The Oneworld Alliance: Everything You Need to Know (Partners Listed)

Key Takeaways

• Oneworld includes 13 member airlines, offering extensive global coverage and seamless flight connections for travelers across various regions.
• Depending on your status level, benefits can include priority boarding, extra baggage allowance, and access to over 650 airport lounges worldwide.
• Members can earn and redeem miles across all Oneworld airlines, providing more flexible travel options.

Oneworld Alliance

“An alliance of the world’s leading airlines, working as one.”

Founded: February 1, 1999
Headquarters: New York City
Website: oneworld.com

The Numbers/Statistics

• Annual Customers: ~535 million
• Daily Flights: ~14,000
• Destinations: 1,100+
• Countries: 180+
• Combined Fleet: 3,553 aircraft
• Lounges: 650+
• Employees: ~400,000+
• Annual Revenue: ~$108 billion

Oneworld Partners*

* Oneworld alliance includes ~30 “affiliate” members, which are generally regional airlines that are owned by/have strong commercial links with Oneworld’s full members.

How It Works

Consistent with the other major airline alliances, the Oneworld alliance itself does not host an individual frequent flyer program.

To achieve Oneworld status, members must first accrue status through their respective partner airline of choice. Once this is achieved, an equivalent Oneworld tier status is issued (see “status equivalents” below).

Miles earned through multiple different airline programs cannot be combined to reach the designation for Oneworld status.

That being said, passengers traveling on eligible flights operated by Oneworld member airlines will accrue miles/points that can be redeemed across the entire Oneworld network.

Status Levels

• Ruby: entry-level status
• Sapphire: mid-level status
• Emerald: top status

Benefits*

* Some limitations and exceptions may apply.

With Oneworld Connect partners like Fiji Airways, you will enjoy the following perks depending on your status:

• Ruby: Access to business class priority check-in
• Sapphire: All Ruby benefits plus priority boarding, seamless check-in of baggage and customers to final destination, ability to earn and redeem frequent flyer rewards/status points for eligible flights
• Emerald: All Sapphire benefits plus access to select lounges at key airports

Tier Breakdown

Ruby: When your respective tier status is equivalent to Oneworld Ruby, you may take advantage of the following benefits, no matter which Oneworld airline you are flying or cabin class you’re assigned.

Access to Business Class Priority Check-In

• This can significantly expedite time spent in line or at the airport ticket counter.

Access to Preferred/Pre-Reserved Seating (Where Offered)

• Oneworld Ruby typically allows access to seating from 7 days before departure (non-status tickets allowed at 24 hours pre-departure).

Priority on Waitlists and When on Standby (Where Offered)

• This allows those with status to move ahead of other non-status flyers on reservation lists and standby lists, making it more likely they’ll be granted a seat on the flight in question.

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Sapphire: When your respective tier status is equivalent to Oneworld Sapphire, you may take advantage of the following benefits, no matter which Oneworld airline you are flying or cabin class you’re assigned.

All of the above Ruby benefits plus the following differences/additions:

Access to Preferred/Pre-Reserved Seating (Where Offered)

• Oneworld Sapphire typically allows access to seating from the time of booking (non-status tickets allowed at 24 hours pre-departure).

Access to Over 650 Airport Lounges When Traveling Internationally.*

• This includes premium business class and frequent flyer lounges, regardless of service class flown at the time of travel.
• This also includes 1 guest (must be traveling on a flight operated by a Oneworld carrier).

* Exceptions apply; more lounge details here.

Access to Priority Boarding

• Priority boarding is usually called somewhere after pre-board travelers (passengers needing assistance, passengers with young children, etc.) and premium cabin passengers, but before general boarding.

