HereWeGo
June 3, 2026 • 3 min read
Alaska Airlines and Korean Air have announced plans to revive their codeshare agreement, creating new opportunities for travelers. This move is particularly significant in the competitive landscape against Delta.
Introducing the New Codeshare Agreement
Alaska Airlines and Korean Air have recently submitted a request to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to reinstate their codeshare agreement. This initiative is anticipated to bring substantial changes to the aviation relationship between the airlines, especially in light of their competition with Delta Air Lines.
Alaska Airlines currently operates flights from Seattle (SEA) to Seoul Incheon (ICN) and plans to collaborate with Korean Air to share flight codes to destinations such as Bangkok (BKK), Busan (PUS), Delhi (DEL), Hanoi (HAN), Ho Chi Minh City (SGN), and Singapore (SIN).
The Competitive Landscape
In the airline industry, codeshare agreements are viewed as a collaborative effort that allows airlines to share flight codes, optimizing passenger numbers. Theoretically, this is a strategic move for both parties, maximizing customer capacity on flights.
However, it is noteworthy that Alaska Airlines and Delta Air Lines have previously had a rather contentious relationship. Delta has a trans-Pacific joint venture with Korean Air, and Alaska's return to collaboration with Korean Air could potentially harm Delta in this competitive context.
Pressure from Delta
Delta is striving to expand its market presence in Seattle and is directly competing with Alaska. Given Delta's reputation and significant influence, it is understandable that the airline would exert pressure on Korean Air to sever ties with Alaska. While Korean Air retains the right to make independent decisions, the partnerships within the joint venture are typically closely intertwined.
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It is clear that Delta is not pleased with Alaska's renewed partnership with Korean Air. From a competitive standpoint, this could be seen as a shock to Delta, which has been working hard to maintain its edge in the Seattle market.
Information for Vietnamese Travelers
For Vietnamese travelers, flying from Hanoi (HAN) or Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) to Seoul Incheon (ICN) is a popular choice, especially with the potential for utilizing future codeshare flights. Currently, one-way tickets from Hanoi to Seoul are priced around 5-7 million VND. Travelers should be aware of visa requirements when entering South Korea, which typically does not require a visa for stays under 30 days.
The flight from Seattle to Seoul is part of a global aviation network, and the new collaboration between Alaska and Korean Air is sure to provide more flight options. Notably, flights to other major cities in Asia from Seoul will open up many opportunities for those planning to travel in the region.
Conclusion
The revival of the partnership between Alaska Airlines and Korean Air could bring surprises to the aviation industry, particularly for Delta Air Lines. However, it also opens up numerous new opportunities for travelers, especially for Vietnamese, with additional options for planning flights to Asia. Stay tuned for updates on this agreement so you don’t miss out on the best opportunities for your journey.
Article adapted and edited from: One Mile at a Time
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