Alaska, Hawaiian to Join JVs

As part of its media and investor day on Tuesday, Alaska Air Group revealed its intention to join the transatlantic and transpacific joint ventures along with several of its oneworld friends. Going Down Under appears to be excluded for now, even though American and Qantas have a tie-up of their own. Regulatory approval is not a slam dunk on this one, so the process could end up being drawn out for many months…or more.

The transatlantic JV features Aer Lingus, American, British Airways, Iberia, Finnair, and most importantly, LEVEL. The pacific one is just American and Japan Airlines. Going towards Europe, the JV competes both with the United/Air Canada/Lufthansa Group Atlantic++ joint venture and the Delta/Air France-KLM/Virgin Atlantic conglomerate. Looking towards Asia, its primary competition is Delta and Korean’s tie-up along with United and ANA.

What all four of these other JVs have in common is that they only have one U.S. carrier party to the agreement. This would change that paradigm, putting both American and Alaska (and technically, Hawaiian too) all together in one big, cozy antitrust-free group for long-haul flying.

Alaska Shares New Premium Options

Alaska also announced upgrades to the pointy end of its aircraft and new lounge concepts as it looks to grow its share of the top right of the “K curve” economy that the industry is thoroughly enjoying.

The changes are vast, but the highlights include:

• B787: 34 new lie-flat suites called Aurora and 35 new premium economy seats called Premium Reserve beginning in 2028
• B737-10 MAX: 12 new Aurora seats and premium economy
• A330: Hawaiian’s fleet of 24 A330s will receive 22 new first class suites beginning in 2028 and it will also debut a premium economy option
• Seattle lounge: A new 41,000-square foot lounge in Seattle that will have seperate areas for Aurora fliers and those who pay extra to look at and mock the poors in the regular part of the lounge. This lounge will feature a cocktail that can only be ordered if you have the expensive Alaska credit card which seems like a great idea that won’t cause any issues.
• Honolulu lounge: A new 13,000-square foot lounge that will come with a POG juice fountain in HNL’s A gates in 2028. Guests will be required to affirm under the penalties of perjury that they have not ever entered any Southwest lounge in their life — or be denied access.

The A330 overhaul is particularly notable as those planes have aging interiors — which, when you really think about it…don’t we all? The updates will bring capacity down on the A330 fleet from 278 to 254.

United Expands Premium Basic Revolution

United Airlines debuted basic, unbundled tickets in Polaris earlier this year, and the airline is growing its program to include domestic first class and short-haul international flights marketed as business, but lacking a full Polaris experience.

Customers purchasing this option will receive one free checked bag included with the fare but no more. Seat assignments will cost extra, changes or refunds (whether for cash or credit) will not be available, and perhaps most tragically, customers will not be barred from enjoying flat soft drinks and borderline-expired snack mix in the opulent comfort of the United Club.

Like other basic-branded fares, these will earn less miles than their non-basic cousins. At this point, it feels inevitable that eventually the airline will only operate flights with Basic options to and from Newark as further punishment for those who choose that airport.

TSA to Require Document Checkers to Stand

The TSA, apparently disagreeing with George Costanza when it comes to staff sitting while on the clock will now require all document checkers (the folks who check our ID and match it with the name on the boarding pass) to stand at their podium while working.

The government has already begun the process of removing the chairs in most airports — so anyone who’s in the market for an uncomfortable chair that’s designed to be sat at a tall height might be able to get a good deal from your local TSA outfit. The union representing TSA agents is unhappy but doesn’t appear to have the power to stop it. TSA officials say this will make officers “more alert.” Is that a good thing?

We’re going to ask our on-the-ground-team of Cranky readers to keep an eye out this week while traveling and will create a hotline to report any TSA employees sitting while on the clock.

United Rolls Out Status Match

United Airlines revealed a status match offer to elite members of other carriers (really just American and Delta, but play along with them). The offer is to comp status for 90 days and offer a challenge to retain the status for the rest of this year and all of 2027 as well. The signups are available until October 15, and require you to submit documentation of your status at the other carrier, your sickest burn directed at Basic Economy passengers, and top three reasons to not connect through Newark.

The thresholds for buying tickets to retain status for the full year+ come in at $1,500 for Silver, $3,000 for Gold, $4,500 for Platinum, and $7,000 for 1K.

The airline is tying its marketing pitch to its Starlink Wi-Fi which will infamously not be a part of Delta’s offerings anytime soon. Delta’s gamble on Amazon’s Leo is not yet paying off, and United is seeking to take further advantage of Delta being behind its rivals in on-board connectivity. United is in the midst of updating its fleet with Starlink, and once it is complete, it’ll be free and fast for Mileage Plus members. But for now, unless you’re one of the lucky ones on a Starlink aircraft, it’s $8 and buffering for you.

• Aeromexico is expanding its revolving credit facility to $250 million.
• Air Astana began ticket sales for its 2x weekly flight to Tokyo.
• Air Transat secured a loan from the Canadian government.
• Austrian is out of the B767-300ER business.
• Cathay Pacific extended its suspension of service to the Middle East through February 1.
• Etihad is doubling its Sydney flights to 2x daily.
• Ethiopian is buying 10 cargo aircraft from Boeing with an option for eight more.
• JetBlue is beginning 1x daily Fort Lauderdale – Caracas service on February 4.
• KLM now expects to begin operating the A350 late this year.
• Pegasus closed its €142.3 million acquisition of Smartwings.
• Singapore is upgrading its premium cabin dining options.
• SriLankan Airlines named a new acting CEO.
• TAP‘s suitors continue to pursue the carrier.
• United CEO Scott Kirby isn’t done growing Chicago.
• Volotea entered court-supervised restructuring.
• Wizz Air capacity was up 25% in September.

I finally figured out why trees don’t have teeth.

Turns out they’re all bark and no bite.