The oneworld alliance is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2024. Launched on Feb. 1, 1999 by founding members American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, and Qantas, the alliance has flown nearly nine billion customers on its member airlines and currently boasts a takeoff or landing somewhere in the world every six seconds, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Since inception, oneworld has grown to include 13 of the world’s top airlines – Alaska Airlines, American, BA, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Iberia, Japan Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Royal Air Maroc, Royal Jordanian, SriLankan Airlines, 26 affiliate airlines and a oneworld connect partner Fiji Airways. Oman Air is set to join the alliance in 2024, becoming its 14th full member.
More than 330,000 airline professionals work at member airlines and to celebrate the alliance’s landmark year, uniformed staff will wear unique pin badges which have been specially designed with a new 25th anniversary logo.
Today, oneworld member airlines collectively serve more than 900 global destinations across 170 territories, offering customers access to more than 600 premium airport lounges, additional baggage allowances, the ability to earn and redeem miles across its network, and fast-track security lanes at select airports.
oneworld is the only global alliance to provide eligible customers access to First Class lounges, irrespective of the member airline they fly. It also offers two types of round-the-world fares, providing travellers with flexible options based on continents visited or distance travelled.
Robert Isom, American Airlines CEO and oneworld alliance Chairman, said: “We are happy to celebrate the world’s leading airline alliance with more than 200 million loyal customers around the globe. Together, we now operate more than 12,000 departures every day…
oneworld reaffirmed its commitment to sustainability in January by becoming the first airline alliance to join IATA CO2 Connect, contributing operational data to the aviation authority’s emissions calculator, which establishes a carrier’s carbon footprint.
Branded lounge
Also in January, oneworld opened its first branded lounge experience, at Incheon Airport in Seoul, South Korea (banner photo).
Incheon International Airport is served by seven oneworld member airlines: American Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Malaysia Airlines, Qantas, Qatar Airways and SriLankan Airlines.
The new lounge is open daily between 7:30am and 11:45pm (apart from Monday and Saturday when it opens earlier at 4:30am), for eligible oneworld Emerald and Sapphire customers departing from Seoul on oneworld flights, as well as First and Business Class customers travelling with oneworld member airlines.
Gerhard Girkinger, oneworld VP, Customer Experience, Delivery and Membership, said: “Our new Incheon lounge resets the benchmark for contemporary travel and will serve as the blueprint for future oneworld lounges in select airports around the world.”