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{{short description|Cooperation agreement between two or more airlines}}
{{Inappropriate tone|date=January 2010}}
An '''airline alliance''' is an aviation industry arrangement between two or more [[airline]]s agreeing to cooperate on a substantial level. Alliances may provide marketing branding to facilitate travelers making inter-airline [[codeshare agreement|codeshare]] connections within countries. This branding may involve unified [[Aircraft livery|aircraft liveries]] of member aircraft.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/68159 |title=Airline alliances : the airline perspective |author=Fernandez de la Torre, Pablo E. |year=1999 |publisher=DSpace@MIT |hdl=1721.1/68159 |access-date=April 15, 2014}}</ref>


In 2015, [[Star Alliance]] was the largest with 23% of total scheduled traffic in [[Passenger#Revenue passenger kilometres|revenue passenger kilometres (RPKs)/revenue passenger miles (RPMs)]], followed by [[SkyTeam]] with 20.4% and [[Oneworld]] with 17.8%, leaving {{#expr:100-23-20.4-17.8}}% for others.<ref name=WATS2016>{{cite web |title=Scheduled Passengers Carried |publisher=[[IATA]] |work=World Air Transport Statistics 60th Edition |url=http://www.iata.org/pressroom/pr/Pages/2016-07-05-01.aspx |access-date=2016-07-11 |archive-date=2016-07-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160706151832/http://www.iata.org/pressroom/pr/Pages/2016-07-05-01.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2019, by number of passengers, Star Alliance was leading 762&nbsp;million,<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.staralliance.com/documents/20184/680657/GENERAL+STAR+ALLIANCE+BACKGROUNDER.pdf/01b75e64-3f13-a2b7-e16e-cdd01dc87672 |title= backgrounder |date= 18 Oct 2019 |publisher= Star Alliance |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20191222072136/https://www.staralliance.com/documents/20184/680657/GENERAL+STAR+ALLIANCE+BACKGROUNDER.pdf/01b75e64-3f13-a2b7-e16e-cdd01dc87672 |archive-date= 22 December 2019 |url-status= live }}</ref> followed by SkyTeam (630&nbsp;million)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://static.skyteam.com//contentapi/globalassets/pdfs/facts--figures-2019/eng_skyteamfactsheet.pdf|title=Fact Sheet|publisher=SkyTeam|date=2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190829225333/https://static.skyteam.com//contentapi/globalassets/pdfs/facts--figures-2019/eng_skyteamfactsheet.pdf|archive-date=2019-08-29|url-status=live}}</ref> and Oneworld (535&nbsp;million).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.oneworld.com/news/20-years-20-facts-oneworld|title=20 years, 20 facts, oneworld|publisher=OneWorld|date=2019-02-01|access-date=2019-12-22|archive-date=2019-11-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191130143548/https://www.oneworld.com/news/20-years-20-facts-oneworld|url-status=dead}}</ref>
An '''airline alliance''' is an agreement between two or more [[airline]]s to cooperate on a substantial level. The three largest passenger alliances are the [[Star Alliance]], [[SkyTeam]] and [[Oneworld]]. Alliances also form between [[cargo airline]]s, such as that of [[WOW Alliance]], [[SkyTeam Cargo]] and [[All Nippon Airways#ANA/UPS - All Nippon/United Parcel Deal|ANA/UPS Alliance]]. Alliances provide a network of connectivity and convenience for international passengers and international packages. Alliances also provide convenient marketing branding to facilitate travelers making inter-airline [[codeshare agreement|codeshare]] connections within countries. This branding goes as far as to even include unified [[cheatline|aircraft liveries]] among member airlines.


==Rationale==
==Rationale==
Benefits can consist of an extended network, often realised through [[codeshare agreement]]s. Many alliances started as only codeshare networks. Cost reductions come from sharing operation facilities (e.g. catering or computer systems), operation staff (e.g. ground handling personnel, at check-in and boarding desks), investments and purchases (e.g. in order to negotiate extra volume discounts).<ref>{{Cite web|last=Crail|first=Chauncey|date=2021-02-10|title=What Is An Airline Alliance?|url=https://www.forbes.com/advisor/travel-rewards/what-is-an-airline-alliance/|access-date=2022-02-07|website=Forbes Advisor|language=en-US}}</ref> Traveler benefits can include lower prices due to lowered operational costs for a given route, different times to choose from, more destinations within easy reach, shorter travel times, more options of [[airport lounge]]s shared with alliance members, fast track access on all alliance members if having frequent flyer status, faster mileage rewards by earning miles for a single account on several different carriers, [[round-the-world ticket]]s, enabling travellers to fly over the world for a relatively low price.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Gaggero|first1=Alberto A.|last2=Bartolini|first2=David|date=2012|title=The Determinants of Airline Alliances|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/24396319|journal=Journal of Transport Economics and Policy|volume=46|issue=3|pages=399–414|jstor=24396319 |issn=0022-5258}}</ref>
Benefits can consist of:
*An extended network: this is often realised through [[code sharing]] agreements. Many alliances started as only a code sharing network.
*Cost reduction from sharing of:
**Sales offices
**Maintenance facilities
**Operational facilities, e.g. catering or computer systems.
**Operational staff, e.g. ground handling personnel, at check-in and boarding desks.
**Investments and purchases, e.g. in order to negotiate extra volume discounts.
*Traveler benefits can include:
**Lower prices due to lowered operational costs for a given route.
**More departure times to choose from on a given route.
**More destinations within easy reach.
**Shorter travel times as a result of optimised transfers.
**A wider range of [[airport lounge]]s shared with alliance members
**Faster mileage rewards by earning miles for a single account on several different carriers.
**[[Round-the-world ticket]]s, enabling travelers to fly over the world for a relatively low price.
Airline alliances may also create disadvantages for the traveler, such as:
*Higher prices when all competition is erased on a certain route.
*Less frequent flights: for instance, if two airlines separately fly three and two times a day respectively on a shared route, their alliance might fly less than 5(3+2) times a day on the same route. This might be especially true between hub cities for each airline. e.g., flights between Detroit (a Delta Air Lines [[fortress hub]]) and Amsterdam (a KLM fortress hub).


Airline alliances may also create disadvantages for the traveller, such as higher prices when competition is erased on a certain route or less frequent flights; for instance, if two airlines separately fly three and two times a day respectively on a shared route, their alliance might fly less than 5 (3+2) times a day on the same route. This might be especially true between hub cities for each airline. e.g., flights between [[Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport]] (a Delta Air Lines [[fortress hub]]) and [[Amsterdam Airport Schiphol]] (a KLM fortress hub).<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Flores-Fillol|first1=Ricardo|last2=Moner-Colonques|first2=Rafael|date=2007|title=Strategic Formation of Airline Alliances|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/20054029|journal=Journal of Transport Economics and Policy|volume=41|issue=3|pages=427–449|jstor=20054029 |issn=0022-5258}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Armantier|first1=Olivier|last2=Richard|first2=Oliver|date=2008|title=Domestic Airline Alliances and Consumer Welfare|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/25474400|journal=The RAND Journal of Economics|volume=39|issue=3|pages=875–904|doi=10.1111/j.1756-2171.2008.00042.x |jstor=25474400 |issn=0741-6261}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Airline Alliance's Benefits and Drawbacks Explained|url=https://www.aerotime.aero/23173-airline-alliance-benefits|access-date=2022-02-07|website=www.aerotime.aero|language=en|archive-date=2022-02-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220207163247/https://www.aerotime.aero/23173-airline-alliance-benefits|url-status=dead}}</ref>
==Issues==
The ability of an airline to join an alliance is often restricted by laws and regulations or subject to approval by authorities. [[Antitrust]] laws play a large role.

