Monday, June 3, 2024
During the IATA AGM in Dubai, oneworld®, the esteemed global airline alliance, commemorated its 25th anniversary with high praise from oneworld’s Chairman, its member airline CEOs, and the alliance’s new CEO at a press briefing this morning.
Presently, oneworld stands as a robust global coalition comprising thirteen top-tier airlines: Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific Airways, Finnair, Iberia, Japan Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Royal Air Maroc, Royal Jordanian, and SriLankan Airlines. Established in 1999 by American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, and Qantas, oneworld is poised to triple its size by 2025, swelling from the original quartet to fifteen members within the next twelve months, with Oman Air and Fiji Airways set to join as full-fledged participants.
From its inception, oneworld has been a pioneering force in the aviation realm, continually elevating standards in customer service and connectivity. Collectively, oneworld airlines execute over 4.5 million flights annually, transporting in excess of 500 million passengers, including a remarkable 212 million loyalty program members. With a joint fleet surpassing 3,400 aircraft and operating 13,000 daily flights, oneworld member airlines have forged vital connections among customers, nations, and enterprises worldwide. Surpassing nine billion passengers flown since its inception, oneworld maintains its preeminent position as the world’s foremost airline alliance.
Robert Isom, oneworld Chairman and American Airlines CEO, reflected on the alliance’s journey: “I’m proud to mark the creation of the oneworld alliance.
Since its inception 25 years ago, the alliance has raised the bar in customer service and forged a common bond between the world’s leading airlines. We have never wavered in our commitment to enhance the customer experience every day, on every flight.”
As oneworld marks its 25th anniversary, the foremost priority for the new alliance CEO, Nat Pieper, revolves around elevating every facet of the guest travel journey. This encompasses an ambitious premium lounge strategy, a comprehensive alliance-wide oneworld upgrade program, and the implementation of more profound and personalized digital capabilities.
Pieper said: “Our priority is to consistently deliver an exceptional travel experience, a best-in-class journey every step of the way. oneworld’s success over the past 25 years is due to the quality relationships between our member airlines and their constant prioritisation of guest satisfaction.
“I am honoured to serve as CEO of the world’s leading airline alliance, and I look forward to forging ever closer relationships between our terrific partners.”
Earlier this year, oneworld made significant strides by inaugurating its inaugural branded premium lounges at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport in the Netherlands and at Incheon International Airport in Seoul, South Korea.
These pioneering lounges have already catered to over 45,000 guests, showcasing oneworld’s premium offering, which was launched in collaboration with Swissport, a global aviation ground services provider, and the team behind ASPIRE Airport Lounges. The alliance is poised to actively seek out future opportunities to expand its extensive network of nearly 700 lounges.
In another milestone achievement, oneworld introduced its highly anticipated oneworld upgrade program in March of this year. This program offers a valuable new avenue for the alliance’s frequent flyers to utilize their miles and points for upgrades across member airlines.
The initial phase, initiated by American Airlines and Qantas, allowed AAdvantage® customers to leverage their miles for upgrades on Qantas-operated flights. The reciprocal offering for Qantas Frequent Flyers to utilize their Qantas Points for upgrades on American Airlines-operated flights is already in progress and set to be implemented in the forthcoming months.
Several more oneworld member airlines are set to join the oneworld upgrade program later this year, making it a pivotal and eagerly anticipated development for millions of loyal oneworld customers.
Furthermore, oneworld is steadfast in its commitment to advancing its digital transformation to enhance the personalized guest experience, equipping customers with self-service tools to manage their journeys. The alliance is dedicated to facilitating the implementation of new technology connections between member airlines to facilitate improved journeys across the entire alliance network.
As oneworld embarks on its next 25 years, it remains steadfast in its dedication to enhancing every facet of the customer journey, solidifying its status as the premier airline alliance globally. The future of air travel is here, and with oneworld, it shines brighter than ever before.
Monday, June 3, 2024
Monday, June 3, 2024
Monday, June 3, 2024
