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The oneworld® alliance has been getting a lot of buzz lately about new airlines joining and others seeking to become part of the world’s third largest airline alliance. Three look like they guaranteed to join and one other is up in the air based on the veto rights of existing members. If all go through, the roster could grow from 13 to 17 member airlines over the next few years.
The oneworld® alliance officially began on February 1, 1999 with American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, and Qantas as its founding members. It was formed to create a seamless passenger experience and to reward frequent flyers with additional benefits (including some of the most generous lounge access of any of the three alliances).
oneworld® currently includes the following airlines:
- Alaska Airlines
- American Airlines
- British Airways
- Cathay Pacific
- Finnair
- Iberia
- Japan Airlines
- Malaysia Airlines
- Qantas
- Qatar Airways
- Royal Air Maroc
- Royal Jordanian
- SriLankan Airlines
For context, Star Alliance has 25 member airlines and SkyTeam currently has 19 active carriers. With the possible additions, oneworld® would be almost identical in size to SkyTeam.
We're excited to announce that we'll soon be joining the #oneworldalliance! Across the entire alliance network, our guests will benefit from a seamless travel experience, an extensive network of destinations, additional special perks, more miles, and many other benefits. pic.twitter.com/bwNbGZM0qn
— Oman Air (@omanair) June 20, 2022
Oman Air
Oman Air will become a oneworld® alliance member in late 2024. The carrier first announced that it was joining the oneworld® alliance back in June 2022. Oman Air, based in Muscat, was sponsored by Qatar Airways. Oman Air will become the 14th alliance member when it joins later this year. It operates a fleet of around 50 Boeing 737, Boeing 787, and Airbus A330 aircraft. Its premium cabins and lounges are widely lauded and it will make a nice addition to oneworld®. Qatar Airways and Oman Air already work pretty closely and this addition into the alliance will only strengthen that.
We’re thrilled to announce that Fiji Airways will join the @AmericanAir AAdvantage®️ program, offering our customers more exclusive rewards while experiencing our warm Fijian hospitality.
Visit https://t.co/nkm8zYEmCD for more info. #fijiairways #americanairlines #aadvantage pic.twitter.com/U36hnT5Uyk
— Fiji Airways✈️ (@FijiAirways) June 27, 2024
Fiji Airways
Fiji Airways and oneworld® announced in June that Fiji’s national carrier will be the alliance’s 15th full-member airline (Fiji Airways is currently a oneworld® connect partner airline with more restricted participation in the alliance). Fiji Airways has been a oneworld® connect airlines for the past five years. Over this period, the airline has developed cooperative links with all oneworld® member airlines, which will make a full integration more seamless. Fiji Airways’ transition will be completed in 2025. Fiji Airways is based in Nadi International Airport (NAN). It serves 26 destinations in 15 countries and territories including oneworld® hubs in Sydney, Hong Kong, Los Angeles, and Tokyo. The airline has also recently announced that it’s going to be adopting American’s AAdvantage program as its loyalty program.
STARLUX Airlines
STARLUX Airlines is a Taiwanese carrier that launched operations in 2020. The airline flies throughout Asia and Southeast Asia as well as three US destinations: Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), San Francisco International Airport (SFO), and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). During a recent investor conference, STARLUX’ CEO restated that the airline would like to join the oneworld® Alliance next year. STARLUX already partners with Alaska Airlines and it makes sense for it to join oneworld®. As noted above, there are four founding airlines that are still part of this alliance. Any one of these can veto new members and the odds are high that Cathay Pacific might object since Taiwan and Hong Kong are so close geographically.
Hawaiian Airlines
Now that the airline has been acquired by Alaska Airlines, it has its sights set on becoming part of oneworld®. This is looking like it will happen in 2026 when the two airlines are on one operating certificate. The good news is that many benefits will be available before then given its now tight connection with Alaska.
Anthony’s Take: Three of these airlines (Oman Air, Fiji Airways, and Hawaiian Airlines) will join in the future. STARLUX is uncertain, but we should know soon if it formally tries to join and is vetoed by Cathay Pacific.
(Image Credits: oneworld®, Hawaiian Airlines, STARLUX.)
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Advertiser & Editorial Disclosure: The Bulkhead Seat earns an affiliate commission for anyone approved through the links above This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. We work to provide the best publicly available offers to our readers. We frequently update them, but this site does not include all available offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities.
