Oneworld Connect - Fiji Airways

[SYD]

Nice move. I’ve often thought that FJ would be handy as a OW affiliate.

oneworld connect

Should simplify lounge access in SYD and LAX etc!

Who could be next?

 

[rock86]

Nice move. I’ve often thought that FJ would be handy as a OW affiliate.

oneworld connect

Should simply lounge access in SYD and LAX etc!

Who could be next?

I wonder if this means that you'll be allowed to use FJ in the OWE Awards?

It is probably too early in the piece after their re-branding and 'new direction', but with Qatar's major ownership and Akbar Al Baker stating he'd like them to be a full Oneworld member eventually, Air Italy comes to mind as a possible Oneworld Connect member. At least until they're ready to become a full member?

 

[moa999]

Who could be next

All the airlines participating in Global Explorer are possible additions

Global Explorer enables you to fly with selected airlines outside the oneworld® alliance, including Aer Lingus, Alaska Airlines and its affiliate Horizon Air, Bangkok Airways, Fiji Airways, Jetstar, Jetstar Asia, Jetstar Japan, Jetstar Pacific, Meridiana and WestJet; plus, Qantas code-share flights operated by Air Tahiti Nui.

On Air Italy (Meridiana) I think Qatar CEO said he wanted it to become a full member asap, so maybe they will just go the whole way quickly.

I'd also think Vueling and Level (both IAG owned) are likely additions.

 

[SYD]

All the airlines participating in Global Explorer are possible additions

I'd also think Vueling and Level (both IAG owned) are likely additions.

I would have thought Vueling could come in as an Affilate of IB/BA. Similarly JQ under QF. But I won’t hold my breath for either.

 

[drron]

Not sure about WestJet.They are in the process of ditching their alliance with AA and entering into a closer relationship with Delta.

 

[SYD]

Not sure about WestJet.They are in the process of ditching their alliance with AA and entering into a closer relationship with Delta.

Pity.

Bangkok Airways would have to be a contender?

 

[Himeno]

New oneworld program... interesting.

It appears that oneworld connect members are "partial" members. Limited oneworld benefits when traveling on the connect members, unless you're FFP is with one of the 'sponsors', where you get almost full benefits when flying with the connect member.
Connect airlines need to have at least 3 full members as sponsors. FJ has QF, AA, BA and CX.

 

[Mattg]

I hope this doesn't lead to a reduction in FJ award availability (due to having to compete for seats with more people)!

I would think Aer Lingus is an obvious choice for another Oneworld Connect member.

 

[drron]

Of course you will have more award competition.As a QF NB but a sooon to be BAEC OWE I will be higher up the pecking order now.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Additional benefits for Qantas, American Airlines, British Airways and Cathay Pacific frequent flyers when travelling with Fiji Airways will include:

• Earning and redeeming frequent flyer points
• Earning status credits
• Interlining of luggage
• Lounge access for Oneworld Sapphire and Emerald frequent flyers

So this means that a QF ff will now earn SC and get lounge access on FJ flights ie does not have to be booked as a QF marketed flight?

Interlining of luggage is a bit of an open ended statement. This would happen anyway on the same ticket provided both airlines had an interline agreement for baggage, so are they saying that FJ, as a OW Connect member will through check bags on separate tickets? Be funny if they did when the majority of full members of the OW Alliance no longer do.

 

[SYD]

So this means that a QF ff will now earn SC and get lounge access on FJ flights ie does not have to be booked as a QF marketed flight?

We already do get SCs but simplifying Lounge Access will be good.

eg WP travelling FJ whY gets *no* Lounge in SYD. Definitely no 1st Lounge at the moment. Need to have QF code or J to get into a lounge.

 

[SYD]

Who could be next?

Pondering my own question further and what OW airlines have common FF partners and/or commercial interests:

JQs and VY - probably not - LCCs?

EI - already hinted that they might roll into OW proper? Otherwise a shortcut?

TN - makes similar sense to FJ and partner with QF and AA - who else?

