Japan Airlines and Alaska Airlines have announced plans to enter into a codeshare agreement and a frequent flier partnership, which will provide customers with an enhanced network and more mileage earning opportunities between Japan and the US Pacific Northwest.

With Alaska Airlines’ extensive operations across California, Oregon, Idaho and Washington, JAL customers will have more flight options and access to new cities including Seattle and Portland.

Additionally, travellers can take advantage of more improved connections to and from Asia via JAL’s West Coast operations including Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego and Vancouver, BC.

With the new codeshare agreement, scheduled to take effect June 29th, pending government approval (official commencement date of the mileage partnership will be announced shortly), customers who fly Alaska Airlines and JAL will be provided with seamless reservations and one-stop check-in and thru-checked baggage to JL/AS final destination.

“We are pleased to offer our customers more routes and destinations with our new partnership with Alaska Airlines,” said Hideki Oshima, JAL executive officer, international relations and alliances.

“The new cooperation also allows JAL to strengthen its own presence throughout the Pacific Northwest and will provide additional mileage earning and redemption opportunities for our customers.”

JAL operates a modern fleet of Boeing 777-300ERs and 787-8s between Japan and North America.

The airline offers up to four classes of service: First, Business, Premium Economy and Economy.

“As a premium Japanese airline, JAL is a great addition to Alaska’s line-up of high quality global partners, giving our Mileage Plan members more ways to earn miles for travel from the West Coast to Japan and beyond,” said Andrew Harrison, Alaska’s executive vice president and chief commercial officer.

“For the first time, our members will be able to earn and redeem miles within Japan, taking advantage of 600 daily flights on JAL’s broad domestic network.”