FORT WORTH- American Airlines (AA) pilots assert that the airline’s planned codeshare on Alaska Airlines (AS) new European routes breaches their scope clause, limiting international partnerships.
Alaska Airlines, leveraging Boeing 787s from its Hawaiian Airlines merger, will launch flights from Seattle (SEA) to Rome (FCO), London (LHR), and Reykjavik (KEF), prompting American’s interest in Northwest expansion.
Photo: American Airlines Airbus A321 -231 Taxiing on the south si… | Flickr | Creator: Bill AbbottAmerican Pilots Oppose Alaska Codeshare
American Airlines (AA) seeks to codeshare on Alaska Airlines (AS) European routes to boost its West Coast presence without adding aircraft.
The Allied Pilots Association (APA), representing 16,000 pilots, opposes this, stating it violates scope clauses that allow domestic codesharing but prohibit international ones, Forbes reported.
APA President Nick Silva reported that American had directly admitted plans to disregard these clauses during discussions. Scope clauses protect pilot jobs by preventing the outsourcing of widebody flights, ensuring career progression from short-haul to long-haul roles.
Alaska’s merger provides four Boeing 787s, originally for Hawaiian Airlines (HA), now enabling transatlantic services.
These aircraft face codeshare limits under existing contracts. Silva filed two grievances for arbitration in October: one on the codeshare violation and another on using Hawaiian aircraft for Alaska’s international growth.
Representative Photo: American AirlinesPilot Career Protection
Scope clauses safeguard American Airlines (AA) pilots’ opportunities by restricting outsourcing of long-haul flights. Allowing codeshare on Alaska’s widebody routes could sideline AA pilots, reducing their access to premium international flying.
APA spokesperson Dennis Tajer emphasized that these clauses protect current jobs and future advancements, maintaining a development pipeline for pilots.
Outsourcing risks stunting career growth, as pilots eyeing long-haul positions might see those roles go to partner airlines.
This dispute highlights tensions in airline alliances, where expansion benefits clash with labor protections.
Photo: Alaska AirlinesAlaska Airlines’ European Expansion Plans
Following its merger with Hawaiian Airlines, Alaska Airlines has secured four Boeing 787 Dreamliners.
These aircraft enable the airline, historically focused on narrowbody fleets, to begin transatlantic operations. Rome (FCO) will be the first European destination, with London (LHR) and Reykjavik (KEF) expected to follow.
For American Airlines, codesharing on these routes would allow greater visibility on the West Coast without allocating additional widebody aircraft.
This strategy also complements its transpacific joint venture with Japan Airlines (JL), which may eventually expand to include Alaska Airlines.
Photo: Cado PhotoMarket Position In Seattle
Seattle-Tacoma (SEA) sees Delta Air Lines (DL) as the second largest carrier with 20% of flights, offering international services to London Heathrow (LHR), Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG), Seoul Incheon (ICN), and others.
Delta plans Barcelona (BCN) and Rome (FCO) additions in May. United Airlines (UA) also competes strongly in trans-Pacific routes.
American Airlines (AA) lags in West Coast international presence but partners with Japan Airlines (JL) for US-Japan coordination.
According to SF, Japan Airlines considers including Alaska in this agreement, potentially enhancing American’s Northwest footprint through codesharing.
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