Alaska Airlines joins global network, adds perks for elite flyers and promises more connectivity later Author: Dominic Gates, The Seattle Times Updated: 9 hours ago Print article In the midst of a pandemic that has almost paralyzed international air travel, Alaska Airlines on Wednesday joined the oneworld alliance of 13 other global airlines. COVID-19 lockdowns have reduced international air travel to about 20% of what it was in 2019, so this move’s promised benefits to Alaska passengers in terms of increased connectivity will clearly be slow in materializing. The full integration of Alaska’s online flight-booking system with the other airlines is months away.