hawaiian Airlines, finalized in September, has bolstered its network to 141 destinations, offering reciprocal lounge access and shared loyalty benefits. While both brands will retain their identities, potential changes to Alaska’s Mileage Plan could be on the horizon. Research suggests passengers increasingly favor revenue-based earning systems, aligning with trends in other industries.

The discussion also highlighted Alaska’s focus on premium travel, including its lounges and credit card offerings for high-spending travelers. Catlin underscored the importance of providing a superior lounge experience, free from long queues, to cater to their most valued guests.

With its established reputation in the Seattle market and ongoing enhancements to its services, Alaska Airlines is positioning itself as a competitive player in the long-haul and premium travel segment.

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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, etc