The OneWorld airline alliance is celebrating its 25th anniversary, having carried nearly 9 billion customers since 1999.
The alliance was founded by American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific and Qantas in order to increase connectivity and flexibility for passengers and to reward frequent flyer customers.
It has since grown to include 13 of the world’s top airlines with Alaska Airlines, Finnair, Iberia, Japan Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Qatar Airways, Royal Air Maroc, Royal Jordanian, SriLankan Airlines all joining. Fiji Airways is a OneWorld connect partner, while Oman Air is set to join as 14th full member this year. The alliance also has 26 affiliate member airlines.
Collectively, OneWorld member airlines serve more than 900 global destinations and have access to 600 premium airport lounges for their passengers.
Robert Isom, American Airlines CEO and OneWorld 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 – equivalent to a OneWorld member airline flight taking off or landing every six seconds, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
“Highlighted by the recent opening of our first fully-branded OneWorld lounge in Seoul in South Korea, we continue to expand the OneWorld network around the world for the benefit of our customers. We look forward to the next 25 years of setting new standards in customer excellence and innovation.”
Ronald Lam, chief executive of Cathay Pacific, founding member of the alliance, said: “Celebrating 25 years of OneWorld is a testament to the power of collaboration and shared vision. Our partnership has enabled us to connect cultures, bridge continents and create lasting memories for travellers around the world.”
Vanessa Hudson, chief executive of the Qantas Group, a founding member of the alliance, said: “For 25 years our alliance has brought together the best carriers, lounges, frequent flyer programs and networks to benefit our shared customers.
“As the leading alliance in the sky, we’ll continue working with our partner airlines to ensure OneWorld delivers even more value as we help to connect travellers across more than 900 destinations around the globe.”
Luis Gallego, CEO of International Airlines Group (IAG), said: “OneWorld’s 25thanniversary marks a significant milestone in our journey towards providing exceptional travel experiences. Together, OneWorld members have contributed towards shaping the landscape of global aviation, and we remain committed to driving excellence for our customers.”
OneWorld reaffirmed its commitment to sustainability in January 2024 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.