Extra Baggage Allowance*

• For international/domestic routes using the “weight” system, members are allowed an extra 33 pounds (15 kg.) in addition to the ticketed economy baggage allowance.
• For international/domestic routes using the “piece” system, members are allowed 1 additional bag weighing up to 50.7 pounds (23 kg.), up to a maximum of 2 pieces.
• For wholly domestic routes using the “piece” system on tickets with no ticketed baggage entitlement, members are allowed 1 piece of checked baggage, weighing up to 50.7 pounds (23 kg.).

* Benefit not available for BA “Hand Baggage Only” fares for short-haul routes. For LAN operated domestic routes, 2 bags with a combined weight not exceeding 50.7 pounds (23 kg.) are allowed.

Priority Baggage Handling

• This ensures Sapphire member baggage is given priority from aircraft to carousel when traveling on any cabin on any eligible Oneworld flight.*

* Not available on flights operated by BA

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Emerald: When your respective tier status is equivalent to Oneworld Emerald, you may take advantage of the following benefits, no matter which Oneworld airline you are flying or cabin class you’re assigned.

Access to all of the above Ruby and Sapphire benefits are included plus the following differences/additions:

Access to Preferred/Pre-Reserved Seating (Where Offered)

• Oneworld Emerald allows access to seating from the time of booking (non-status tickets allowed at 24 hours pre-departure).
• This includes access for everyone on your booking as well as friends/family on different bookings traveling in the same cabin class on the same flight.

Access to Over 650 Airport Lounges When Traveling Internationally.*

• This includes premium first class, business, and frequent flyer lounges, regardless of service class flown at the time of travel.
• This also includes 1 guest (must be traveling on a flight operated by a Oneworld carrier).

* Exceptions apply; more lounge details here.

Extra Baggage Allowance*

• For international/domestic routes using the “weight” system, members are allowed an extra 44 pounds (20 kg.) in addition to the ticketed baggage allowance.
• For international/domestic routes using the “piece” system, members are allowed 1 additional bag.

* Benefit not available for BA “Hand Baggage Only/Basic” fares

Fast Track Through Security (At Select Airports for Select Carriers)

• This can significantly decrease security wait times.
• Restrictions and local agreements cause significant variations in the ability to utilize this benefit; find airport-specific details here.

Status Equivalents

Listed below are the status equivalencies for each of the member airlines. As mentioned above, in order to achieve Oneworld tier status, individuals must first achieve status through their respective member airline.

Alaska Airlines

• Alaska MVP Gold 75K = Oneworld Emerald
• Alaska MVP Gold = Oneworld Sapphire
• Alaska MVP = Oneworld Ruby

American Airlines

• AAdvantage СonciergeKey = Oneworld Emerald
• AAdvantage Executive Platinum = Oneworld Emerald
• AAdvantage Platinum Pro = Oneworld Sapphire (will upgrade to Emerald in early 2021)
• AAdvantage Platinum = Oneworld Sapphire
• AAdvantage Gold = Oneworld Ruby
• AAdvantage = no equivalent for basic membership

British Airways

• Executive Club Gold = Oneworld Emerald
• Executive Club Silver = Oneworld Sapphire
• Executive Club Bronze = Oneworld Ruby
• Executive Club Blue = no equivalent for basic membership

Cathay Pacific

• Cathay Diamond = Oneworld Emerald
• Cathay Gold = Oneworld Sapphire
• Cathay Silver = Oneworld Ruby
• Cathay Green = no equivalent for basic membership

Finnair

• Finnair Plus Platinum = Oneworld Emerald
• Finnair Plus Gold = Oneworld Sapphire
• Finnair Plus Silver = Oneworld Ruby
• Finnair Plus = no equivalent for basic membership

Iberia

• Iberia Plus Infinita Prime = Oneworld Emerald
• Iberia Plus Infinita = Oneworld Emerald
• Iberia Plus Singular = Oneworld Emerald
• Iberia Plus Platinum = Oneworld Emerald
• Iberia Plus Gold = Oneworld Sapphire
• Iberia Plus Silver = Oneworld Ruby
• Iberia Plus Clásica = no equivalent for basic membership
• Iberia Plus Kids = no equivalent for kids membership

