Fiji Airways becomes a full oneworld Alliance member

Fiji Airways is now a full member of the global oneworld Alliance. Fiji’s national carrier was previously a oneworld Connect member, providing some limited partnerships and benefits with selected oneworld airlines. But now as a full member of oneworld, Fiji Airways shares the table with Qantas, British Airways and others.

‘I’m delighted today to announce that Fiji Airways will become a full 15th member of the oneworld Alliance,’ said oneworld Alliance CEO Nat Pieper last year when Fiji’s oneworld ambitions were made known. ‘We’ve had a highly successful relationship over the past five years since the airline joined as a oneworld Connect partner. Fiji Airways will further strengthen oneworld’s position as the premier airline alliance for international global travellers.’

‘The introduction of Fiji Airways marks an important strategic step for our alliance as we connect even more people, places and experiences than ever before,’ Pieper adds at the official joining ceremony. ‘Fiji Airways customers will benefit from oneworld’s global reach of more than 900 destinations, priority services and premium lounge access, and we’re thrilled to welcome them to the oneworld family.’

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What Fiji Airways’ oneworld Alliance membership means for Aussies

For Australian travellers, Fiji Airways’ transition to a full oneworld member is a subtle shift. Members of Qantas Frequent Flyer could already earn and spend Qantas Points on Fiji Airways flights. Equally, Status Credits could be earned on eligible Fiji Airways flights booked on an FJ flight number. (Status Credits can also be earned on a Qantas QF codeshare).

There were some reciprocal lounge access benefits already available between Qantas and Fiji Airways. But Fiji Airways now a full oneworld member, those intricacies become more passenger-friendly. Travellers can now access any available oneworld lounge when flying with Fiji Airways on any oneworld flight number. For instance, Qantas Platinum members can now relax in a Qantas First Lounge when departing on an FJ flight number. While many Qantas staff had been ‘unofficially’ allowing this as of late, this change makes such access official airline policy.

‘As a full oneworld member airline, we’re excited to enhance the travel experience for oneworld Alliance frequent flyers,’ Fiji Airways CEO Andre Viljoen says. This offers ‘greater accessibility to Fiji and the South Pacific, and ensures seamless connections and memorable journeys for Fiji Airways customers across the Alliance network.’

Fiji Airways has adopted American Airlines’ AAdvantage program as its native frequent flyer plan.

Qantas supports Fiji Airways’ bump-up in the Alliance

Qantas was already one of the oneworld carriers supporting Fiji Airways’ entry as a oneworld Connect member. Now, the Roo sees this latest development being as exciting as when the alliance itself was first launched.

‘I remember I was still at Qantas when oneworld was formed,’ Qantas CEO Vanessa Hudson shared at the recent IATA AGM in Dubai. ‘The amount of excitement that came through our organisation, I could say it’s (now) as it was back then 25 years ago. The reason why oneworld has been such an incredible success is because of the unrivalled network that we as airlines provide to our joint customers.’

‘Adding new members as we go is just going to strengthen that. I’m delighted to see Fiji Airways join – our neighbour in the Pacific,’ Hudson adds.

Fiji Airways’ boss acknowledges that ‘we have a lot to live up to as a small island airline. But I’m confident that with our commitment to delivering excellent customer service, we will play an even bigger role carrying oneworld customers to Fiji and the South Pacific and demonstrate our Fiji warmth, hospitality, and care to even more travellers worldwide.’

Also read: Fly in style: Fiji Airways Business Class from $226 return with points

Except where otherwise credited, photography by Chris Chamberlin in Dubai. Chris attended the recent IATA AGM as a guest of IATA.