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
Virgin Blue - Velocity Rewards
12 May 2011
Total posts 66
It will be good if Virgin Australia join Star Alliance!
20 Jul 2011
Total posts 3
Why does airlines flying to australia...not include all of the airlines flying to australia...
03 Jan 2011
Total posts 673
Apologies -- that got eaten by some unescaped HTML code. Thanks for the catch!
09 May 2011
Total posts 23
Under Airlines Flying to Australia, don't forget Cathay Pacific!
03 Jan 2011
Total posts 673
Apologies -- that got eaten by some unescaped HTML code. Thanks for the catch!
Hi Guest, join in the discussion on The oneworld alliance: the basics for Australian frequent flyers