Airline alliances

Airline alliances are formed when different airlines agree to substantially cooperate with each other. Advantages for customers include more destinations and more convenient connections, while the airlines benefit by feeding passengers to each other instead of to competitors.

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Understand

For travelers, the most obvious effect of airline alliances is codesharing whereby one airline will sell a seat on a flight with its own flight number, but the flight is performed by a different airline. (Note that not all airlines are part of an airline alliance, and not even all airlines within the same alliance do codeshares with each other.)

Although many airlines in an alliance have subsidiaries, the subsidiaries are often not members of the alliance which the parents are part of. Instead, they may be an affiliate of that particular alliance, but this is not always the case.

How does this apply to me?

• Airline alliances tend to coordinate their flights to ease connections, flying intercontinental flights to each other's hubs, adjusting schedules and grouping one alliance's flights at a single terminal at large airports. They code-share and interline (transfer bags) with each other, so that you can travel to many more destinations on a single ticket sold by your local airline.

• You can collect frequent flyer miles when flying on an alliance partner airline. This means for example that a passenger with Qantas can claim mileage when flying with another OneWorld airline such as British Airways.

• Additionally, status levels that you have on one airline are generally recognized by other airlines in the same alliance. For example, a 'Morning Calm' status with Korean Air will automatically give you 'Elite' status when flying with another airline in the SkyTeam alliance. Thus, you can check in at the Business Class counter, get priority luggage tags, getting emergency exit row seats assigned to you and priority boarding of the aircraft.

• Travelers can take advantage of a round-the-world ticket, a ticket with the ability to stop at a few countries around the world for a relatively lower price.
• If your trip is interrupted by a flight delay or cancellation and has a connecting flight that you will now miss due to the interruption, airline staff may rebook you on another airline's flight from the same alliance to minimize the delay in reaching your final destination.

Oneworld

Oneworld is the smallest alliance counting by the number of airlines. The member airlines are spread evenly around the world, so it is a workable option when planning a long multi-point trip such as for a round the world flight. It was the first alliance to introduce interlining e-tickets.

Members

Airline	Country	Hubs	Frequent flyer program	Lounges	IATA
Alaska Airlines	United States	Anchorage, Los Angeles, Portland (OR), San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose (CA), Seattle-Tacoma.	Mileage Plan	Alaska Lounge	AS
American Airlines	United States	Charlotte, Chicago - O'Hare, Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles, Miami, New York - JFK, New York - LaGuardia, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Washington - Reagan	AAdvantage	Admirals Club, Flagship Lounge	AA
British Airways	United Kingdom	London - Gatwick, London - Heathrow, New York-JFK	Executive Club	Various	BA
Cathay Pacific	Hong Kong	Hong Kong, Taipei-Taoyuan	Asia Miles/Marco Polo Club	Various	CX
Finnair	Finland	Helsinki	Finnair Plus	Finnair Lounge	AY
Iberia	Spain	Madrid	Iberia Plus	Sala VIP	IB
Japan Airlines	Japan	Fukuoka, Nagoya, Naha, Osaka-Itami, Osaka - Kansai, Sapporo, Tokyo - Haneda, Tokyo - Narita,	JAL Mileage Bank	Sakura Lounge	JL
Malaysia Airlines	Malaysia	Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur, Kuching, Penang	Enrich	Golden Lounge	MH
Qantas	Australia	Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney.	Qantas Frequent Flyer	Qantas Club	QF
Qatar Airways	Qatar	Doha	Privilege Club	Premium Lounge	QR
Royal Air Maroc	Morocco	Casablanca, Marrakech, Tangier.	Safar Flyer	Casablanca Lounge	AT
Royal Jordanian	Jordan	Amman, Aqaba	Royal Plus	Crown Lounge	RJ
SriLankan Airlines	Sri Lanka	Colombo	FlySmiLes	Serendib Lounge	UL

Oneworld Connect Partners:

Airline	Country	Hubs	Frequent Flyer Program	Lounges	IATA
Fiji Airways	Fiji	Nadi, Suva	Tabua Club	Fiji Airways Premier Lounge	FJ

SkyTeam

SkyTeam is the latest large-scale alliance to be formed. It has a particularly strong network in Europe.

