Alaska Airlines to Add New Mileage Partner: Aer Lingus

When Aer Lingus launches its new service between Dublin and Seattle on May 18, it won’t be going it alone.

Aer Lingus has partnered with Seattle’s hometown carrier, Alaska Airlines, in an interline relationship designed to make it easier for Aer Lingus passengers to transfer to Alaska Air flights, and vice versa.

But that’s just for the short term. Longer term, the agreement calls for reciprocal frequent-flyer program participation. That means members of Alaska’s Mileage Plan program will be able to earn and redeem miles for flights on Aer Lingus, and members of the Aer Lingus AerClub will be able to earn and redeem on Alaska Air flights.

Alaska’s Mileage Plan already has one of the most robust rosters of airline partners of any airline loyalty program, allowing program members to earn and redeem miles on 13 airlines serving over 900 destinations.

No dates for the loyalty program tie-up have been announced.

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After 20 years working in the travel industry, and 15 years writing about it, Tim Winship knows a thing or two about travel. Follow him on Twitter @twinship.