Oneworld today launches a new platform for linking up to the world’s premier airline alliance, enabling customers to enjoy more services and benefits across an even more extensive global network.
The first airline to join in the new capacity as a Oneworld connect partner will be Fiji Airways. A date will be announced in due course for when Fiji Airways will start offering Oneworld connect services and benefits (see below). Meantime, it is business as usual.
Oneworld Connect is the first new membership platform unveiled by Oneworld since the alliance was originally announced 20 years ago. Oneworld is in discussion with other carriers interested in participating in the programme, from various parts of the world including the Americas, Asia-Pacific and Europe.
Each Oneworld connect partner will need to have a minimum of three Oneworld members as its sponsors to be initiated into the programme. The initial oneworld sponsors of Fiji Airways will be all four of oneworld’s original founding members: American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific and Qantas. The Australian carrier will additionally mentor Fiji Airways through its Oneworld connect implementation process.
American Airlines, Cathay Pacific and Qantas already codeshare and have frequent flyer links with Fiji Airways. British Airways and Fiji Airways are currently discussing areas for potential bilateral cooperation.
Oneworld connect partners will provide select alliance benefits to frequent flyers from any Oneworld member airline traveling on their flights, with a more extensive range of benefits offered with their Oneworld sponsors.
Customers with Emerald, Sapphire or Ruby status in any one world member airline’s frequent flyer programme will be able to use priority check-in desks, where available. Also, customers with Emerald or Sapphire status will be offered priority boarding.
The additional benefits offered by oneworldconnect partners to customers from their Oneworld sponsors and vice versa include:
- Through check-in of passengers and their baggage for journeys including connections between a connect carrier and any of its oneworld sponsors.
- The ability to earn and redeem frequent flyer rewards, and earn frequent flyer status points, for eligible flights. (For customers from Oneworld connect airlines, these benefits depend on the Oneworld connect partner offering a frequent flyer programme.)
- Access to select lounges at key airports for First or Business Class passengers or those with eligible top-tier frequent flyer status.
All Oneworld connect partners will make their networks available via Global Explorer, the round-the-world fare offered by all Oneworld members and select other airlines. Fiji Airways already does so. All Oneworld connect partners will be required to maintain IATA IOSA safety certification.