Members

Airline	Country	Hubs	Frequent flyer program	Lounges	IATA
Aerolíneas Argentinas	Argentina	Buenos Aires-Ezeiza, Buenos Aires-Jorge Newbury, Córdoba, Rosario	Aerolíneas Plus	Salón Cóndor	AR
Aeroméxico	Mexico	Guadalajara, Mexico City, Monterrey	Club Premier	Salón Premier	AM
Air Europa	Spain	Madrid - Barajas, Palma de Mallorca, Tenerife-North	Flying Blue		UX
Air France	France	Bordeaux, Lyon, Marseille, Nice, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Paris-Orly, Toulouse	Flying Blue	Various	AF
China Airlines	Taiwan	Hong Kong, Kaohsiung, Taipei-Taoyuan, Taipei - Songshan.	Dynasty Flyer	Dynasty Lounge	CI
China Eastern Airlines	China	Beijing Capital, Chengdu, Dalian, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Harbin, Hefei, Hong Kong, Kunming, Lanzhou, Nanchang, Nanjing, Ningbo, Qingdao, Shanghai-Hongqiao, Shanghai-Pudong, Taiyuan, Wuhan, Xi'an, Yantai.	Eastern Miles		MU
Czech Airlines	Czech Republic	Prague	OK Plus	Crystal Lounge	OK
Delta Air Lines	United States	Atlanta, Boston, Cincinnati, Detroit, Los Angeles, Minneapolis/St. Paul, New York-JFK, New York-LaGuardia, Raleigh/Durham, Salt Lake City, Seattle/Tacoma.	SkyMiles	Delta Sky Club	DL
Garuda Indonesia	Indonesia	Bali/Denpasar, Balikpapan, Jakarta - Soekarno Hatta, Makassar, Manado, Medan, Palembang, Surabaya, Yogyakarta	GarudaMiles	Garuda Indonesia Executive Lounge	GA
ITA Airways	Italy	Milan-Linate, Rome-Fiumicino	Volare		AZ
Kenya Airways	Kenya	Nairobi	Flying Blue	Simba Lounge	KQ
KLM	Netherlands	Amsterdam	Flying Blue	KLM Crown Lounge	KL
Korean Air	South Korea	Busan, Jeju, Seoul-Gimpo, Seoul-Incheon.	SKYPASS	Korean Air Lounge	KE
Middle East Airlines	Lebanon	Beirut	Cedar Miles	Cedar Lounge	ME
Saudia	Saudi Arabia	Dammam, Jeddah, Riyadh.	Al-Fursan		SV
TAROM	Romania	Bucharest, Iași	Flying Blue		RO
Vietnam Airlines	Vietnam	Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Phnom Penh, Siem Reap	Golden Lotus Plus	Golden Lotus Lounge	VN
Virgin Atlantic	United Kingdom	London - Heathrow, Manchester	Flying Club	Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse	VS
Xiamen Airlines	China	Changsha, Chongqing, Fuzhou, Hangzhou, Quanzhou, Shanghai-Hongqiao, Tianjin, Xiamen.	Egret Card		MF

Star Alliance

Star Alliance is the world's largest airline alliance.

Cooperation includes seamless code share flights and baggage interlining and, as a new trend, an increased degree of co-location in airport terminals.

Members of any Star Alliance frequent traveler program (FT) can credit miles or points flown in many booking classes on any Star Alliance operated aircraft.

"Gold" Star Alliance FT members get an extra 20 kg or "piece" of baggage; reciprocal access to most Star Alliance members' lounges; priority boarding and priority wait listing.

