Oman Air will join the oneworld Alliance, strengthening the leading position of the premier airline alliance in the Middle East.
Oman Air, based in Muscat, was elected as a oneworld member designate in Doha by the oneworld Governing Board, which is comprised of the CEOs of all oneworld member airlines. Qatar Airways, a oneworld member, will sponsor Oman Air’s entry into the alliance, providing guidance and support as the airline integrates.
Oman Air is anticipated to join oneworld in 2024, at which point it will offer the full array of oneworld benefits to customers travelling on its flights. Members of Oman Air’s Sindbad frequent flyer programme will be able to earn and redeem miles on all oneworld member airlines, with elite members receiving additional benefits such as lounge access when flying with other oneworld members.
Oman Air’s entry into oneworld will increase the number of flights and destinations available to customers planning global travel across the alliance’s members, making oneworld the only global airline alliance with three Middle Eastern members following Qatar Airways and Royal Jordanian. The addition of Oman Air to the oneworld network will bring new destinations, including Duqm and Khasab in Oman and Chittagong in Bangladesh (Bangladesh). Additionally, oneworld Emerald, oneworld Sapphire, and premium cabin passengers will have access to three Oman Air lounges in Muscat, Salalah, and Bangkok.
Oman Air Signing Ceremony
Oman Air, founded in 1993, is the national airline of the Sultanate of Oman. From its origins as a domestic carrier, it has evolved into an international airline serving 41 destinations in over 20 territories. It operates more than 40 aircraft, including Boeing 737s, Boeing 787s, and Airbus A330s. On long-haul flights, the two- or three-class cabins of Oman Air’s aircraft feature First Class Private Suites. The airline has received numerous awards, including the APEX Passenger Choice Award for Best Seat Comfort in the Middle East, for its exceptional in-flight hospitality.
Oman Air serves five hubs of oneworld member airlines – Amman, Colombo, Doha, Kuala Lumpur, and London Heathrow – and already codeshares with four of them: Malaysia Airlines, Qatar Airways, Royal Jordanian, and SriLankan Airlines. Joining oneworld will open the door to additional codeshare opportunities, thereby enhancing the network’s global connectivity.
As a result of joining oneworld, Oman Air will become the alliance’s third new member in the past five years, marking another milestone in the alliance’s rapid expansion. In April 2020, Royal Air Maroc joined the alliance, becoming oneworld’s first full African member. The addition of Alaska Airlines in March 2021 made oneworld the only global airline alliance with two U.S.-based members.
His Excellency Akbar Al Baker, oneworld Governing Board Chairman and Qatar Airways Group Executive, stated
“Today marks a new milestone in oneworld, as our friends at Oman Air become a member elect of our award-winning alliance. Passengers of Oman Air will be offered a seamless travel journey, connecting them to more than 900 destinations across 170 countries. As the Chairman of oneworld, we look forward to welcoming Oman Air into our alliance as they will bring great benefits, allowing passengers to discover not just a new member with an excellent reputation, but a beautiful country.”
Rob Gurney, CEO of oneworld said:
“We are delighted that Oman Air has chosen oneworld as its global airline alliance partner. With its network in Muscat and award-winning customer service, Oman Air will reinforce our position as the premier airline alliance for global travellers. As the global travel industry continues to recover from the pandemic, the significant growth of oneworld in recent years demonstrates how important alliances and partnerships will continue to be.”
Eng Abdulaziz Al Raisi, CEO of Oman Air, stated:
Oman Air’s admittance into oneworld represents a defining moment in our journey to provide passengers with greater travel options through our developing partnerships and alliances. We’re delighted to be joining the world’s foremost airline alliance at a time when demand for travel is on the rise. We look forward to welcoming oneworld members onboard Oman Air to experience the height of Omani hospitality and all that the Sultanate of Oman has to offer in terms of history, culture and natural beauty.
World Travel Awards voters voted Oman Air “World’s Leading Airline – Customer Experience 2021.”
