Travellers can book Brazilian flights with checked bags on one Alaska ticket

Alaska Airlines announced on 10 November 2026 that it had expanded its partnership with Brazilian carrier GOL Linhas Aéreas, giving travellers more ways to book flights across Brazil and neighbouring South American countries. The arrangement is intended to make it easier for travellers departing the United States to reach destinations throughout Brazil and beyond.

Key facts

• Announced: 10 November 2026, by Alaska Airlines
• Available: immediately, for select GOL flights booked via the Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines websites
• New route link: from 28 March, connections via New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport to Rio de Janeiro on GOL
• Network: GOL operates about 675 daily flights and serves more than 80 airports
• Loyalty points: redeemable on GOL flights expected from early 2027

What is changing for travellers?

Passengers can now book select GOL flights through the Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines websites. Flights operated by the three carriers can be combined on a single ticket, with checked baggage transferred through to the final destination.

The agreement is designed to open up destinations across Brazil as well as neighbouring South American countries including Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, Colombia, Bolivia and Suriname.

Alaska Airlines is also widening its existing cooperation with American Airlines. Travellers will eventually be able to book more itineraries combining Alaska or Hawaiian flights with American Airlines services to Brazil, initially through New York, Dallas and Miami.

Which destinations can I reach?

GOL operates about 675 daily flights and serves more than 80 airports, including destinations in more than 60 Brazilian cities.

Starting 28 March, passengers travelling from the U.S. West Coast will be able to connect through New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport to Rio de Janeiro on GOL flights. From Rio, travellers will have access to connections to more than 35 cities, including São Paulo and Buenos Aires.

How do the loyalty points work?

Travellers can earn points through Atmos Rewards, the loyalty programme shared by Alaska and Hawaiian, when booking eligible GOL flights directly through either airline's website. Members are expected to be able to redeem points for GOL flights beginning in early 2027.

Alaska Airlines said Atmos Rewards members already earn points on American Airlines flights, while eligible status holders receive benefits including additional legroom and complimentary upgrades when available. From 2027, members will also be able to choose whether to earn rewards on eligible partner flights based on distance travelled, ticket price or flight segments.

Alex Judson, Alaska Airlines' managing director of partnerships and international, said the arrangement gives Atmos Rewards members "an exciting new gateway to South America".

What this means for travellers

Travellers booking Brazil or South America trips through the Alaska Airlines or Hawaiian Airlines websites can now add eligible GOL flights to a single ticket and check bags through to their final destination. The new U.S. West Coast connection to Rio de Janeiro via New York's JFK airport opens on 28 March, with onward links to more than 35 cities.

Additional South American destinations on the expanded American Airlines arrangements are expected in 2027, when loyalty programme members are also due to gain new options for how they earn rewards.