Members

Airline	Country	Hubs	Frequent flyer program	Lounges	IATA
Aegean Airlines	Greece	Athens, Chania, Heraklion, Kalamata, Larnaca, Rhodes, Thessaloniki,	Miles&Bonus	Aegean Club Lounge	A3
Air Canada	Canada	Calgary, Halifax, Montréal-Trudeau, Ottawa, Toronto-Pearson, Vancouver	Aeroplan	Maple Leaf Lounge	AC
Air China	China	Beijing-Capital, Chengdu, Chongqing, Hangzhou, Hohhot, Shanghai-Pudong, Shenzhen, Tianjin, Wuhan	Air China Companion/Phoenix Miles	VIP Lounge	CA
Air India	India	Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Thiruvananthapuram.	Flying Returns	Maharaja Lounge	AI
Air New Zealand	New Zealand	Auckland, Christchurch, Sydney, Wellington.	Airpoints	Koru Club	NZ
All Nippon Airways	Japan	Fukuoka, Nagoya-Chubu, Okinawa-Naha, Osaka-Itami, Osaka-Kansai, Sapporo, Tokyo-Haneda, Tokyo-Narita,	ANA Mileage Club	Club ANA Lounge	NH
Asiana Airlines	South Korea	Busan, Jeju, Seoul-Gimpo, Seoul-Incheon	Asiana Club	Asiana Lounge	OZ
Austrian Airlines	Austria	Graz, Innsbruck, Salzburg, Vienna	Miles & More	Senator Lounge	OS
Avianca	Colombia	Bogotá, Cali, Guatemala City, Lima, Managua, Medellín, Miami, Quito, San José (CR), San Pedro Sula, San Salvador	LifeMiles	Avianca VIP Lounges	AV
Brussels Airlines	Belgium	Brussels	Miles & More	HON, Senator Lounge	SN
Copa Airlines	Panama	Bogotá, Panama City, San José (CR).	ConnectMiles	Copa Club	CM
Croatia Airlines	Croatia	Dubrovnik, Split, Zadar, Zagreb	Miles & More	Senator Lounge	OU
Egypt Air	Egypt	Alexandria, Cairo, Hurghada, Luxor, Sharm el-Sheikh.	EgyptAir Plus	EGYPTAIR	MS
Ethiopian Airlines	Ethiopia	Addis Ababa, Lomé	ShebaMiles	Cloud Nine and Sheba Miles Lounges	ET
EVA Air	Taiwan	Bangkok-Suvarnabhumi, Hong Kong, Kaohsiung, Taipei-Taoyuan, Taipei-Songshan	Infinity MileageLands	EVA Air Lounge	BR
LOT Polish Airlines	Poland	Budapest, Tallinn, Warsaw	Miles & More	Executive Lounge	LO
Lufthansa	Germany	Frankfurt, Munich	Miles & More	HON/Senator Lounge	LH
SAS Scandinavian Airlines (until 31st August 2024)	Denmark,  Norway,  Sweden	Bergen, Copenhagen, Gothenburg, Oslo, Stavanger, Stockholm, Tromsø.	Eurobonus	Scandinavian Lounge/Business Lounge	SK
Shenzhen Airlines	China	Beijing Capital, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Nanjing, Nanning, Quanzhou, Shenyang, Shenzhen, Wuxi, Xi'an, Yangzhou, Zhengzhou	PhoenixMiles		ZH
Singapore Airlines	Singapore	Singapore	KrisFlyer	SilverKris Lounge	SQ
South African Airways	South Africa	Johannesburg-O.R. Tambo, Cape Town	Voyager	Cycad/Baobab Lounge	SA
Swiss International	Switzerland	Geneva, Zurich	Miles & More	Swiss Lounge	LX
TAP Portugal	Portugal	Madeira, Lisbon, Porto	Victoria	Top Executive Lounge	TP
Thai Airways	Thailand	Bangkok-Suvarnabhumi, Phuket	Royal Orchid Plus	Royal Lounges	TG
Turkish Airlines	Turkey	Ankara, Istanbul-New, Izmir	Miles & Smiles	THY CIP Lounge	TK
United Airlines	United States	Chicago-O'Hare, Denver, Guam, Houston-Bush, Los Angeles, Newark, San Francisco, and Washington-Dulles.	Mileage Plus	United Club, United Polaris Lounge	UA

A few airlines are "connecting partners", offering limited perks on flights connecting to ones on other Star Alliance airlines, but without being full members of Star Alliance:

Airline	Country	Hubs	Frequent Flyer Program	Lounges	IATA
Juneyao Airlines	China	Shanghai-Hongqiao, and Shanghai-Pudong	Juneyao Air Club	Juneyao Airlines Lounges	HO
Thai Smile	Thailand	Bangkok-Suvarnabhumi and Chiang Mai	Royal Orchid Plus		WE

Value Alliance

Value Alliance is an alliance of low-cost Asia-Pacific carriers.

Members

Airline	Country	Hubs	Frequent flyer program	Lounges	IATA
Cebugo	Philippines	Lapu-Lapu/Cebu City, Manila	GetGo		DG
Cebu Pacific	Philippines	Boracay-Kalibo, Cagayan de Oro, Davao, Iloilo City, Lapu-Lapu/Cebu City, Manila, Pampanga, Zamboanga City	GetGo		5J
Jeju Air	South Korea	Jeju, Seoul-Gimpo, Seoul-Incheon	Refresh Point		7C
Nok Air	Thailand	Bangkok-Don Mueang, Chiang Mai, Ho Chi Minh City, Phuket, Yangon	Nok Fan Club		DD
Scoot	Singapore	Singapore, Taipei-Taoyuan	KrisFlyer		TR

Vanilla Alliance

Vanilla Alliance (French: Alliance Vanille) was created to improve air connectivity within the Indian Ocean region.

Members

Airline	Country	Hubs	Frequent flyer program	Lounges	IATA
Air Austral	France	Saint-Denis	Capricorn		UU
Madagascar Airlines	Madagascar	Antananarivo	Namako		MD
Air Mauritius	Mauritius	Port Louis	Kestrelflyer		MK
Air Seychelles	Seychelles	Victoria	Etihad Guest		HM
Int'Air Îles	Comoros	Anjouan			I7

Rail-air alliances

In some countries (especially those with extensive high speed rail networks) there are also cooperation agreements between airlines and railway operators, offering trains as a code-shared "flight" or other benefits to travelers. For more on the topic see rail air alliances.

Frequent flyer programs

Main article: Frequent flyer programmes

You should choose your Frequent Flyer airline in an alliance carefully. Although you may think it is intuitive to join the airline you fly most, you should be aware that privileges offered are often different and frequent flyer points may be more generous under a different airline in the same alliance.

By way of example, to reach Star Alliance Gold status (affording you priority wait listing and boarding, extra checked baggage allowance and use of lounges even when flying on any Star Alliance economy flight) requires only 20,000 miles in one year with Aegean Airlines' Miles&Bonus program, but some other member programs require 50,000 or even 100,000 miles in a year to be flown before awarding Gold status.