Landing rights may not be owned by the airlines themselves but by the nation in which their head office resides. If an airline loses its national identity by merging to a large extent with a foreign company, existing agreements may be declared void by a country which objects to the merger. In 2010 Swiss lost overflight rights after being bought by Lufthansa.<ref>[http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,5666895,00.html Moscow's muscle flexing about overflight rights aims beyond Switzerland | World | Deutsche Welle | 12.06.2010]. Dw-world.de (2010-02-22). Retrieved on 2011-03-04.</ref>


== History ==
== History ==
The first airline alliance was formed in the 1930s, when [[Panair do Brasil]] and its parent company [[Pan American World Airways]] agreed to exchange routes to [[Latin America]]. In 1990, the African Joint Air Services (AJAS) Accord between Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia led to the launch of Alliance Air in 1994, with South African Airways, Air Tanzania, Uganda Airlines and the governments of Uganda and Tanzania as shareholders.{{citation needed|date=July 2018}}
The first airline alliance started in the 1930s, Air New Zealand and parent company [[Pan American World Airways]] agreed to exchange routes to [[Latin America]]. The first large alliance started in 1989, when [[Northwest Airlines]] and [[KLM Royal Dutch Airlines]] agreed to code sharing on a large scale. A huge step was taken in 1992 when The Netherlands signed the first [[open skies]] agreement with the United States, in spite of objections from the [[European Union]] authorities. This gave both countries unrestricted landing rights on each others' soil. Normally landing rights are granted for a fixed number of flights per week to a fixed destination. Each adjustment takes negotiating, often between governments rather than between the companies involved. The United States was so pleased with the independent position that the Dutch took versus the E.U. that it granted antitrust immunity to the alliance between Northwest and KLM. Other alliances would struggle for years to overcome transnational barriers or still do so.

The first large alliance began in 1989, when [[Northwest Airlines]] and [[KLM]] agreed to large-scale codesharing. In 1992, the Netherlands signed the first [[open skies]] agreement with the United States, in spite of objections from the [[European Union]], which gave both countries unrestricted landing rights on the other's soil. Normally landing rights are granted for a fixed number of flights per week to a fixed destination. Each adjustment requires negotiations, often between governments rather than between the companies involved. In return, the United States granted antitrust immunity to the alliance between Northwest Airlines and KLM. Other alliances would struggle for years to overcome the transnational barriers and lack of antitrust immunity, and still do so.{{Citation needed|date=July 2018}}

On May 14, 1997, an agreement was announced forming the Star Alliance with five airlines on three continents: [[United Airlines]], [[Scandinavian Airlines]], [[Thai Airways International]], [[Air Canada]], and [[Lufthansa]].<ref name="A new alliance" /><ref name="5 Airlines">{{cite news|last=Tagliabue|first=John|title=5 Airlines Extend Limits of Alliances|work=The New York Times|date=15 May 1997|url=https://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FA0A15FA3C5C0C768DDDAC0894DF494D81|access-date=16 October 2010}}</ref> The alliance chose [[Young & Rubicam]] for advertising, with a budget of $25&nbsp;million (€18&nbsp;million).<ref>{{cite news|last=Meredith|first=Robyn|title=Airline Alliance Picks Y.& R.|work=The New York Times|date=15 May 1997|url=https://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FB061FFC3F5C0C768DDDAC0894DF494D81|access-date=16 October 2010}}</ref><ref name="A new alliance">{{cite news|last=Bryant|first=Adam|title=United and 4 Others to Detail Air Alliance Today|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=14 May 1997|url=https://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F0071FFC345D0C778DDDAC0894DF494D81|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130130132618/http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F0071FFC345D0C778DDDAC0894DF494D81|url-status=dead|archive-date=30 January 2013|access-date=16 October 2010}}</ref> which brought competing airlines to form [[Oneworld]] in 1999 and [[SkyTeam]] in 2000.{{citation needed|date=May 2018}}

In 2010 [[Richard Branson]], chairman of the [[Virgin Group]], announced his intention to form a fourth alliance among Virgin branded airlines ([[Virgin Atlantic]]; [[Virgin America]]; and the [[Virgin Australia Holdings]] group of airlines).<ref>{{cite magazine
| last = Perman | first = Stacy | date = 2010-09-05
| url = http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,2015353-1,00.html
| title = Virgin's Richard Branson Circles His Wagons | magazine = [[Time (magazine)|Time]] | access-date = 2011-03-04 | url-status = dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101102075251/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,2015353-1,00.html |archive-date=2 November 2010
}}</ref> Then in September 2011, Branson said that Virgin Atlantic would join one of the existing alliances;<ref>{{cite web
| url = https://www.forbes.com/sites/jonbruner/2011/09/14/virgin-atlantic-will-join-an-alliance-soon-says-richard-branson/
| title = Virgin Atlantic Will Join an Alliance Soon, Says Richard Branson
| first = Jon | last = Bruner | date = 2011-09-14 | work = Forbes
}}</ref> this idea was repeated in October 2012.<ref>{{cite web
| url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/transport/9636203/index.html
| archive-url = https://archive.today/20130505094919/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/transport/9636203/index.html
| url-status = dead
| archive-date = 2013-05-05
| title = Virgin Atlantic to join global airline alliance, says Branson
| first = James | last = Quinn | date = 2012-10-26 | work = Telegraph
}}</ref> In December 2012, Delta Air Lines purchased Singapore Airlines' 49% stake in Virgin Atlantic for £224 million.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Delta and Virgin Atlantic To Form Strategic Alliance |url=https://ir.delta.com/news/news-details/2012/Delta-and-Virgin-Atlantic-To-Form-Strategic-Alliance/default.aspx |access-date=2024-12-24 |website=ir.delta.com |language=en-US}}</ref> [[Virgin America]] was absorbed into [[Alaska Airlines]], which joined the Oneworld alliance in 2021.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/virgin-america-flights-become-alaska-next-april-441881/|title=Virgin America flights become Alaska next April|date=2017-10-05|work=Flightglobal.com|access-date=January 2, 2018|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url= https://www.oneworld.com/news/2021-03-31-a-world-of-possibilities-alaska-airlines-officially-joins-oneworld|title= Alaska Airlines Officially Joins oneworld|date=2021-03-31|access-date=July 5, 2021|language=en-GB}}</ref> Meanwhile, Virgin Atlantic joined SkyTeam in 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Virgin Atlantic to join SkyTeam alliance today |url=https://corporate.virginatlantic.com/gb/en/media/press-releases/virgin-atlantic-to-join-skyteam-alliance-today.html |access-date=2024-12-24 |website=corporate.virginatlantic.com}}</ref>

On February 14, 2013, it was announced that [[American Airlines]] and [[US Airways]] would merge, retaining the American Airlines name and would remain in the Oneworld alliance. US Airways' participation in Star Alliance lapsed. In 2012, in South America, LAN Airlines and TAM Airlines began their merger. In March 2014, with the merger complete, TAM left Star Alliance and became part of LAN in Oneworld.{{citation needed|date=May 2018}}

On September 21, 2015, the [[Vanilla Alliance]] was formed between several airlines based in the [[Indian Ocean]] region, in order to improve air connectivity within the region. The founding members are [[Air Austral]], [[Air Mauritius]], [[Air Madagascar]], [[Air Seychelles]], and [[Int'Air Îles]].{{citation needed|date=May 2018}}

On January 18, 2016, the first alliance of [[low-cost carrier]]s was formed, [[U-FLY Alliance]]. The founding members—[[HK Express]], [[Lucky Air]], [[Urumqi Air]], and [[West Air (China)|West Air]]—are all affiliated with [[HNA Group]], although the alliance is also seeking airlines not within the group.<ref>[http://centreforaviation.com/analysis/hna-group-four-airlines-form-u-fly-alliance-worlds-first-lcc-grouping-showing-hna-consolidation-262418 "HNA Group: four airlines form U-FLY Alliance, world's first LCC grouping, showing HNA consolidation"]. ''CAPA - Centre for Aviation''. 22 January 2016. Retrieved 11 February 2016.</ref>

