ONEWORLD: Four new members by 2026– Fiji Airways, Hawaiian Airlines, Oman Air, and Starlux

Currently, the OneWorld Alliance has 13 members, but by the end of 2026 that could go as high as seventeen.

Oneworld is one of three major global alliances, including Star Alliance and Skyteam. Born just before the millennium in February 1999, its founders were American Airlines, British Airways, Canadian Airlines International, Cathay Pacific and Qantas.

We have known about some additions to the alliance for a while. Fiji Airways has been a ‘connect’ member for some time, and Oman Air has been on the books to join since 2022. But there are some new airlines that will be truly new members.

Lets start with the ones that were already on the drawing board.

Fiji Airways to join OneWorld

The Pacific-based airline has been a junior, or ‘Connect’ member of the alliance since 2018. In June 2024 it was announced that having been a connect partner for 5 years, Fiji Airways would move to full membership over the next 12 months. That would make it the 15th member of the alliance from June 2025.

Oman Air to join OneWorld

Back in 2022, Oman Air, based in Muscat, Oman, signed an memorandum of understanding with OneWorld to join the alliance sponsored by Qatar Airlines. The latest word is that Oman Air will officially join OneWorld late in 2024. A date which is rapidly approaching!

But here are the new entrants to the alliance:

Starlux Airlines applying for OneWorld membership

Based in Taipei, Taiwan, Starlux Airlines officially announced its intention to join the OneWorld alliance on Monday 16 September by the Chief Executive Officer, Chai Chien-Hua to investors. Remember that it has only committed to apply.

That does not guarantee acceptance. Remember that the founding airlines including Cathay Pacific, have a right of veto over new members. Starlux is based just over the waters of the Taiwan Strait from Hong Kong. Cathay Pacific may veto membership because Starlux is too much of a competitor within roughly the same market. On the other hand, just like with American Airlines backing the membership of Alaskan, Cathay and Starlux could form some type of partnership, which segments the market, so that the new Taiwanese airline can join OneWorld.

Hawaiian Airlines

Now that the regulator has approved Alaskan Airlines takeover of Hawaiian Airlines, they will formally move towards becoming one unified carrier. They may retain their separate branding and identity but the will move to having one airline operating certificate Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and an integrated passenger service system. That should all be accomplished by 2026, when Hawaiian will also become a full member of OneWorld. That’s confirmed by a statement from a spokesperson from Alaska:

‘We expect Hawaiian to officially join oneworld in 2026 in conjunction with reaching a single PSS (Passenger Service System). In the meantime, HawaiianMiles members can enjoy elite benefits on oneworld member airlines by status matching to Alaska Mileage Plan and using their Mileage Plan number when traveling on oneworld member airlines later this fall.’

Alaska Airlines Spokesperson

2PAXfly Takeout

Expanding alliances are nearly always good news for frequent flyers, as they lead to a wider choice for the redemption of points.

To balance that, they are inherently anti-competitive, and tend to limit choice, and prices. Double edged sword.

While there is still two years to wait before full integration, Hawaiian fares and redemptions will likely become visible on Alaskan booking portals. It should also be possible to transfer points on a one-for-one ratio between the two frequent flyer schemes, Alaska Mileage Plan and HawaiianMiles. We should also see some status reciprocity. That will mean that HawaiianMiles members should be able to access the perks of flying with OneWorld airlines too.