Airline alliances have grown over the years to form an integral part of the passenger aviation industry. Altogether, there are currently three big players in the market. These groups are oneworld, Star Alliance, and SkyTeam. What makes these powerhouses so great? Let’s take a look.
What is an alliance?
An alliance is an agreement between several airlines to pool resources. This move, in turn, gives them a greater ability to compete against other airlines. The first benefit this brings is codeshare flights. While codeshare agreements do exist outside of alliances, the highest density will be found within alliance members.
The next significant benefit is arguably how the airlines share their frequent flyer rewards. With my British Airways Executive Club Avios, I am able to book reward flights all over the world, as every member of the alliance will accept my points (at varying prices). Likewise, the benefits of frequent flyer status are shared. So if you’re traveling with British Airways Silver status in the US, you can access American Airlines’ lounge when flying with them.
The move is great for airlines as well. The alliance means that carriers don’t have to operate their own lounges around the globe and can use the best facilities depending on the country. So, British Airways members will enjoy Admirals Club access in the US, keeping them loyal to the alliance as well.
Star Alliance
Recently celebrating its 25th anniversary, Star Alliance was the first of the big three alliances to be established. Based in Frankfurt, Germany, the alliance was founded in 1997 by the following carriers:
- Lufthansa
- Air Canada
- Scandinavian Airlinesƒ
- THAI Airways©sk
- United Airlines
The alliance promotes itself with the slogan:
“The Way The Earth Connects.”
The group has grown over the last quarter of a century to include a total of 26 member airlines.
These carriers are:
- Aegean Airlines
- Air Canada
- Air China
- Air India
- Air New Zealand
- ANA
- Asiana Airlines
- Austrian Airlines
- Avianca
- Brussels Airlines
- Copa Airlines
- Croatia Airlines
- EgyptAir
- Ethiopian Airlines
- Eva Air
- Lot Polish Airlines
- Lufthansa
- Scandinavian Airlines
- Shenzhen Airlines
- Singapore Airlines
- South African Airways
- SWISS
- Tap Air Portugal
- THAI Airways
- Turkish Airlines
- United Airlines
Star Alliance says that its members include many of the world’s most significant airlines and smaller regional airlines. It highlights that these combinations offer easy connections to almost any destination across the globe.
The group says the following on its website:
“Each airline maintains its own individual style and cultural identity, bringing the richness of diversity and multiculturalism to the alliance. At the same time each airline shares a common dedication to the highest standards of safety and customer service.”
oneworld
The next airline alliance to join the aviation scene was oneworld. The organization was set up in 1999 and is now headquartered in Fort Worth, home of founder American Airlines after spending 24 years in New York.
The alliance was founded by:
- British Airways
- American Airlines
- Cathay Pacific
- Qantas
In the past 19 years, it has grown to a size of 13 member airlines.
oneworld’s slogan is:
“An alliance of the world’s leading airlines working as one.”
Moreover, oneworld describes itself as the following on its website:
“With the oneworld Alliance, enjoy the benefits of the collective power of our world-class airlines. All working together to ensure as smooth a trip as possible, wherever you go and on how many of them you fly to get there. Our oneworld network serves more than 900 destinations in 170 territories with hundreds of airport lounges.”
The institution highlights that passengers can enjoy the benefits of several world-class carriers’ collective efforts.
These airlines are as follows:
- Alaska Airlines
- American Airlines
- British Airways
- Cathay Pacific
- Finnair
- Iberia
- Japan Airlines
- Malaysia Airlines
- Qantas
- Qatar Airways
- Royal Air Maroc
- Royal Jordanian
- S7 Airlines (suspended)
- SriLankan Airlines
Additionally, Fiji Airways is a oneworld connect partner. Alaska Airlines was a recent addition, only joining March last year. Therefore, there is a well-rounded membership of top quality airlines with strong connections at the alliance.
