JAL, Alaska Airlines expand codeshares

Japan Airlines and Alaska Airlines are expanding their year-old codeshare partnership, giving each more destinations to sell in the other's country, and providing more opportunities for miles and awards.

Alaska's takeover last year of Virgin America strengthened its cross-country route network and helped it bulk up West Coast traffic, meaning more cities that can be reached on a JAL ticket. In a codeshare arrangement, each airline can sell seats on selected flights as if they were its own.

One result of that is that passengers can book through their preferred airline and earn that airline's miles, and may be able to claim award seats on the codeshare flights that otherwise might not be available.