Highly regarded Oman Air have confirmed they will be joining the oneworld alliance. This news comes after both Royal Air Maroc and Alaska Airlines joined in 2020 and 2021 respectively.
This news originally broke in September 2021 and the Muscat based airline is expected to commence offering alliance benefits from 2024. Judging from past trends, this usually happens at the start of the summer timetables in late March, so it’s likely to occur then.
Who Are Oman Air?
Founded in 1993, Oman Air operates to 41 destinations across Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa. Featuring a fleet of more than 40 aircraft (Boeing 737s, Boeing 787s and Airbus A330s), they offer business class and economy class on all flights.
Who Is Next For Oneworld?
A cursory look online has seen Ireland’s Aer Lingus appear a few times. They were a member of the alliance until 2007, when they decided to leave due to the costs of integrating the new airlines joining that year.
Since they are in IAG and the other big airlines in that group (British Airways and Iberia) are in the alliance, it is possible they will get on board again. This is more likely perhaps as they are also now part of the transatlantic joint venture with American Airlines, Finnair and the other two.
Overall Thoughts
It’s great to see the oneworld alliance expanding. I wonder if they will end up nabbing a South American carrier after LATAM decided to leave. That would probably be a good idea in future, if there is anyone suitable.
Who do you think should join the alliance next? Does anyone stand out in particular? Thank you for reading and if you have any comments or questions, please leave them below.
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Featured image by Andrea Tabanelli on Airliners.net via Wikimedia Commons.
Oman Air Boeing 787 by Anna Zvereva via Wikimedia Commons.
I do hope aer lingus is next. I really thought joining the transatlantic joint venture would lead to them rejoining or at least providing loyalty integration like the other airlines in the joint venture. As an Irish based person aer club is really the only way to get status with an airline so it would be great to get one world benefits through aer club
I agree. Even if they allowed earning points and status with AA, BA, IB, AY, that would be pretty great. I would switch so much of my flying to Aer Lingus if I earned Tier Points in BA’s programme that it would make your head spin. Fingers crossed it happens one day soon!