Airline alliance
Template:Short description Template:Use mdy dates 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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
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 {{#expr:100-23-20.4-17.8}}% for others.<ref name=WATS2016>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In 2019, by number of passengers, Star Alliance was leading 762 million,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> followed by SkyTeam (630 million)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and Oneworld (535 million).<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
RationaleEdit
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).<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</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 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.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
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>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
HistoryEdit
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.Template: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.Template: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.<ref name="A new alliance" /><ref name="5 Airlines">Template:Cite news</ref> The alliance chose Young & Rubicam for advertising, with a budget of $25 million (€18 million).<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="A new alliance">Template:Cite news</ref> which brought competing airlines to form Oneworld in 1999 and SkyTeam in 2000.Template: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).<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> Then in September 2011, Branson said that Virgin Atlantic would join one of the existing alliances;<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> this idea was repeated in October 2012.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In December 2012, Delta Air Lines purchased Singapore Airlines' 49% stake in Virgin Atlantic for £224 million.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Virgin America was absorbed into Alaska Airlines by 2018, which joined the Oneworld alliance in 2021.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Meanwhile, Virgin Atlantic joined SkyTeam in 2023.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</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.Template: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 were Air Austral, Air Mauritius, Air Madagascar, Air Seychelles, and Int'Air Îles.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
U-FLY Alliance, the first alliance of low-cost carriers (LCCs), was formed in January 2016, comprising HK Express, Lucky Air, Urumqi Air, and West Air (all affiliated with HNA Group).<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In May 2016, the world's largest alliance of LCCs was formed, Value Alliance, including founding members Cebu Pacific, Cebgo, Jeju Air, Nok Air, NokScoot, Scoot Airlines, Tigerair, Tigerair Australia, and Vanilla Air.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Neither alliance remains active as of 2025.
Current alliancesEdit
Star AllianceEdit
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{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} Star Alliance, founded in 1997, currently has 25 members:<ref name=":0">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flagicon Aegean Airlines, 2010
Template:Flagicon Air Canada, founder
Template:Flagicon Air China, 2007
Template:Flagicon Air India, 2014
Template:Flagicon Air New Zealand, 1999
Template:Flagicon All Nippon Airways, 1999
Template:Flagicon Asiana Airlines, 2003
Template:Flagicon Austrian Airlines, 2000
Template:Flagicon Avianca, 2012
Template:Flagicon Brussels Airlines, 2009
Template:Flagicon Copa Airlines, 2012
Template:Flagicon Croatia Airlines, 2004
Template:Flagicon EgyptAir, 2008
Template:Flagicon Ethiopian Airlines, 2011
Template:Flagicon EVA Air, 2013
Template:Flagicon LOT Polish Airlines, 2003
Template:Flagicon Lufthansa, founder
Template:Flagicon Shenzhen Airlines, 2012
Template:Flagicon Singapore Airlines, 2000
Template:Flagicon South African Airways, 2006
Template:Flagicon Swiss International Air Lines, 2006
Template:Flagicon TAP Air Portugal, 2005
Template:Flagicon Thai Airways International, founder
Template:Flagicon Turkish Airlines, 2008
Template:Flagicon United Airlines, founder
Future members:
Template:Flagicon ITA Airways, Lufthansa takeover, 2026
Former members: Template:Columns-list
Star Alliance Connecting PartnersEdit
- Template:Flagicon Juneyao Air, 2017
Star Alliance Intermodal PartnershipEdit
- Template:Flagicon Deutsche Bahn, 2022<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
OneworldEdit
