Ravn Alaska signs mileage agreement with Alaska Airlines

Ravn Alaska passengers inside Alaska can now earn Alaska Airlines miles when they travel with the regional air carrier that formed out of the bankruptcy of Ravn Air Group last year.

The company announced Thursday that its customers can choose between earning and redeeming Ravn miles through its rewards program or the Alaska Airlines mileage plan, provided they have an account.

Ravn and Alaska Airlines started discussions about the agreement in March, according to Ravn CEO Rob McKinney.

“We’ve been working on this a while,” McKinney said.

Customers can start earning miles now, and should be able to redeem miles in two or three weeks, he said.

Ravn, formerly RavnAir Group Inc., filed for bankruptcy 14 months ago and has since been restructured as Ravn Alaska under new management and ownership. Before bankruptcy, Ravn served more than 100 communities across the state; now they fly to 13 including Anchorage.

An Alaska Airlines spokesperson didn’t return a request for more information about the agreement Friday.

The company issued a statement as part of the Ravn announcement: “Alaska Airlines continues our tradition of looking for ways for Alaskans to have options when flying. Working with regional carriers like Ravn Alaska is one way to offer Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan members the ability to earn and redeem miles for trips connecting within Alaska to our extensive out of state network.”

Residents in Unalaska have been waiting for the resumption of Alaska Airlines mileage availability since the company ended a marketing agreement for the Dutch Harbor route after a fatal plane crash on a Ravn Air Group operated flight into Unalaska in October 2019.

Ravn did offer a “local Aleutians fare” at a discounted rate, McKinney said.

Ravn Alaska serves Aniak, Cold Bay, Dillingham, Dutch Harbor, Homer, Kenai, King Salmon, Sand Point, St. Mary’s, St. Paul Island, Unalakleet and Valdez.