There are 3 global airline alliances (Star Alliance, oneworld, SkyTeam), which account for almost half of all global aviation traffic. They’re partnerships between a total of 56 airlines that are among the world’s biggest and best-known. Alliances are relevant for some travelers — and absolutely vital for all those who are interested in travel rewards.
Here are the details of the 3 global airline alliances.
Basics — Global airline alliances
The concept of major alliances has existed since 1997 and is an evolution of airline partnerships. Alliances are partnerships that involve very close collaboration, benefiting both travelers and the airlines themselves.
The 3 alliances are useful for travelers for 3 main reasons (from least to most important):
- Convenience of tickets that combine different airlines
- Elite status privileges on different airlines
- Earning and using rewards on different airlines
Convenience of tickets that combine different airlines
The vast majority of people wrongly believe this is the main advantage of alliances.
Yes, it allows you to buy flights from different airlines on a single ticket… but buying on a single ticket is often more expensive, especially for long-distance flights. You pay for convenience, like being protected if the 1st flight is delayed, not having to check in twice, and sometimes having automatic transfer of checked bags.
Concrete example: If you want to go to Vietnam, Air Canada doesn’t have flights. But you can buy an Air Canada flight from Montreal to Japan and an ANA flight from Japan to Vietnam on the same ticket. It costs more than buying separate tickets, but many love paying more for convenience (or they just don’t know about the self-transfer tip yet).
Elite status privileges on different airlines
This is a great alliance benefit, but one that benefits only very few travelers (especially business travelers).
Those who have airline elite status, meaning they spend a lot of money on travel (the thing most people want to try to avoid), have privileges that apply across different airlines. Better seat selection, priority check-in and boarding, access to VIP airport lounges, free checked bags, status requalification, etc. Elite status levels from every airline’s program translate to an alliance-wide elite status, like Star Alliance Gold status.
Concrete example: If you have Air Canada Aeroplan 50K elite status and you’re at your layover in Tokyo, there are no Air Canada airport lounges. But you have access to ANA’s or even United’s. You’ll also have many of your elite status privileges on ANA and all other alliance members because you have Star Alliance Gold elite status.
Earning and using rewards on different airlines
This is by far the most interesting advantage of alliances, and alliances are actually the most important advantage of the best rewards programs (airline programs).
You can earn and use points from any airline rewards program on flights of any airline.
The earning aspect is not very important, because you’re not really going to earn a lot of points by traveling; it’s with welcome bonuses from the best credit cards. But airlines give some when you fly, and thanks to alliances, you can at least concentrate all your points in one program (to avoid being stuck with small amounts in 10 different programs).
The redemption aspect is key because using points from a program on the airline that owns the program is often what gives the worst possible value! Being able to use one airline’s points on all airlines in its alliance gives you many more options to maximize your points.
Concrete example: If you take a United flight, you can enter your Air Canada Aeroplan number to earn Aeroplan points instead of earning less useful United points. But most importantly, if you want to use your Aeroplan points well, you should almost always avoid Air Canada and instead find seats on ANA or any other partner.
List — Global airline alliances
Here’s an introduction to the 3 global airline alliances.
Star Alliance — Global airline alliances
- Member airlines: 25
- Airports served: 1,294
- Fleets size: 5,033
- Annual passengers carried: 762M (#1 of 3)
- Share of all global air traffic: 17% (#1 of 3)
- Key program for Canadians:
- Best current deal for Star Alliance flights:
- 60,000 Aeroplan points
- With the American Express Cobalt Card
Star Alliance member airlines list
Star Alliance member airlines by region
Here is the Star Alliance breakdown by region.