{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} Oneworld, founded in 1999, currently has 14 members:<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flagicon Alaska Airlines, 2021
Template:Flagicon American Airlines, founder
Template:Flagicon British Airways, founder
Template:Flagicon Cathay Pacific, founder
Template:Flagicon Fiji Airways, 2025
Template:Flagicon Finnair, 1999
Template:Flagicon Iberia Airlines, 1999
Template:Flagicon Japan Airlines, 2007
Template:Flagicon Malaysia Airlines, 2013
Template:Flagicon Qantas, founder
Template:Flagicon Qatar Airways, 2013
Template:Flagicon Royal Air Maroc, 2020
Template:Flagicon Royal Jordanian, 2007
Template:Flagicon SriLankan Airlines, 2014
Former members:
Template:Columns-list Future members:
- Template:Flagicon Oman Air, joining on 30 June 2025<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Template:Flagicon Hawaiian Airlines, joining in 2026
SkyTeamEdit
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{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} SkyTeam, founded in 2000, currently has 18 members:<ref name=":1">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flagicon Aerolíneas Argentinas, 2012
Template:Flagicon Aeroméxico, founder
Template:Flagicon Air Europa, 2007
Template:Flagicon Air France, founder
Template:Flagicon China Airlines, 2011
Template:Flagicon China Eastern Airlines, 2011
Template:Flagicon Delta Air Lines, founder
Template:Flagicon Garuda Indonesia, 2014
Template:Flagicon Kenya Airways, 2007
Template:Flagicon KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, 2004
Template:Flagicon Korean Air, founder
Template:Flagicon Middle East Airlines, 2012
Template:Flagicon Saudia, 2012
Template:Flagicon Template:Flagicon Template:Flagicon Scandinavian Airlines, 2024
Template:Flagicon TAROM, 2010
Template:Flagicon Vietnam Airlines, 2010
Template:Flagicon Virgin Atlantic, 2023
Template:Flagicon XiamenAir, 2012
Former members: Template:Columns-list
Vanilla AllianceEdit
{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}}
Vanilla Alliance, founded in 2015, currently has 4 members:<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Template:Flagicon Air Austral, founder
Template:Flagicon Air Madagascar, founder
Template:Flagicon Air Mauritius, founder
Template:Flagicon Air Seychelles, founder
Former members:
Template:Flagicon Int'Air Îles, founder, 2015–2024, defunct
Former alliancesEdit
U-FLY AllianceEdit
{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} U-FLY Alliance, founded in 2016, had 4 members:<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flagicon Eastar Jet, 2016
Template:Flagicon Lucky Air, founder
Template:Flagicon Urumqi Air, founder
Template:Flagicon West Air, founder
Former members:
- Template:Flagicon HK Express, 2016–2019, founder, acquired by Cathay Pacific in 2019.
Value AllianceEdit
{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} Value Alliance, founded in 2016, had 5 members:<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flagicon Cebu Pacific, founder
Template:Flagicon Cebgo, founder
Template:Flagicon Jeju Air, founder
Template:Flagicon Nok Air, founder
Template:Flagicon Scoot, founder
Former members:
- Template:Flagicon NokScoot, 2016–2020, defunct
- Template:Flagicon Tigerair, 2016–2017, merged with Scoot
- Template:Flagicon Tigerair Australia, 2016–2018, founder
- Template:Flagicon Vanilla Air, 2016–2018, founder, merged with Peach Aviation
StatisticsEdit
| Alliance | Members | Passengers /year |
Countries served |
Destination | Fleet | Employees | Revenue /year (US$) |
Flights /day |
RPK<ref name=WATS2016/> | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Star Alliance<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation | CitationClass=web
}}</ref> |
26 | 642.1 Mn | 195 | 1,360 | 5,000 | 432,603 | 179.05 Bn | 19,000 | {{#expr:6678.694*0.23round0}} Bn | 23% | |
| SkyTeam<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation | CitationClass=web
}}</ref> |
19 | 665.4 Mn | 175 | 1,062 | 3,937 | citation | CitationClass=web
}}</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/> | 17,343 | {{#expr:6678.694*0.204round0}} Bn | 20.4% |
| Oneworld<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation | CitationClass=web
}}Template:Dead link</ref> |
13 | 557.4 Mn | 161 | 1,016 | 3,560 | 382,913 | 130.92 Bn | 13,814 | {{#expr:6678.694*0.178round0}} Bn | 17.8% | |
| Value Alliance<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation | CitationClass=web
}}Template:Dead link</ref> (defunct) |
7 | 180 Mn | 30 | 183 | 554 | - | - | 400 | {{#expr:6678.694*0.016round0}} Bn | 1.6% | |
| U-FLY Alliance (defunct) | 8 | 200 Mn | 18 | 149 | 593 | - | - | 420 | {{#expr:6678.694*0.006round0}} Bn | 0.6% | ||
| Vanilla Alliance | 5 | 2.3 Mn | 26 | 89 | 46 | - | - | - | - | |||
See alsoEdit
Notes and referencesEdit
External linksEdit
Template:Airline alliances Template:Commercial air travel Template:Portal bar