Japan Airlines

• JGC Diamond/JMB Diamond = Oneworld Emerald
• JGC Premier = Oneworld Emerald
• JGC Sapphire/JMB Sapphire = Oneworld Sapphire
• JGC Crystal/JGC Member = Oneworld Sapphire
• JMB Crystal = Oneworld Ruby
• JMB Member = no equivalent for basic membership

Malaysia Airlines

• Enrich Platinum = Oneworld Emerald
• Enrich Gold = Oneworld Sapphire
• Enrich Silver = Oneworld Ruby
• Enrich Blue = no equivalent for basic membership

Qantas

• Qantas Frequent Flyer Platinum One = Oneworld Emerald
• Qantas Frequent Flyer Platinum = Oneworld Emerald
• Qantas Frequent Flyer Gold = Oneworld Sapphire
• Qantas Frequent Flyer Silver = Oneworld Ruby
• Qantas Frequent Flyer Bronze = no equivalent for basic membership

Qatar Airways

• Privilege Club Platinum = Oneworld Emerald
• Privilege Club Gold = Oneworld Sapphire
• Privilege Club Silver = Oneworld Ruby
• Privilege Club Burgundy = no equivalent for basic membership

Royal Air Maroc

• Safar Flyer Ambassador = Oneworld Emerald
• Safar Flyer Platinum = Oneworld Emerald
• Safar Flyer Gold = Oneworld Sapphire
• Safar Flyer Silver = Oneworld Ruby
• Safar Flyer Blue = no equivalent for basic membership

Royal Jordanian

• Platinum HAWK = Oneworld Emerald
• Gold SPARROW = Oneworld Sapphire
• Silver JAY = Oneworld Ruby
• Bronze SUNBIRD = no equivalent for basic membership

S7 Airlines (Temporarily Suspended)

• Priority Platinum = Oneworld Emerald
• Priority Gold = Oneworld Sapphire
• Priority Silver = Oneworld Ruby
• Priority = no equivalent for basic membership

SriLankan Airlines

• FlySmiLes Platinum = Oneworld Emerald
• FlySmiLes Gold = Oneworld Sapphire
• FlySmiLes Classic = Oneworld Ruby
• FlySmiLes Blue = no equivalent for basic membership

Here’s the ultimate airline elite status and alliance elite status equivalency chart:

Global Support Teams/Counters

Oneworld offers a Global Support Team service in select airports around the world. These teams consist of connection experts that are ready to assist in person with transfers between member airline flights.

This is achieved through the constant monitoring of connecting flights. If a Global Support agent deems your flight connection at risk, they will meet and assist you whenever possible. This may include the use of fast-track immigration and security lanes to assist in catching the next flight.

Additionally, this service is extended to member baggage to increase the likelihood of the baggage accompanying the member to the final destination.

Similarly, the Global Support Team assists in providing services if a member has missed a connecting flight. These services can include updated travel information, new boarding passes, and assistance with overnight accommodations (where applicable).

Oneworld Global Support Counters can be found at the following airports:

• London-Heathrow (LHR)
• Chicago-O’Hare (ORD)
• Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW)
• Hong Kong (HKG)
• Los Angeles International (LAX)
• Madrid-Barajas (MAD)
• Miami (MIA)
• New York (JFK)
• Tokyo-Narita (NRT)

Global Travel

Due to the number of cooperating airlines, providing travelers with opportunities for global travel is simplified within alliance networks.

Oneworld provides the following global travel options:

• Oneworld Explorer
  • 3 Continents
  • 4 Continents
  • 6 Continents
• Global Explorer
  • 26,000 Miles
  • 29,000 Miles
  • 34,000 Miles
  • 39,000 Miles
• Oneworld Circle Pacific
  • 22,000 Miles
  • 26,000 Miles
  • 29,000 Miles

For more information on these fares, please visit the global travel option page on Oneworld’s website.