Americas
- Air Canada (Canada)
- United Airlines (USA)
- Copa Airlines (Panama)
- Avianca (Colombia/Ecuador/Costa Rica/El Salvador/Guatemala/Honduras)
Europe
- Lufthansa (Germany)
- SWISS (Switzerland)
- Austrian Airlines (Austria)
- Brussels Airlines (Belgium)
- LOT Polish Airlines (Poland)
- TAP Air Portugal (Portugal)
- Aegean Airlines (Greece)
- Croatia Airlines (Croatia)
- Coming soon: ITA Airways (Italy)
Middle East & Africa
- Turkish Airlines (Türkiye)
- Ethiopian Airlines (Ethiopia)
- Egyptair (Egypt)
- South African Airways (South Africa)
Asia
- ANA/All Nippon Airways (Japan)
- Air China (China)
- Shenzhen Airlines (China)
- THAI (Thailand)
- Singapore Airlines (Singapore)
- EVA Air (Taiwan)
- Asiana Airlines (South Korea)
- Air India (India)
Australia & Pacific
- Air New Zealand (New Zealand)
oneworld — Global airline alliances
- Member airlines: 13
- Airports served: 1,012
- Fleets size: 3,296
- Annual passengers carried: 490M (#3 of 3)
- Share of all global air traffic: 12% (#3 of 3)
- Key program for Canadians:
- Best current deal for oneworld flights:
- 60,000 Avios points
- With the American Express Cobalt Card
- With the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card
oneworld member airlines list
oneworld member airlines by region
Here is the oneworld breakdown by region.
Americas
- American Airlines (USA)
- Alaska Airlines (USA)
- Coming soon: Hawaiian Airlines (Hawaii, USA)
Europe
- British Airways (United Kingdom)
- Iberia (Spain)
- Finnair (Finland)
- Suspended: S7 Airlines (Russia)
Middle East & Africa
- Qatar Airways (Qatar)
- Royal Air Maroc (Morocco)
- Royal Jordanian (Jordan)
- Coming soon: Oman Air (Oman)
Asia
- Cathay Pacific (Hong Kong)
- Japan Airlines (Japan)
- Malaysia Airlines (Malaysia)
- SriLankan Airlines (Sri Lanka)
Australia & Pacific
- Qantas (Australia)
- Coming soon: Fiji Airways (Fiji)
SkyTeam — Global airline alliances
- Member airlines: 18
- Airports served: 1,150
- Fleets size: 3,054
- Annual passengers carried: 630M (#2 of 3)
- Share of all global air traffic: 14% (#2 of 3)
- Key program for Canadians:
- Air France-KLM Flying Blue
- Best current deal for SkyTeam flights:
- 45,000 Flying Blue miles or Delta SkyMiles
- With the American Express Cobalt Card
SkyTeam member airlines list
SkyTeam member airlines by region
Here is the SkyTeam breakdown by region.
Americas
- Delta Air Lines (USA)
- Aeroméxico (Mexico)
- Aerolíneas Argentinas (Argentina)
Europe
- Air France (France)
- KLM (Netherlands)
- Virgin Atlantic (United Kingdom)
- TAROM (Romania)
- Air Europa (Spain)
- SAS/Scandinavian Airlines (Sweden/Norway/Denmark)
- Suspended: Aeroflot (Russia)
Middle East & Africa
- Kenya Airways (Kenya)
- MEA/Middle East Airlines (Lebanon)
- Saudia (Saudi Arabia)
Asia
- China Airlines (Taiwan)
- China Eastern Airlines (China)
- XiamenAir (China)
- Korean Air (South Korea)
- Vietnam Airlines (Vietnam)
- Garuda Indonesia (Indonesia)
Australia & Pacific
- None
Learning how to travel for less
Join over 100,000 savvy Canadian travelers who already receive Flytrippers’ free newsletter so we can help you travel for less — including thanks to the wonderful world of travel rewards!
Summary
The 3 global airline alliances are what enable you to fly all over the world with the most lucrative travel rewards, which are airline rewards.
What would you like to know about airline alliances? Tell us in the comments below.
See the flight deals we spot: Cheap flights
Discover free travel with rewards: Travel rewards
Explore awesome destinations: Travel inspiration
Learn pro tricks: Travel tips
Featured image: Airline alliance logos (photo credit: Flytrippers)
