Alaska's Atmos Rewards Adds GOL, Expands South America Reach

<div class="key-facts"><h2>What travelers need to know</h2><ul> <li><strong>What happened:</strong> Alaska Airlines said its Atmos Rewards program has added Brazilian carrier GOL Linhas Aéreas as a new partner and is expanding its existing American Airlines partnership to add more South America connections.</li> <li><strong>Who's affected:</strong> Atmos Rewards members flying Alaska Airlines or Hawaiian Airlines who want to reach Brazil, Argentina and other South American destinations.</li> <li><strong>Where:</strong> New connections link West Coast departures through New York (JFK), Dallas (DFW) and Miami (MIA) to Rio de Janeiro (GIG), São Paulo (GRU) and onward GOL cities including Buenos Aires.</li> <li><strong>When:</strong> Booking select GOL flights starts <time datetime="2025-11-10">Nov. 10, 2025</time>; the new JFK-to-Rio connection begins <time datetime="2027-03-28">March 28, 2027</time>; point redemption on GOL flights and expanded American Airlines earning options arrive in early 2027.</li> <li><strong>What to do:</strong> Travelers can book select GOL flights now on alaskaair.com or hawaiianairlines.com and earn Atmos points, with redemption and additional American Airlines routes to follow in 2027.</li> </ul></div> <p>Alaska Airlines said Atmos Rewards, its loyalty program shared with Hawaiian Airlines, is adding GOL Linhas Aéreas as a global partner while also widening its American Airlines partnership — a dual move aimed at giving members more routes into South America. GOL is one of Brazil's largest airlines, operating roughly 675 daily flights to more than 80 airports, including over 60 cities within Brazil, according to Alaska.</p> <p>Starting <time datetime="2025-11-10">Nov. 10</time>, travelers can book select GOL flights directly through alaskaair.com and hawaiianairlines.com, earning Atmos points on those tickets immediately. The ability to redeem points for GOL flights won't arrive until early 2027, Alaska said. The bigger structural change lands in spring 2027: West Coast passengers will be able to fly Alaska or Hawaiian to New York's JFK airport starting <time datetime="2027-03-28">March 28, 2027</time>, then connect onward to Rio de Janeiro's Galeão airport on GOL. From Rio, GOL's network opens connections to more than 35 cities, including São Paulo and Buenos Aires. Alaska said these itineraries can be booked as a single ticket spanning Alaska, Hawaiian and GOL, with checked bags routed through to the final destination.</p> <h2>American Airlines tie-up adds Dallas and Miami gateways</h2> <p>Alongside the GOL partnership, Alaska is extending its codeshare relationship with American Airlines to bring additional South America connections into the Alaska and Hawaiian booking systems, beginning with Brazil and growing to more destinations in 2027. West Coast travelers will gain the option to fly Alaska or Hawaiian to New York, Dallas-Fort Worth or Miami and then connect to Rio de Janeiro or São Paulo's Guarulhos airport on American. Atmos points can be earned on all American Airlines segments, and members with Atmos status will keep their usual perks when flying American, including extra-legroom seating and complimentary upgrades when space is available.</p> <table> <tr><th>Partner</th><th>New gateway cities</th><th>South America connection</th><th>Key date</th></tr> <tr><td>GOL</td><td>New York (JFK)</td><td>Rio de Janeiro (GIG), then 35+ cities</td><td>March 28, 2027</td></tr> <tr><td>American Airlines</td><td>New York, Dallas (DFW), Miami</td><td>Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo (GRU)</td><td>Starting with Brazil, expanding in 2027</td></tr> </table> <h2>Members gain flexible earning choices in 2027</h2> <p>Alex Judson, Alaska's managing director of partnerships and international, said the GOL deal gives Atmos members "an exciting new gateway to South America" and that combined with the expanded American Airlines codeshare, it marks "another step toward bringing more of South America within reach" for the program's members. Beginning in 2027, Alaska said Atmos Rewards members will be able to choose how they earn points on partner flights — including GOL and American Airlines — selecting from options based on distance traveled, price paid or number of segments flown.</p> <p>Alaska describes the GOL and American additions as part of a roster of more than 30 partner airlines feeding the Atmos program. For now, the practical change is booking access: members can start reserving GOL flights through Alaska's and Hawaiian's websites this month, while the redemption option, the JFK-Rio routing and the broader American Airlines expansion phase in over the following two years.</p>