Malaysia Airlines becomes part of oneworld® at midnight Kuala Lumpur time tonight, adding one of Asia’s airlines to the global airline alliance. Malaysia Airlines connects new 16 destinations and one country – Brunei – to the oneworld network.

Its addition expands oneworld’s global coverage to 842 destinations in 156 countries, served by some 9,000 departures a day operated by a combined fleet of some 2,500 aircraft, carrying nearly 340 million passengers a year, with annual revenues of US$ 110 billion.  Add oneworld’s other members elect – Qatar Airways and Sri Lankan Airlines – and the alliance network will reach 860 destinations in 159 countries.

Qantas has been supporting Malaysia Airlines through its alliance implementation project, as its oneworld sponsor airline, with backing from the central oneworld team.

Malaysia Airlines’ addition to oneworld completes what has been one of the biggest projects in the airline’s history, with working groups covering some 20 streams of activity, bringing its various internal processes and procedures into line with the alliance’s requirements, and running extensive employee training and communications programmes.

Since accepting its invitation to join the alliance in June 2011, Malaysia Airlines has expanded its code-sharing relationships to four established oneworld partners – Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Japan Airlines and Royal Jordanian.

Also from midnight tonight, the 125 million members of the established oneworld airlines’ frequent flyer programmes will be able to earn and redeem awards and tier status points and receive all other oneworld benefits when flying Malaysia Airlines.

To celebrate the addition of the new recruit to oneworld, members of established member airlines’ loyalty programmes- including the members of Malaysia’s Enrich loyalty program- will receive double the normal mileage awards when flying on Malaysia Airlines between 15 February 2013 and 15 April 2013 on tickets bought from today to 15 April 2013.

From midnight tonight, frequent flyer cardholders with oneworld "Emerald" status will be entitled to:

· An extra checked baggage allowance, above the standard limit for the cabin class in which they are traveling – either one additional item where the piece concept applies, or an extra 20 kg (44 lbs) where the weight concept applies – when they fly on any oneworld member airline.

· Use fast track lanes through security when flying from select key airports worldwide on select oneworld member airlines.

Ahmad Jauhari Yahya Malaysia Airlines Group chief executive said: “Becoming a member of oneworld is one of the most significant landmarks in Malaysia Airlines’ history.  It will strengthen our competitive position considerably, enabling us to offer our customers a truly global network together with our partners who include some of the best and biggest airlines in the world.  At the same time, it will enable us to benefit from all the financial benefits that come from being part of a global alliance, through additional passenger feed and the learning from best practices that it affords.  As an airline that has always be proud to offer the highest quality Malaysian Hospitality, we are very pleased and honoured to be lining up as part of what is clearly the world’s top quality airline grouping.”

Bruce Ashby, oneworld's chief executive added:  “oneworld aims to be the first choice alliance for the world’s frequent international travellers – with an unrivalled collection of quality carriers, delivering unmatched benefits to customers and to member airlines alike.  That remains our focus today, as the alliance adds another great airline.  Malaysia Airlines strengthens the alliance’s offering in the growing economic powerhouse of South East Asia, just as we expect oneworld to strengthen Malaysia Airlines’ competitive and financial positions.”

 

Amer Hadidi Royal Jordanian's  president and CEO commented: “We are pleased that one of the most robust networks in Asia has become our partner in oneworld today. The addition of Malaysia Airlines will make travel beyond Malaysia much easier for the RJ passengers, particularly that RJ has been code sharing with the new member. As Royal Jordanian operates three weekly flights to Kuala Lumpur via Bangkok, the code share with Malaysia Airlines is bound to ensure daily operation between Amman and Kuala Lumpur through Bangkok on Malaysia Airlines flights operated on the other four days of the week.”