The Oneworld alliance is getting a new full-fledged member in the South Pacific. Within the next year, Fiji Airways will become a full member of the global alliance, Oneworld leaders announced Monday.
Meanwhile, Oman Air — based in Muscat, Oman — is expected to join the alliance within the next few months, some two years after the carrier was announced as the newest future alliance member.
Together, these two airline arrivals will spell 15% growth for Oneworld, which is one of the three major global airline alliances. It features U.S. carriers American Airlines and Alaska Airlines and overseas partners like British Airways, Iberia, Qatar Airways, Cathay Pacific and Japan Airlines, among others.
Want more airline-specific news? Sign up for TPG’s free biweekly Aviation newsletter.
Fiji to fully join Oneworld
The flag carrier of Fiji and the South Pacific, Fiji Airways has been a Oneworld Connect partner for more than five years.
Under the arrangement, the carrier has had some limited reciprocal benefits with every Oneworld member airline and more robust partnerships with its sponsors, including American and Oneworld partners British Airways, Cathay Pacific and Qantas.
But now, the Nadi, Fiji-based carrier will step up its ties with all the carriers in the Oneworld alliance. That means more ways to earn miles, tap into elite status perks and enjoy lounge access for members of any Oneworld partner’s loyalty program — from American Airlines AAdvantage to Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan to British Airways Executive Club and beyond.
“As a full Oneworld member airline, Fiji Airways will provide Oneworld Emerald, Sapphire, and Ruby customers with a full suite of Oneworld benefits,” the alliance said in a statement Monday. This includes earning and redeeming miles, earning status points, benefitting from priority check-in and boarding, and receiving lounge access, it noted.
The same goes for Fiji Airways’ Tabua Club members flying with Oneworld partners.
New options for Oneworld loyalists
This change means more options for Oneworld loyalists hoping to visit Fiji for vacation or take advantage of the connectivity in the South Pacific.
The arrangement will bring new opportunities to earn miles in the Oneworld program of your choice when flying with Fiji or to book flights on Fiji using miles from your favorite Oneworld frequent flyer program.
Related: What it’s like to stay at Nanuku Resort in Fiji, bookable through World of Hyatt
Fiji operates a fleet of 21 aircraft, including a wide-body fleet of Airbus A330 and A350 jets — all configured in two-class business and economy. The airline flies to 26 destinations worldwide, including Los Angeles via Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and San Francisco via San Francisco International Airport (SFO) on the U.S. mainland.
You can also fly with the carrier to additional prominent Oneworld hub cities, such as Sydney, Hong Kong and Tokyo.
Does Fiji Airways have a lounge?
It’s worth noting that Fiji’s flagship Premier Lounge at its home base, Nadi International Airport (NAN), is highly regarded. In addition to being an appealing option for Oneworld partners, going forward, it’s also available to Priority Pass members and ranked among TPG’s best Priority Pass lounges around the world as of April.
When will Fiji Airways join Oneworld?
Fiji Airways will start its transition to Oneworld right away, the alliance said Monday. It’s expected to be a full member within one year.
When will Oman Air join Oneworld?
More than two years after Oman Air was announced as a new alliance member, we’re getting a firmer timeline for its arrival in the global alliance. The carrier is expected to fully join at some point in 2024, the alliance said Monday.
Given that the year is nearly halfway complete, that would mean an arrival within the next several months.
Related reading:
- The best time to book flights for the cheapest airfare
- Best airline credit cards
- What exactly are airline miles, anyway?
- 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
- Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights
- The best credit cards to reach elite status