On May 16, 2016, the world's largest alliance of [[low-cost carrier]]s was formed, [[Value Alliance]]. The founding members were [[Cebu Pacific]], [[Cebgo]], [[Jeju Air]], [[Nok Air]], [[NokScoot]], [[Scoot Airlines]], [[Tigerair]], [[Tigerair Australia]], and [[Vanilla Air]].<ref>[https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-05-16/singapore-airlines-low-cost-carriers-others-start-alliance "Singapore Airlines’ Low-Cost Carriers, Others Start Alliance"]. ''Bloomberg''. 16 May 2016. Retrieved 16 May 2016.</ref>

==Current alliances==

=== Star Alliance ===
[[File:Star Alliance tails at Tokyo Narita Airport - Thai, United, Swiss and SAS.jpg|thumb|Three current members and one former member of [[Star Alliance]] at [[Narita International Airport|Tokyo Narita Airport]] [[Thai Airways International|Thai]], [[United Airlines|United]], [[Swiss International Air Lines|Swiss]] and [[Scandinavian Airlines]] (SAS), the latter moving to [[SkyTeam]] in 2024]]
[[File:JA899A@PEK (20201229153435).jpg|thumb|[[Boeing 787-9]] of [[All Nippon Airways]]]]
{{main|Star Alliance}}
[[Star Alliance]], founded in 1997, currently has 25 members:<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=http://www.staralliance.com/en/about/airlines/ |title=Member airline |publisher=[[Star Alliance]] |date=June 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130304191248/http://www.staralliance.com/en/about/airlines/ |archive-date=2013-03-04}}</ref>

{{flagicon|GRE}} [[Aegean Airlines]], 2010<br/>
{{flagicon|CAN}} [[Air Canada]], founder<br/>
{{flagicon|CHN}} [[Air China]], 2007<br/>
{{flagicon|IND}} [[Air India]], 2014<br/>
{{flagicon|NZL}} [[Air New Zealand]], 1999<br/>
{{flagicon|JPN}} [[All Nippon Airways]], 1999<br/>
{{flagicon|KOR}} [[Asiana Airlines]], 2003<br/>
{{flagicon|AUT}} [[Austrian Airlines]], 2000<br/>
{{flagicon|COL}} [[Avianca]], 2012<br/>
{{flagicon|BEL}} [[Brussels Airlines]], 2009<br/>
{{flagicon|PAN}} [[Copa Airlines]], 2012<br/>
{{flagicon|CRO}} [[Croatia Airlines]], 2004<br/>
{{flagicon|EGY}} [[EgyptAir]], 2008<br/>
{{flagicon|ETH}} [[Ethiopian Airlines]], 2011<br/>
{{flagicon|TWN}} [[EVA Air]], 2013<br/>
{{flagicon|POL}} [[LOT Polish Airlines]], 2003<br/>
{{flagicon|GER}} [[Lufthansa]], founder<br/>
{{flagicon|CHN}} [[Shenzhen Airlines]], 2012<br/>
{{flagicon|SIN}} [[Singapore Airlines]], 2000<br/>
{{flagicon|SAF}} [[South African Airways]], 2006<br/>
{{flagicon|SWI}} [[Swiss International Air Lines]], 2006<br/>
{{flagicon|POR}} [[TAP Air Portugal]], 2005<br/>
{{flagicon|THA}} [[Thai Airways|Thai Airways International]], founder<br/>
{{flagicon|TUR}} [[Turkish Airlines]], 2008<br/>
{{flagicon|USA}} [[United Airlines]], founder<br/>

Future Members:<br/>
{{flagicon|ITA}} [[ITA Airways]], Lufthansa takeover<br/>

Former members:
{{columns-list|colwidth=25em|
*{{flagicon|SLO}} [[Adria Airways]], 2004–2019, defunct
*{{flagicon|Australia}} [[Ansett Australia]], 1999–2001, defunct
*{{flagicon|FIN}} [[Blue1]], 2004–2012, defunct
*{{flagicon|GBR}} [[BMI (airline)|BMI]], 2000–2012, absorbed into [[British Airways]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.staralliance.com/en/press/bmi-removal-prp/ |title=Bmi Formally Leaves |publisher=Star Alliance |date=2012-05-31 |access-date=2012-10-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121016003703/http://www.staralliance.com/en/press/bmi-removal-prp/ |archive-date=2012-10-16 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Continental Airlines]], 2009–2012, merged with [[United Airlines]]
*{{flagicon|MEX}} [[Mexicana de Aviación]], 2000–2004, joined [[Oneworld]] in 2009
*{{flagicon|DNK}} {{flagicon|NOR}} {{flagicon|SWE}} [[Scandinavian Airlines]], founder, 1997–2024, joined SkyTeam in 2024
*{{flagicon|CHN}} [[Shanghai Airlines]], 2007–2010, merged with [[China Eastern Airlines]] and joined [[SkyTeam]] in 2011
*{{flagicon|ESP}} [[Spanair]], 2003–2012, defunct
*{{flagicon|El Salvador}} [[Grupo TACA|TACA]], 2012–2013, merged with [[Avianca]]
*{{flagicon|BRA}} [[TAM Airlines]], 2010–2014, merged with [[LAN Airlines]] and joined [[Oneworld]] in 2014
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[US Airways]], 2004–2014, joined [[Oneworld]] as an affiliate member of [[American Airlines]]
*{{flagicon|BRA}} [[Varig]], 1997–2007, defunct
}}

==== Star Alliance Connecting Partners ====
*{{flagicon|CHN}} [[Juneyao Air]], 2017

==== Star Alliance Intermodal Partnership ====
*{{flagicon|GER}} [[Deutsche Bahn]], 2022<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.staralliance.com/en/news-article?newsArticleId=4540544&groupId=20184 |title= Star Alliance Intermodal Partnership |publisher=Star Alliance}}</ref> <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.aviation24.be/alliances/star-alliance/german-railway-operator-deutsche-bahn-joins-star-alliance/ |title=Deutsche Bahn joins Star Alliance |date=29 June 2022 |publisher=Aviation24.be}}</ref>

=== Oneworld ===
[[File:CN-RGB - Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner - Royal Air Maroc.jpg|thumb|[[Royal Air Maroc]] [[Boeing 787 Dreamliner|Boeing 787-8]]]]
{{main|Oneworld}}
[[Oneworld]], founded in 1999, currently has 13 members:<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.oneworld.com/members |title= Member Airlines |publisher=[[Oneworld]]}}</ref>

{{flagicon|USA}} [[Alaska Airlines]], 2021<br/>
{{flagicon|USA}} [[American Airlines]], founder<br/>
{{flagicon|GBR}} [[British Airways]], founder<br/>
{{flagicon|HKG}} [[Cathay Pacific]], founder<br/>
{{flagicon|FIN}} [[Finnair]], 1999<br/>
{{flagicon|ESP}} [[Iberia Airlines]], 1999<br/>
{{flagicon|JPN}} [[Japan Airlines]], 2007<br/>
{{flagicon|MYS}} [[Malaysia Airlines]], 2013<br/>
{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Qantas]], founder<br/>
{{flagicon|QAT}} [[Qatar Airways]], 2013<br/>
{{flagicon|MAR}} [[Royal Air Maroc]], 2020<br/>
{{flagicon|JOR}} [[Royal Jordanian]], 2007<br/>
{{flagicon|LKA}} [[SriLankan Airlines]], 2014


Former members:

