The oneworld alliance: the basics for Australian frequent flyers

Every frequent flyer is, at some stage, an infrequent flyer setting off on their first business trip. And first-time business travellers are as much a part of the Australian Business Traveller audience as the seasoned experts. Over the next few days we'll introduce you to the 'need to know' essentials of the three global airline alliances -- it's as good a place as any to begin your business travel journey!

The oneworld alliance is the smallest of the three global airline alliances, but it's also the most relevant to Australians. Qantas is a founding member, as are British Airways and Cathay Pacific -- all three of which are strong in the Australian market.

American Airlines, which is Qantas' partner in the US and provides connecting US domestic flights for Qantas passengers out of Los Angeles and Dallas/Fort Worth, is also part of the oneworld clan.

Oneworld currently has thirteen members and three more due to join, including Qantas-sponsored Malaysia Airlines.

Here are the basics to the oneworld alliance, its members, frequent flyer benefits, and hubs for Australian passengers.

Key members for Australian travellers

American Airlines
British Airways
Cathay Pacific
Japan Airlines
LAN
Qantas

Full membership list

American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Iberia, Japan Airlines, LAN, Malev, Mexicana, Qantas, Royal Jordanian, S7 Airlines

Future members

Kingfisher Airlines (India)
Air Berlin
Malaysia Airlines

Frequent Flyer levels and benefits

Specific benefits vary by airline, but here's what you can generally expect:

Ruby: business class check-in, preferential seating, priority reservations, waitlisting & standby. Some airlines, notably American Airlines, also offer priority boarding with their own Ruby-level frequent flyers. Oneworld Ruby is equivalent to Qantas Frequent Flyer Silver.

Sapphire: as for Ruby, plus business class lounge access and priority boarding with business class. Equivalent to Qantas Frequent Flyer Gold.

Emerald: as for Sapphire, plus first class check-in, lounge access, and boarding. Equivalent to Qantas Frequent Flyer Platinum.

Airlines flying to Australia

British Airways (Sydney-London via Singapore and Bangkok)
Cathay Pacific (Hong Kong to Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney)
Japan Airlines (Sydney-Tokyo)
LAN (Sydney-Santiago via Auckland)
Qantas

Key hubs with flights from Australia

Bangkok BKK (British Airways)
Dallas/Fort Worth (Qantas, American Airlines)
Hong Kong HKG (Cathay Pacific)
London Heathrow LHR (British Airways)
Los Angeles LAX (Qantas)
Singapore SIN (Qantas, British Airways)
Tokyo Narita NRT (Japan Airlines)

Other articles in this series:

Oneworld frequent flyer tiers & benefits

SkyTeam: the basis for Australian frequent flyers

Star Alliance: the basics for Australian frequent flyers

John Walton

Aviation journalist and travel columnist John took his first long-haul flight when he was eight weeks old and hasn't looked back since. Well, except when facing rearwards in business class.