Have you heard of airline alliances?
Airlines sell seats on each other’s flights to offer more destination options. Airlines alliances began this practice earlier in the 1900s. The airline alliances came into being in the late 1990s.
Now, airlines partner together on many parts of the airline travel experience. Whether selling tickets or being a frequent flyer, members earn and redeem miles on each other’s flights. You can also get round-the-world tickets at a reduced price compared to doing the itinerary on your own across different alliances and airlines. These agreements align with the airlines’ policies and systems for a great travel experience.
Alliances exist to cover gaps in network coverage. Usually, airlines with similar beliefs and business models join up. Our list below shows that low-cost carriers do not partner directly with a full-service airline. They work differently.
Why did airline alliances start?
Airlines did not play well together in the early days of aviation. Airlines competed with each other viciously. They made their routes, ran their flights, and did not share resources.
This development caused a problem: every airline could not serve every destination. As competition heated up in the 1980s and 1990s, especially after the commercial aviation deregulation, airlines cooperated more and more.
The first airline alliance started in 1997. Five airlines agreed to combine their resources into a singular partnership: Star Alliance. This alliance has broadened into 26 member airlines.
Oneworld Alliance launched afterward in 1999. Then SkyTeam was formed in 2000.
Benefits for Flyers
While alliances seem complex, they offer several benefits for savvy travelers. The prime use for travelers is reduced costs for flights.
Alliances also open up more destinations with member airlines. Easier booking and more ways to use their treasured miles and points are made possible.
What is Star Alliance?
Star alliance boasts many of the world’s airlines and regional carriers. As a result, this alliance is the largest in total passenger revenue at $179 billion out of $450 billion annually.
If you are an elite member of any airline in the alliance, you receive the same status as Star Alliance.
Star Alliance Silver grants:
- Priority airport standby and priority waitlists
Star Alliance Gold offers the following in addition:
- A higher baggage allowance
- Business class lounge access
- Fast track security lanes
- Priority check-in and boarding
You can get to nearly any destination you want to travel to. The members are:
- Aegean Airlines (Greece)
- Air China (China)
- Air India (India)
- Air New Zealand (New Zealand)
- ANA (Japan)
- Asiana Airlines (South Korea)
- Austrian Airlines (Austria)
- Avianca (Colombia)
- Brussels Airlines (Belgium)
- Copa Airlines (Panama)
- Croatia Airlines (Croatia)
- Egyptair (Egypt)
- Ethiopian Airlines (Ethiopia)
- Eva Air (Taiwan)
- LOT Polish Airlines (Poland)
- Shenzhen Airlines (China)
- Singapore Airlines (Singapore)
- South African Airways (South Africa)
- SWISS (Switzerland)
- TAP Air Portugal (Portugal)
- Turkish Airlines (Turkey)
What is the Oneworld alliance?
Second up is the One World alliance. Of note, Oman Air will join this alliance by 2024. Oman Air is the national carrier of the Sultanate of Oman.
Oneworld Ruby grants:
- Access to priority check-in desks
- Additional seating choices
- Priority on standby and waiting lists
Oneworld Sapphire adds on to Ruby:
- Access to business class check-in
- Access to business class lounges
- Increased baggage allowance
Oneworld Emerald tops off the benefits with:
- Access to first-class check-in
- Access to first-class lounges
- Priority security at some airports
Members include:
- Alaska Airlines.
- American Airlines.
- British Airways.
- Cathay Pacific.
- Finnair.
- Iberia.
- Japan Airlines.
- Malaysia Airlines.
- Qantas.
- Qatar Airways.
- Royal Air Maroc.
- Royal Jordanian.
- SriLankan Airlines.
- Fiji Airways (Oneworld connect).
- Oman Air (will join by 2024)
What is the SkyTeam alliance?
SkyTeam is the most recent alliance – launched in 2000. This alliance has the highest passenger volume compared to the other two significant collaborations.
SkyTeam Elite gives:
- A higher baggage allowance
- Preferred seating
- Priority reservation waitlists
- Priority check-in and boarding
SkyTeam Elite Plus adds:
- Business class lounge access
- Guaranteed full-fare economy tickets on sold-out flights
Members include:
- Aerolineas Argentinas
- AeroMexico
- AirEuropa
- AirFrance
- ITA Airways
- China Airlines
- China Eastern
- CSA Czech Airlines
- Delta
- Garuda Indonesia
- Kenya Airways
- KLM
- Korean Air
- MEA
- Saudia
- Tarom
- Vietnam Airlines
- XIAMENAir
Other Airline Alliances
Vanilla Alliance
The Vanilla Alliance started in September 2015 and is the 4th largest in the world behind Oneworld, Star Alliance, and SkyTeam.
All members operate in the Indian Ocean.
Members include:
- Air Austral
- Air Madagascar
- Air Mauritius
- Air Seychelles
- Int’Air lles
U-FLY Alliance
This alliance comprises low-cost airlines from Hong Kong, Mainland China, and South Korea. The formation occurred in early 2016.
Members of the alliance are:
- Eastar Jet
- Lucky Air
- Urumqi Air
- West Air
Value Alliance
Value Alliance is the second alliance to consist of low-cost carriers. This alliance is bare with no additional benefits other than interlined flights.
These flights are agreements between airlines. The collaboration helps airlines work together to help passengers use multiple airlines on a trip to have a smooth journey.
Worry about having to check in again or manage the transition of your baggage between airlines at a stopover no more.
Members are:
- Cebu Pacific
- Cebgo
- Jeju Air
- Nok Air
- Scoot
A new development in the airline industry is Oneworld Connect. Right now, this alliance has only one member: Fiji Airways. Though Fiji Airways lacks a large route map, being a part of Oneworld Connect (a subset of the Oneworld Alliance) enables the airline to tap into the bigger Oneworld members’ route maps.
Fiji Airways derives from Fiji, a country in the Pacific Ocean. The airlines’ destinations are smaller Pacific Island nations. Large carriers tend not to service these locations.
Current participating airlines as sponsors in the alliance are:
- British Airways
- Cathay Pacific
- Qantas
Conclusion
Alliances increased cooperation over the years. This development is beneficial for consumers. Taking advantage of airline alliances can make your travel planning (and cost) less of a burden. You can go places you may not be able to go to with some strategy. Take advantage!