{{columns-list|colwidth=21em|
*{{flagicon |Ireland}} [[Aer Lingus]], 2000–2007, left the alliance<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oneworld.com/news/aer-lingus-plans-to-leave-oneworld |title=Aer Lingus leaving Oneworld |publisher=Oneworld}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|GER}} [[Air Berlin]], 2012–2017, defunct
*{{flagicon|CAN}} [[Canadian Airlines]], founder, 1999–2000, acquired by [[Air&nbsp;Canada]]
*{{flagicon|BRA}} [[LATAM Brasil]], 2014–2020
*{{flagicon|CHL}} [[LATAM Chile]], 2000–2020
*{{flagicon|HUN}} [[Malév Hungarian Airlines]], 2007–2012, defunct
*{{flagicon|MEX}} [[Mexicana de Aviación]], 2009 (ceased operations in 2010)
*{{flagicon|RUS}} [[S7 Airlines]], 2010–2022, suspended from alliance
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[US Airways]], 2014–2015, merged with [[American Airlines]]
}}
Future members:
* {{flagicon|OMA}} [[Oman Air]], joining on 30 June 2025<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-20 |title=Oman Air to join Oneworld on June 30, 2025 - Executive Traveller |url=https://www.executivetraveller.com/news/oman-air-joins-oneworld-on-30-june-2025 |access-date=2025-01-02 |website=www.executivetraveller.com |language=en}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|FIJ}} [[Fiji Airways]], joining in 2025 (currently as Oneworld Connect Partners)
* {{flagicon|USA}} [[Hawaiian Airlines]], joining in 2026

=== SkyTeam ===
[[File:PK-GII (Soekarno-Hatta Airport, 29 December 2017).jpg|thumb|[[Boeing 777|Boeing 777-300ER]] of [[Garuda Indonesia]]]]
{{main|SkyTeam}}
[[SkyTeam]], founded in 2000, currently has 19 members:<ref name=":1">{{cite web |url=http://www.skyteam.com/en/About-us/Press/Facts-and-Figures/ |title=Facts and Figures |publisher=[[SkyTeam]] |location=[[Amsterdam]] |date=5 March 2014 |access-date=9 July 2013 |archive-date=20 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110620184016/http://www.skyteam.com/en/About-us/Press/Facts-and-Figures/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

{{flagicon|ARG}} [[Aerolíneas Argentinas]], 2012<br/>
{{flagicon|MEX}} [[Aeroméxico]], founder<br/>
{{flagicon|ESP}} [[Air Europa]], 2007<br/>
{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Air France]], founder<br/>
{{flagicon|TWN}} [[China Airlines]], 2011<br/>
{{flagicon|CHN}} [[China Eastern Airlines]], 2011<br/>
{{flagicon|USA}} [[Delta Air Lines]], founder<br/>
{{flagicon|IDN}} [[Garuda Indonesia]], 2014<br/>
{{flagicon|ITA}} [[ITA Airways]], 2021<br/>
{{flagicon|KEN}} [[Kenya Airways]], 2007<br/>
{{flagicon|NLD}} [[KLM|KLM Royal Dutch Airlines]], 2004<br/>
{{flagicon|KOR}} [[Korean Air]], founder<br />
{{flagicon|LBN}} [[Middle East Airlines]], 2012 <br />
{{flagicon|SAU}} [[Saudia]], 2012<br />
{{flagicon|DNK}} {{flagicon|NOR}} {{flagicon|SWE}} [[Scandinavian Airlines]], 2024<br/>
{{flagicon|ROM}} [[TAROM]], 2010 <br />
{{flagicon|VNM}} [[Vietnam Airlines]], 2010<br />
{{flagicon|GBR}} [[Virgin Atlantic]], 2023<br />
{{flagicon|CHN}} [[XiamenAir]], 2012

Former members:
{{columns-list|colwidth=25em|
*{{flagicon|RUS}} [[Aeroflot]], 2006–2022, suspended from alliance
*{{flagicon|ITA}} [[Alitalia]], 2001–2021, defunct
*{{flagicon|CHN}} [[China Southern Airlines]], 2007–2018
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Continental Airlines]], 2004–2009, joined [[Star Alliance]] in 2009
*{{flagicon|Panama}} [[Copa Airlines]], 2007–2009, joined [[Star Alliance]] in 2012
*{{flagicon|CZE}} [[Czech Airlines]], 2001–2024, defunct
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Northwest Airlines]], 2004–2010, merged with [[Delta Air Lines]]
}}

=== Vanilla Alliance ===
{{main|Vanilla Alliance}}
[[Vanilla Alliance]], founded in 2015, currently has 5 members:<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/news/40422-vanilla-alliance-agreements-signed-in-antananarivo|title=Vanilla Alliance agreements signed in Antananarivo|website=ch-aviation|language=en-US|access-date=2016-04-09}}</ref><br/>

{{flagicon|REU|local}} [[Air Austral]], founder<br/>
{{flagicon|MDG}} [[Air Madagascar]], founder<br/>
{{flagicon|MUS}} [[Air Mauritius]], founder<br/>
{{flagicon|SYC}} [[Air Seychelles]], founder<br/>
{{flagicon|COM}} [[Int'Air Îles]], founder

=== U-FLY Alliance ===
{{main|U-FLY Alliance}}
[[U-FLY Alliance]], founded in 2016, currently has 4 members:<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.uflyalliance.com/about|title=UFLY Alliance|website=www.uflyalliance.com|access-date=April 9, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180825173350/http://uflyalliance.com/about|archive-date=August 25, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>

{{flagicon|KOR}} [[Eastar Jet]], 2016<br/>
{{flagicon|CHN}} [[Lucky Air]], founder<br/>
{{flagicon|CHN}} [[Urumqi Air]], founder<br/>
{{flagicon|CHN}} [[West Air (China)|West Air]], founder

Former members:
*{{flagicon|HKG}} [[HK Express]], 2016-2019, founder, acquired by [[Cathay Pacific]] in 2019.

=== Value Alliance ===
{{main|Value Alliance}}
[[Value Alliance]], founded in 2016, currently has 5 members:<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.valuealliance.com/#!about/c1enr|title=Value Alliance|website=www.valuealliance.com/|access-date=2016-05-16}}</ref>

{{flagicon|PHL}} [[Cebu Pacific]], founder<br/>
{{flagicon|PHL}} [[Cebgo]], founder<br/>
{{flagicon|KOR}} [[Jeju Air]], founder<br/>
{{flagicon|THA}} [[Nok Air]], founder<br/>
{{flagicon|SGP}} [[Scoot]], founder


Former members:
The [[Star Alliance]] was founded in 1997 which forced competing airlines to form [[Oneworld]] in 1999 and [[SkyTeam]] in 2000. [[Richard Branson]], chairman of the [[Virgin Group]], announced his intention to form a fourth alliance among Virgin branded airlines ([[Virgin Atlantic]]; [[Virgin America]]; and the [[Virgin Australia Holdings]] group of airlines).<ref>Perman, Stacy. (2010-09-05) [http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,2015353-1,00.html Virgin's Richard Branson Circles His Wagons]. TIME. Retrieved on 2011-03-04.</ref>
*{{flagicon|THA}} [[NokScoot]], 2016–2020, defunct
*{{flagicon|SIN}} [[Tigerair]], 2016–2017, merged with [[Scoot]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Tigerair Australia]], 2016–2018, founder
*{{flagicon|JPN}} [[Vanilla Air]], 2016–2018, founder, merged with [[Peach Aviation]]