9W - sweet spot for several OW airlines?

IG - Global Explorer partner and intra Europe option?

AS - would be handy. Would AA sponsor closer integration?

WS - plugs a strategic hole post CA folding into AC

PG - intra Asian partner. Who would sponsor?

Others?

 

[drron]

Well AA ended their partnership with AS on 31/1/18 so no I doubt they would sponsor AS.
AA are ending their tie up with WS on 31/7/18.WS have announced a joint venture with Delta so I see no way WS is coming to OW.
American Airlines Separates From Yet Another Airline Partner

TN on the other hand could be a goer.In 2015 the French Polynesia Tourism Minister announced that TN may join OW and it is government owned.Presumed they baulked at the cost.This however could work.
Air Tahiti Nui To Join OneWorld Alliance In 2015? - One Mile at a Time

 

[samh004]

I'd also think Vueling and Level (both IAG owned) are likely additions.

I would have thought Vueling could come in as an Affilate of IB/BA.

As it stands, Air Nostrum and Iberia Express are full affiliates but Vueling and Level are not, so perhaps this could be a good way to integrate them.

Similarly JQ under QF. But I won’t hold my breath for either.

Connect airlines need to have at least 3 full members as sponsors.

Considering JQ has so many different forms in different countries, I think they could plug a hole in the OW network quite nicely if they became a Connect member, but short of QF and JL sponsoring them, who would be the third? I can't see CX pitching in, haha!

 

[Himeno]

Considering JQ has so many different forms in different countries, I think they could plug a hole in the OW network quite nicely if they became a Connect member, but short of QF and JL sponsoring them, who would be the third? I can't see CX pitching in, haha!

Current codeshare agreements with oneworld members for Jetstar Group:
JQ: QF, JL, AA, LA
GK: QF, JL, AA
3K: QF, AY, UL
BL: QF

 

[moa999]

Current codeshare agreements with oneworld members for Jetstar Group:
JQ: QF, JL, AA, LA
GK: QF, JL, AA
3K: QF, AY, UL
BL: QF

And other onrworld operators to core hubs
JQ - BA, CX, MH
GK (NRT) - AY, BA, CX, MH, S7
3K (SIN) - AY, BA, CX, MH
BL (SGN) - AY, CX, JL, MH

 

[ozbeachbabe]

And other onrworld operators to core hubs
JQ - BA, CX, MH
GK (NRT) - AY, BA, CX, MH, S7
3K (SIN) - AY, BA, CX, MH
BL (SGN) - AY, CX, JL, MH

Current codeshare agreements with oneworld members for Jetstar Group:
JQ: QF, JL, AA, LA
GK: QF, JL, AA
3K: QF, AY, UL
BL: QF

And other onrworld operators to core hubs
JQ - BA, CX, MH
GK (NRT) - AY, BA, CX, MH, S7
3K (SIN) - AY, BA, CX, MH
BL (SGN) - AY, CX, JL, MH

I realise the above posts relate to codeshare agreements however for the purpose of through checking bags to other airlines when a baggage interline agreement exists, it seems that JQ don't mind that the onward flights are booked separately when it comes to adding the oncarriage flight details at check in order to tag bags to their final destination.

A lot of the time JQ flights will are booked direct with Jetstar on their website and are therefore in a separate pnr from the legacy carrier's which may have been booked through a GDS or other airline website.

 

[BD1959]

Courtesy of OneMileAtATime FJ to be the first oneWorld Connect partner.

Apologies - have just found this original post - mods feel free to remove this.

Regards,

BD

 

[SYD]

I noticed FJ already showing OW logo on the new 787MAX IFE.

Review: Fiji Airways' new Boeing 737 MAX 8 business class seat

So looks like FJ connect going live could be imminent?

There is speculation on other Full and Connect member announcements tomorrow (5 Dec).

 

[moa999]

And on the outside
Aviation Photo #5276743: Boeing 737-8 MAX - Fiji Airways

On their new Max which arrived today