Global airline alliances like Oneworld, Star Alliance, and SkyTeam bring together airlines from around the world to simplify your travel. These alliances allow for better connections, shared lounges, and points earning and redemption across partner carriers. See below for insights and tips on making the most of airline alliances.
If you want to fly with the SkyTeam alliance, but aren’t flying to or from a member airline’s hub airport, it can be worth looking for SkyTeam fifth-freedom routes. These are tag flights that neither start nor end in the operating carrier’s home country. 11 of the 19 SkyTeam member airlines operate 34 fifth-freedom flights all around … Continued
If you want to fly with a Star Alliance airline, but aren’t flying to or from a member carrier’s hub airport, it can be worth looking for Star Alliance fifth-freedom routes. These are tag flights that neither start or end in the carrier’s own country, and they can be a great way to fly! 18 … Continued
If you want to fly with a Oneworld airline, but aren’t flying to or from a Oneworld hub airport, it can be worth looking for Oneworld fifth-freedom routes. Seven of the Oneworld member airlines operate 22 fifth-freedom flights all around the world. This creates more opportunities for passengers booking a Oneworld Explorer round-the-world ticket, redeeming points for … Continued
Many Australians have status with Qantas or Virgin Australia. But very few Australians are even members of a SkyTeam frequent flyer program – let alone have SkyTeam status. The good news is that earning SkyTeam status is not that difficult. And holding SkyTeam Elite Plus status can be very handy if you ever fly with … Continued
The most rewarding part of collecting frequent flyer points is redeeming them! But trying to find award availability can be a frustrating, time-consuming exercise. If your frequent flyer points are with an airline in one of the three major alliances – Oneworld, Star Alliance or SkyTeam – you can redeem points to fly on any … Continued
If you’re an Australian-based frequent flyer, you’re probably a member of Qantas Frequent Flyer and Virgin Australia Velocity. You might even be a member of a Star Alliance frequent flyer program, such as Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer or Air New Zealand Airpoints. But most Australians completely overlook SkyTeam airlines and their frequent flyer programs. SkyTeam is … Continued
You may be aware of the Oneworld Explorer round-the-world fares that allow you to circle the globe on Oneworld airlines. But did you know that several Oneworld airlines, including Finnair, sell mini round-the-world tickets for just a fraction of the price? The Finnair round-the-world fare Finnair sells a round-the-world product that allows you to travel … Continued
On 1 February 1999, five airlines created the Oneworld alliance. At the time, the new alliance promised to “make it as easy as possible for passengers to connect between one another’s flights, effectively creating a worldwide route network that will make global travel more convenient for consumers”. Twenty years on, four of Oneworld’s founding members … Continued
Royal Air Maroc has been revealed as the newest recruit of the Oneworld airline alliance. As the national carrier of Morocco, Royal Air Maroc’s network will open up many new possibilities for Qantas Frequent Flyer members travelling to Africa. More airline members is great news for the Oneworld alliance. But don’t get too excited just … Continued
Looking for a way to fly to China in style? There is currently tons of Air China First Class award availability between Sydney and Beijing, with up to 4 First Class seats available for redemption on many dates. Air China flies daily from Sydney to Beijing. It currently serves this route using an Airbus A330 … Continued
Would you like to receive elite status benefits, such as lounge access, with Oneworld airlines including Qantas, Cathay Pacific, American Airlines and British Airways? If you already have status with an airline outside the Oneworld alliance – or even if you don’t – there are currently several Oneworld status matches and other shortcuts available. By … Continued
Guangzhou-based China Southern will exit the SkyTeam alliance from next year. The airline announced last Thursday that it will not renew its SkyTeam membership from 1 January 2019. The move has fuelled speculation that China Southern could join Qantas in the Oneworld alliance. For most Australians, China Southern leaving SkyTeam is no great loss. Very … Continued