==Alliances==
== Statistics ==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
Membership and market data for the largest airline alliances (as of January 2012) <ref>[http://www.staralliance.com/en/about/airlines/]</ref> <ref>[http://www.skyteam.com/en/General-information/FAQ/</ref> <ref>[http://www.oneworld.com/content/factsheet/W1_2011-09-18%20oneworld%20at-a-glance%20table.pdf]</ref>
! scope="col" | Alliance
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%"
! scope="col" data-sort-type= number | Members
! scope="col" data-sort-type= number | Passengers<br/>/year
! scope="col" data-sort-type= number | Countries<br/>served
! scope="col" data-sort-type= number | Destination
! scope="col" data-sort-type= number | Fleet
! scope="col" data-sort-type= number | Employees
! scope="col" data-sort-type= number | Revenue<br/>/year (US$)
! scope="col" data-sort-type= number | Flights<br/>/day
! scope="col" colspan=2 data-sort-type= number | [[Revenue Passenger Kilometer|RPK]]<ref name=WATS2016/>
|-
|-
| [[Star Alliance]]<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.staralliance.com/documents/20184/680657/Facts+and+Figures/c8797e1f-12d0-46ea-b5ad-28edfa31803c |title= Facts and Figures |publisher= Star Alliance |date= 2 July 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160415153753/http://www.staralliance.com/documents/20184/680657/Facts+and+Figures/c8797e1f-12d0-46ea-b5ad-28edfa31803c |archive-date= 15 April 2016 |url-status= dead }}</ref>
! style="width:20%"|
| 26 || 642.1 Mn || 195 || 1,360 || 5,000 || 432,603 || 179.05 Bn || 19,000 || {{#expr:6678.694*0.23round0}} Bn || 23%
! style="width:20%" scope="col"| [[Star Alliance]] <br> 27 members <br> Founded 1997
! style="width:20%" scope="col"| [[SkyTeam]] <br> 15 members <br> Founded 2000
! style="width:20%" scope="col"| [[Oneworld]] <br> 12 members <br> Founded 1999
! style="width:20%" scope="col"| Rest of Industry <br> (selected major non-aligned carriers)
|-
|-
| [[SkyTeam]]<ref>{{cite web |url= https://content.skyteam.com/contentapi/globalassets/about-us/pdf/skyteam-fact-sheet-summer-2016-final.pdf |title= Factsheet |date= Summer 2016 |publisher= SkyTeam |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160717131501/http://content.skyteam.com/contentapi/globalassets/about-us/pdf/skyteam-fact-sheet-summer-2016-final.pdf |archive-date= 2016-07-17 |url-status= live }}</ref>
! scope="row" | Passengers&nbsp;per&nbsp;year
| 603.8 million || 474 million || 303 million || Unavailable
| 19 || 665.4 Mn || 175 || 1,062 || 3,937
| 481,691<ref name=SkyTeam2015>{{cite web|url=http://static.skyteam.com/cdn-1d0662ab098c929/Global/Press/Facts |title=Factsheet |date=March 2015 |publisher=SkyTeam |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150530210724/http://static.skyteam.com/cdn-1d0662ab098c929/Global/Press/Facts%20and%20figures/2015%20-%20Skyteam%20Facts%20and%20Figures/SkyTeam%20Fact%20and%20Figure%20sheet_Apr%202015.pdf |archive-date=2015-05-30 }}</ref>
| {{#expr:1.9+4.6+.512+37.7+2.9+5.3+.322+1.1181*(4.4+2.1+1.5+25.6+3.1+.514+1.8)+0.15937*(88+98.5+16.1)+104*0.01093+11800*0.0009069round2}} Bn<ref name=SkyTeam2015/> <!-- at 1.1181 USD/EUR, 0.15937 RMB/USD, 0.01093 KES/USD, 0.0009069 KRW/USD on 1 March 2015 -->
| 17,343 || {{#expr:6678.694*0.204round0}} Bn || 20.4%
|-
|-
| [[Oneworld]]<ref>{{cite web |url= https://fr.oneworld.com/news-information/oneworld-fact-sheets/oneworld-at-a-glance/ |title= oneworld at a glance |publisher= Oneworld |date= July 2016}}</ref>
! scope="row" | Countries
| 13 || 557.4 Mn || 161 || 1,016 || 3,560 || 382,913 || 130.92 Bn || 13,814 || {{#expr:6678.694*0.178round0}} Bn || 17.8%
| 185 || 173 || 147 || Unavailable
|-
|-
| [[Value Alliance]]<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.valuealliance.com/#!about/c1enr |title= About |publisher= Value Alliance}}</ref>
! scope="row" | Destinations
| 7 || 180 Mn || 30 || 183 || 554 || - || - || 400 || {{#expr:6678.694*0.016round0}} Bn || 1.6%
| 1185 || 916 || 766 || Unavailable
|-
|-
| [[U-FLY Alliance]] || 8 || 200 Mn || 18 || 149 || 593 || - || - || 420 || {{#expr:6678.694*0.006round0}} Bn || 0.6%
! scope="row" | Revenue Billion US$ (€)
| 156.8 (145) || 97.9 (90) || 89.875 (85) || Unavailable
|-
|-
| [[Vanilla Alliance]] || 5 || 2.3 Mn || 26 || 89 || 46 || - || - || - || - ||
! scope="row" | Market&nbsp;share
| 29.3% || 24.6% || 23.2% || Unavailable
|- style="vertical-align: top;"
! scope="row" | Participants¹
|'''Members'''<br> (JP) [[Adria Airways]] <br>2004 <br> (A3) [[Aegean Airlines]]<br>2010 <br> (AC) [[Air Canada]] <br>founder <br>(CA) [[Air China]] <br>2007 <br> (NZ) [[Air New Zealand]] <br>1999 <br>(NH) [[All Nippon Airways|ANA]]<br> 1999 <br>(OZ) [[Asiana Airlines]] <br>2003<br>(OS) [[Austrian Airlines]] <br>2000<br>(KF) [[Blue1]] <br>2004 <br>(BD) [[BMI (airline)|BMI]]<br> 2000 <br> (SN) [[Brussels Airlines]] <br>2009 <br>(OU) [[Croatia Airlines]] <br>2004<br>(MS) [[EgyptAir]] <br>2008<br> (ET) [[Ethiopian Airlines]] <br> 2011 <br> (LO) [[LOT Polish Airlines]] <br>2003 <br>(LH) [[Lufthansa]]<br> founder <br>(SK) [[Scandinavian Airlines System|SAS]] <br>founder <br> (SQ) [[Singapore Airlines]]<br> 2000<br>(SA) [[South African Airways]]<br> 2006 <br>(JK) [[Spanair]] <br>2003<br>(LX) [[Swiss International Air Lines]] <br>2006<br> (JJ) [[TAM Airlines]] <br>2010<br>(TP) [[TAP Portugal]] <br>2005<br>(TG) [[Thai Airways International]] <br>founder <br> (TK) [[Turkish Airlines]]<br> 2008 <br>(UA) [[United Airlines]] <br>founder <br>(US) [[US Airways]] <br>2004<br><br> '''Future Members'''<br>(AV) [[Avianca]] <br>2012<br> (TA) [[Grupo TACA|TACA]] <br> 2012 <br> (CM) [[Copa Airlines]] <br> 2012 <br>(ZH) [[Shenzhen Airlines]] <br> 2012 <br><br> '''Former Members''' <br> (AN) [[Ansett Airlines]] <br>1999–2001, defunct<br>(CO) [[Continental Airlines]] <br>2009–2011, merged with [[United Airlines]] <br> (MX) [[Mexicana de Aviación|Mexicana]]<br> 2000–2004, joined Oneworld 2009 <br>(RG) [[Varig]] <br>founder, 1997–2007, ejected <br> (FM) [[Shanghai Airlines]] <br>2007–2010, merged with [[China Eastern]] and joined SkyTeam in 2011
|'''Members'''<br>(SU) [[Aeroflot]] <br>2006 <br>(AM) [[Aeroméxico]]<br> founder <br>(UX) [[Air Europa]]<br> 2007<br>(AF) [[Air France]] <br>founder <br>(AZ) [[Alitalia]]<br> 2001–2009 as [[Alitalia-Linee Aeree Italiane]], rejoined 2009 <br> (CI) [[China Airlines]]<br> 2011<br> (MU) [[China Eastern Airlines]] <br>2011<br>(CZ) [[China Southern Airlines]]<br> 2007 <br>(OK) [[Czech Airlines]]<br> 2001 <br>(DL) [[Delta Air Lines]]<br> founder <br>(KQ) [[Kenya Airways]] <br>2007 <br>(KL) [[KLM]] <br>2004 <br>(KE) [[Korean Air]] <br>founder <br> (RO) [[TAROM]] <br>2010 <br> (VN) [[Vietnam Airlines]] <br>2010 <br> <br> '''Future Members''' <br> (AR) [[Aerolineas Argentinas]] <br>2012<br> (GA) [[Garuda Indonesia]] <br>2012<br> (ME) [[Middle East Airlines]]<br>2012<br> (SV) [[Saudi Arabian Airlines]]<br>2012<br> (MF) [[Xiamen Airlines]]<br>2012<br> <br> '''Former Members''' <br> (CO) [[Continental Airlines]]<br> 2004–2009, joined Star Alliance 2009 <br> (CM) [[Copa Airlines]] <br>2007–2009, will join Star Alliance 2012 <br> (NW) [[Northwest Airlines|Northwest]]<br> 2004–2009, merged with Delta
<!-- KLM is still a single airline. It is a subsidiary of Air France-KLM based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. It operates domestic and worldwide scheduled passenger and cargo services to over 90 destinations. Its main base is Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. -->
|'''Members'''<br>(AA) [[American Airlines]] <br>founder <br>(BA) [[British Airways]] <br>founder <br>(CX) [[Cathay Pacific]] <br>founder <br>(AY) [[Finnair]] <br>1999 <br>(IB) [[Iberia Airlines|Iberia]] <br>1999 <br>(JL) [[Japan Airlines]] <br>2007 <br> (LA) [[LAN Airlines|LAN]] <br>2000 <br>(MA) [[Malév Hungarian Airlines|Malév]] <br> 2007 <br>(MX) [[Mexicana de Aviación|Mexicana]] <br> 2009 (ceased operations in 2010 but still a member) <br> (QF) [[Qantas]] <br>founder <br>(RJ) [[Royal Jordanian]] <br>2007 <br> (S7) [[S7 Airlines]] <br> 2010<br><br>'''Future Members''' <br>(AB) [[Air Berlin]] <br> 2012<br> (IT) [[Kingfisher Airlines]] <br>2012 <br>(MH) [[Malaysia Airlines]]<br>2012<br><br> '''Former Members''' <br> (EI) [[Aer Lingus]] <br>2000–2007, left voluntarily<br> (CP) [[Canadian Airlines]] <br>founder, 1999–2000, acquired by Air Canada <br>
|'''Americas''' <br> (FL) [[AirTran Airways]] <br> (AS) [[Alaska Airlines]] <br> (CU) [[Cubana]] <br> (F9) [[Frontier Airlines|Frontier]] <br> (G3) [[Gol Transportes Aéreos]] <br> (HA) [[Hawaiian Airlines]] <br> (B6) [[JetBlue]] <br> (WN) [[Southwest Airlines|Southwest]] <br> (VX) [[Virgin America]] <br> (WS) [[Westjet]] <br> (NK) [[Spirit Airlines]] <br><br> '''Europe / C.I.S''' <br> (EI) [[Aer Lingus]] <br> (VV) [[Aerosvit]] <br> (KM) [[Air Malta]] <br> (CY) [[Cyprus Airways]] <br> (FI) [[Icelandair]] <br> (JU) [[Jat Airways]] <br>(DY) [[Norwegian Air Shuttle]] <br>(DY) [[Olympic Air]] <br> (FV) [[Rossiya (airline)|Rossiya]] <br> (UN) [[Transaero]] <br>(DY) [[Uzbekistan Airways]] <br> (VS) [[Virgin Atlantic]] <br><br> '''Africa & Middle East''' <br> (AH) [[Air Algérie]] <br> (W3) [[Arik Air]] <br> (LY) [[El Al]] <br> (EK) [[Emirates (airline)|Emirates]] <br> (EY) [[Etihad Airways]]<br> (GF) [[Gulf Air]]<br> (IR) [[Iran Air]]<br> (QR) [[Qatar Airways]]<br> (AT) [[Royal Air Maroc]]<br> (TU) [[Tunisair]] <br><br> '''Asia''' <br> (AI) [[Air India]] <br> (BG) [[Biman Bangladesh Airlines]] <br> (BR) [[EVA Airways]] <br> (HU) [[Hainan Airlines]] <br> (9W) [[Jet Airways]] <br> (PK) [[Pakistan International Airlines]]<br> (PR) [[Philippine Airlines]]<br> (UL) [[SriLankan Airlines]]<br>
|-
! colspan=5 | Network Capacity
|-
|Within North America||23%||28%||15%||34%
|-
|Within South America||1%||2%||14%||83%
|-
|Within Europe||20%||16%||11%||53%
|-
|Within Middle East||2%||0%||3%||95%
|-
|Within Africa||23%||10%||4%||63%
|-
|Within Asia||35%||11%||9%||45%
|-
|Within Oceania||11%||0%||32%||57%
|-
|Between N. America and Europe||27%||34%||21%||18%
|-
|Between N. America and S. America||9%||29%||40%||22%
|-
|Between Europe and S. America||20%||28%||22%||30%
|-
|Between N. America and Asia||41%||29%||10%||20%
|-
|Between Europe and Asia||36%||22%||19%||23%
|-
! colspan=5 | Quality
|-
|Average Star Rating||3.29||3.19||3.73||2.87
|-
|5-Star Airlines <!-- 5 in total -->||40%||0%||20%||40%
|-
|4-Star Airlines <!-- 31 in total -->||29.03%||12.9%||12.9%||45.17%
|-
|3-Star Airlines <!-- 122 in total -->||13.93%||9.01%||4.91%||72.15%
|-
|2-Star Airlines||0%||0%||0%||100%
|-
|1-Star Airlines||0%||0%||0%||100%
|-
|0-Star Airlines||0%||0%||1,06%||98,94%
|}
|}


[[Image:AirlineMarketShareWithinRegion.gif|right|thumb|Airline Alliance Market Share By Network Capacity 2007]]
[[File:AirlineMarketShareWithinRegion.gif|right|thumb|Airline alliance market share by network capacity 2007]]


===Notes===
== See also ==
* [[Codeshare agreement]]
* In 2005, SkyTeam launched its Associate Program, whereby existing codeshare alliances (such as Continental and Copa) can be integrated into SkyTeam's marketing (shared [[loyalty program]]s, etc.) {{PDFlink|[http://www.skyteam.com/EN/aboutSkyteam/doc/associate.pdf]}}.
* [[Interlining]]
* Network strengths are continents or regions where listed airlines have one or more hubs or a major presence in several destinations.
* Network weaknesses are continents or regions with no hubs and few (if any) flights for any airline in the alliance.
* On June 19, 2008, Continental announced that it would be leaving SkyTeam on October 24, 2009 and began participating in Star Alliance on October 27, 2009 as part of a codesharing agreement with Star Alliance charter member [[United Airlines]] (Continental cut its codeshare ties to Delta and Northwest).<ref>[http://www.continental.com/web/en-Us/content/news/alliance.aspx Continental Airlines – Proud member of Star Alliance]. Continental.com (2009-10-27). Retrieved on 2011-03-04.</ref><ref>[http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/djf500/200901292153DOWJONESDJONLINE000963_FORTUNE5.htm ]{{dead link|date=March 2011}}</ref> United and Continental [[United Continental Holdings|merged in 2010]].
* As the table shows, the three alliances combined fly 60.8% of all passengers.


== Notes and references ==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist|30em}}


==External links==
==External links==
{{Wikivoyage|Airline alliances}}
* oneworld: http://www.oneworld.com
* SkyTeam: http://www.skyteam.com
* [http://www.oneworld.com Oneworld]
* Star Alliance: http://www.staralliance.com
* [https://www.skyteam.com/en SkyTeam]
* [http://www.staralliance.com Star Alliance]
* [http://www.valuealliance.com Value Alliance]
* {{cite news |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/analysis-the-20-year-history-of-global-airline-alli-437061/ |title= The 20-year history of global airline alliances |date= 15 May 2017 |work= Flightglobal |author= Graham Dunn}}


{{Airline alliances}}
{{Airline alliances}}
{{Commercial air travel}}
{{Commercial air travel}}
{{Portal bar|Aviation}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Airline Alliance}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Airline Alliance}}
[[Category:Airline alliances| ]]
[[Category:Airline alliances| ]]

<!--Other languages-->

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[[ca:Aliança d'aerolínies]]
[[da:Luftfartsalliance]]
[[de:Luftfahrtallianz]]
[[el:Αεροπορική συμμαχία]]
[[es:Alianza aérea]]
[[eo:Flugkompania alianco]]
[[fr:Alliance de compagnies aériennes]]
[[ko:항공 동맹]]
[[id:Aliansi maskapai penerbangan]]
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[[ms:Perikatan penerbangan]]
[[ja:航空連合]]
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[[pl:Sojusze linii lotniczych]]
[[pt:Aliança aérea]]
[[ru:Авиационный альянс]]
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[[fi:Lentoyhtiöallianssi]]
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[[zh:航空聯盟]]

Latest revision as of 16:18, 3 January 2025

An airline alliance is an aviation industry arrangement between two or more airlines agreeing to cooperate on a substantial level. Alliances may provide marketing branding to facilitate travelers making inter-airline codeshare connections within countries. This branding may involve unified aircraft liveries of member aircraft.[1]

In 2015, Star Alliance was the largest with 23% of total scheduled traffic in revenue passenger kilometres (RPKs)/revenue passenger miles (RPMs), followed by SkyTeam with 20.4% and Oneworld with 17.8%, leaving 38.8% for others.[2] In 2019, by number of passengers, Star Alliance was leading 762 million,[3] followed by SkyTeam (630 million)[4] and Oneworld (535 million).[5]

Rationale

[edit]

Benefits can consist of an extended network, often realised through codeshare agreements. Many alliances started as only codeshare networks. Cost reductions come from sharing operation facilities (e.g. catering or computer systems), operation staff (e.g. ground handling personnel, at check-in and boarding desks), investments and purchases (e.g. in order to negotiate extra volume discounts).[6] Traveler benefits can include lower prices due to lowered operational costs for a given route, different times to choose from, more destinations within easy reach, shorter travel times, more options of airport lounges shared with alliance members, fast track access on all alliance members if having frequent flyer status, faster mileage rewards by earning miles for a single account on several different carriers, round-the-world tickets, enabling travellers to fly over the world for a relatively low price.[7]

Airline alliances may also create disadvantages for the traveller, such as higher prices when competition is erased on a certain route or less frequent flights; for instance, if two airlines separately fly three and two times a day respectively on a shared route, their alliance might fly less than 5 (3+2) times a day on the same route. This might be especially true between hub cities for each airline. e.g., flights between Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (a Delta Air Lines fortress hub) and Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (a KLM fortress hub).[8][9][10]

History

[edit]

The first airline alliance was formed in the 1930s, when Panair do Brasil and its parent company Pan American World Airways agreed to exchange routes to Latin America. In 1990, the African Joint Air Services (AJAS) Accord between Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia led to the launch of Alliance Air in 1994, with South African Airways, Air Tanzania, Uganda Airlines and the governments of Uganda and Tanzania as shareholders.[citation needed]

The first large alliance began in 1989, when Northwest Airlines and KLM agreed to large-scale codesharing. In 1992, the Netherlands signed the first open skies agreement with the United States, in spite of objections from the European Union, which gave both countries unrestricted landing rights on the other's soil. Normally landing rights are granted for a fixed number of flights per week to a fixed destination. Each adjustment requires negotiations, often between governments rather than between the companies involved. In return, the United States granted antitrust immunity to the alliance between Northwest Airlines and KLM. Other alliances would struggle for years to overcome the transnational barriers and lack of antitrust immunity, and still do so.[citation needed]

On May 14, 1997, an agreement was announced forming the Star Alliance with five airlines on three continents: United Airlines, Scandinavian Airlines, Thai Airways International, Air Canada, and Lufthansa.[11][12] The alliance chose Young & Rubicam for advertising, with a budget of $25 million (€18 million).[13][11] which brought competing airlines to form Oneworld in 1999 and SkyTeam in 2000.[citation needed]

In 2010 Richard Branson, chairman of the Virgin Group, announced his intention to form a fourth alliance among Virgin branded airlines (Virgin Atlantic; Virgin America; and the Virgin Australia Holdings group of airlines).[14] Then in September 2011, Branson said that Virgin Atlantic would join one of the existing alliances;[15] this idea was repeated in October 2012.[16] In December 2012, Delta Air Lines purchased Singapore Airlines' 49% stake in Virgin Atlantic for £224 million.[17] Virgin America was absorbed into Alaska Airlines, which joined the Oneworld alliance in 2021.[18][19] Meanwhile, Virgin Atlantic joined SkyTeam in 2023.[20]

On February 14, 2013, it was announced that American Airlines and US Airways would merge, retaining the American Airlines name and would remain in the Oneworld alliance. US Airways' participation in Star Alliance lapsed. In 2012, in South America, LAN Airlines and TAM Airlines began their merger. In March 2014, with the merger complete, TAM left Star Alliance and became part of LAN in Oneworld.[citation needed]

On September 21, 2015, the Vanilla Alliance was formed between several airlines based in the Indian Ocean region, in order to improve air connectivity within the region. The founding members are Air Austral, Air Mauritius, Air Madagascar, Air Seychelles, and Int'Air Îles.[citation needed]

On January 18, 2016, the first alliance of low-cost carriers was formed, U-FLY Alliance. The founding members—HK Express, Lucky Air, Urumqi Air, and West Air—are all affiliated with HNA Group, although the alliance is also seeking airlines not within the group.[21]

On May 16, 2016, the world's largest alliance of low-cost carriers was formed, Value Alliance. The founding members were Cebu Pacific, Cebgo, Jeju Air, Nok Air, NokScoot, Scoot Airlines, Tigerair, Tigerair Australia, and Vanilla Air.[22]

Current alliances

[edit]

Star Alliance

[edit]
Three current members and one former member of Star Alliance at Tokyo Narita Airport Thai, United, Swiss and Scandinavian Airlines (SAS), the latter moving to SkyTeam in 2024
Boeing 787-9 of All Nippon Airways
Main article: Star Alliance

Star Alliance, founded in 1997, currently has 25 members:[23]

Greece Aegean Airlines, 2010
Canada Air Canada, founder
China Air China, 2007
India Air India, 2014
New Zealand Air New Zealand, 1999
Japan All Nippon Airways, 1999
South Korea Asiana Airlines, 2003
Austria Austrian Airlines, 2000
Colombia Avianca, 2012
Belgium Brussels Airlines, 2009
Panama Copa Airlines, 2012
Croatia Croatia Airlines, 2004
Egypt EgyptAir, 2008
Ethiopia Ethiopian Airlines, 2011
Taiwan EVA Air, 2013
Poland LOT Polish Airlines, 2003
Germany Lufthansa, founder
China Shenzhen Airlines, 2012
Singapore Singapore Airlines, 2000
South Africa South African Airways, 2006
Switzerland Swiss International Air Lines, 2006
Portugal TAP Air Portugal, 2005
Thailand Thai Airways International, founder
Turkey Turkish Airlines, 2008
United States United Airlines, founder

Future Members:
Italy ITA Airways, Lufthansa takeover

Former members:

Star Alliance Connecting Partners

[edit]

Star Alliance Intermodal Partnership

[edit]

Oneworld

[edit]
Royal Air Maroc Boeing 787-8
Main article: Oneworld

Oneworld, founded in 1999, currently has 13 members:[27]

United States Alaska Airlines, 2021
United States American Airlines, founder
United Kingdom British Airways, founder
Hong Kong Cathay Pacific, founder
Finland Finnair, 1999
Spain Iberia Airlines, 1999
Japan Japan Airlines, 2007
Malaysia Malaysia Airlines, 2013
Australia Qantas, founder
Qatar Qatar Airways, 2013
Morocco Royal Air Maroc, 2020
Jordan Royal Jordanian, 2007
Sri Lanka SriLankan Airlines, 2014


Former members:

Future members:

SkyTeam

[edit]
Boeing 777-300ER of Garuda Indonesia
Main article: SkyTeam

SkyTeam, founded in 2000, currently has 19 members:[30]

Argentina Aerolíneas Argentinas, 2012
Mexico Aeroméxico, founder
Spain Air Europa, 2007
France Air France, founder
Taiwan China Airlines, 2011
China China Eastern Airlines, 2011
United States Delta Air Lines, founder
Indonesia Garuda Indonesia, 2014
Italy ITA Airways, 2021
Kenya Kenya Airways, 2007
Netherlands KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, 2004
South Korea Korean Air, founder
Lebanon Middle East Airlines, 2012
Saudi Arabia Saudia, 2012
Denmark Norway Sweden Scandinavian Airlines, 2024
Romania TAROM, 2010
Vietnam Vietnam Airlines, 2010
United Kingdom Virgin Atlantic, 2023
China XiamenAir, 2012

Former members:

Vanilla Alliance

[edit]
Main article: Vanilla Alliance

Vanilla Alliance, founded in 2015, currently has 5 members:[31]

Réunion Air Austral, founder
Madagascar Air Madagascar, founder
Mauritius Air Mauritius, founder
Seychelles Air Seychelles, founder
Comoros Int'Air Îles, founder

U-FLY Alliance

[edit]
Main article: U-FLY Alliance

U-FLY Alliance, founded in 2016, currently has 4 members:[32]

South Korea Eastar Jet, 2016
China Lucky Air, founder
China Urumqi Air, founder
China West Air, founder

Former members:

Value Alliance

[edit]
Main article: Value Alliance

Value Alliance, founded in 2016, currently has 5 members:[33]

Philippines Cebu Pacific, founder
Philippines Cebgo, founder
South Korea Jeju Air, founder
Thailand Nok Air, founder
Singapore Scoot, founder

Former members:

Statistics

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Alliance Members Passengers
/year 		Countries
served 		Destination Fleet Employees Revenue
/year (US$) 		Flights
/day 		RPK[2]
Star Alliance[34] 26 642.1 Mn 195 1,360 5,000 432,603 179.05 Bn 19,000 1536 Bn 23%
SkyTeam[35] 19 665.4 Mn 175 1,062 3,937 481,691[36] 140.98 Bn[36] 17,343 1362 Bn 20.4%
Oneworld[37] 13 557.4 Mn 161 1,016 3,560 382,913 130.92 Bn 13,814 1189 Bn 17.8%
Value Alliance[38] 7 180 Mn 30 183 554 - - 400 107 Bn 1.6%
U-FLY Alliance 8 200 Mn 18 149 593 - - 420 40 Bn 0.6%
Vanilla Alliance 5 2.3 Mn 26 89 46 - - - -
Airline alliance market share by network capacity 2007

See also

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Notes and references

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  1. ^ Fernandez de la Torre, Pablo E. (1999). "Airline alliances : the airline perspective". DSpace@MIT. hdl:1721.1/68159. Retrieved April 15, 2014.
  2. ^ a b "Scheduled Passengers Carried". World Air Transport Statistics 60th Edition. IATA. Archived from the original on 2016-07-06. Retrieved 2016-07-11.
  3. ^ "backgrounder". Star Alliance. 18 Oct 2019. Archived from the original on 22 December 2019.
  4. ^ "Fact Sheet" (PDF). SkyTeam. 2019. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2019-08-29.
  5. ^ "20 years, 20 facts, oneworld". OneWorld. 2019-02-01. Archived from the original on 2019-11-30. Retrieved 2019-12-22.
  6. ^ Crail, Chauncey (2021-02-10). "What Is An Airline Alliance?". Forbes Advisor. Retrieved 2022-02-07.
  7. ^ Gaggero, Alberto A.; Bartolini, David (2012). "The Determinants of Airline Alliances". Journal of Transport Economics and Policy. 46 (3): 399–414. ISSN 0022-5258. JSTOR 24396319.
  8. ^ Flores-Fillol, Ricardo; Moner-Colonques, Rafael (2007). "Strategic Formation of Airline Alliances". Journal of Transport Economics and Policy. 41 (3): 427–449. ISSN 0022-5258. JSTOR 20054029.
  9. ^ Armantier, Olivier; Richard, Oliver (2008). "Domestic Airline Alliances and Consumer Welfare". The RAND Journal of Economics. 39 (3): 875–904. doi:10.1111/j.1756-2171.2008.00042.x. ISSN 0741-6261. JSTOR 25474400.
  10. ^ "Airline Alliance's Benefits and Drawbacks Explained". www.aerotime.aero. Archived from the original on 2022-02-07. Retrieved 2022-02-07.
  11. ^ a b Bryant, Adam (14 May 1997). "United and 4 Others to Detail Air Alliance Today". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 30 January 2013. Retrieved 16 October 2010.
  12. ^ Tagliabue, John (15 May 1997). "5 Airlines Extend Limits of Alliances". The New York Times. Retrieved 16 October 2010.
  13. ^ Meredith, Robyn (15 May 1997). "Airline Alliance Picks Y.& R." The New York Times. Retrieved 16 October 2010.
  14. ^ Perman, Stacy (2010-09-05). "Virgin's Richard Branson Circles His Wagons". Time. Archived from the original on 2 November 2010. Retrieved 2011-03-04.
  15. ^ Bruner, Jon (2011-09-14). "Virgin Atlantic Will Join an Alliance Soon, Says Richard Branson". Forbes.
  16. ^ Quinn, James (2012-10-26). "Virgin Atlantic to join global airline alliance, says Branson". Telegraph. Archived from the original on 2013-05-05.
  17. ^ "Delta and Virgin Atlantic To Form Strategic Alliance". ir.delta.com. Retrieved 2024-12-24.
  18. ^ "Virgin America flights become Alaska next April". Flightglobal.com. 2017-10-05. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
  19. ^ "Alaska Airlines Officially Joins oneworld". 2021-03-31. Retrieved July 5, 2021.
  20. ^ "Virgin Atlantic to join SkyTeam alliance today". corporate.virginatlantic.com. Retrieved 2024-12-24.
  21. ^ "HNA Group: four airlines form U-FLY Alliance, world's first LCC grouping, showing HNA consolidation". CAPA - Centre for Aviation. 22 January 2016. Retrieved 11 February 2016.
  22. ^ "Singapore Airlines’ Low-Cost Carriers, Others Start Alliance". Bloomberg. 16 May 2016. Retrieved 16 May 2016.
  23. ^ "Member airline". Star Alliance. June 2013. Archived from the original on 2013-03-04.
  24. ^ "Bmi Formally Leaves". Star Alliance. 2012-05-31. Archived from the original on 2012-10-16. Retrieved 2012-10-15.
  25. ^ "Star Alliance Intermodal Partnership". Star Alliance.
  26. ^ "Deutsche Bahn joins Star Alliance". Aviation24.be. 29 June 2022.
  27. ^ "Member Airlines". Oneworld.
  28. ^ "Aer Lingus leaving Oneworld". Oneworld.
  29. ^ "Oman Air to join Oneworld on June 30, 2025 - Executive Traveller". www.executivetraveller.com. 2024-11-20. Retrieved 2025-01-02.
  30. ^ "Facts and Figures". Amsterdam: SkyTeam. 5 March 2014. Archived from the original on 20 June 2011. Retrieved 9 July 2013.
  31. ^ "Vanilla Alliance agreements signed in Antananarivo". ch-aviation. Retrieved 2016-04-09.
  32. ^ "UFLY Alliance". www.uflyalliance.com. Archived from the original on August 25, 2018. Retrieved April 9, 2016.
  33. ^ "Value Alliance". www.valuealliance.com/. Retrieved 2016-05-16.
  34. ^ "Facts and Figures". Star Alliance. 2 July 2015. Archived from the original on 15 April 2016.
  35. ^ "Factsheet" (PDF). SkyTeam. Summer 2016. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2016-07-17.
  36. ^ a b "Factsheet" (PDF). SkyTeam. March 2015. Archived from the original on 2015-05-30.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  37. ^ "oneworld at a glance". Oneworld. July 2016.
  38. ^ "About". Value Alliance.
[edit]
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Airline alliances.
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