Russian airline S7 joins oneworld alliance

The oneworld alliance has added a 12th member to its ranks in the form of S7 Airlines, based out of Moscow. S7 expands the alliance’s reach to almost all major cities in Russia as well as flights to most of the ‘istan’ countries in central Asia and eastern Europe.

To promote the launch, members of S7’s Priority frequent flyer program get double mileage points for flying oneworld partner airlines, and vice versa.

Qantas flyers will be able to connect to S7 flights from Bangkok and Frankfurt. Currently seven of oneworld’s established airlines – British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Iberia, Japan Airlines, Malev Hungarian Airlines and Royal Jordanian – serve Moscow, plus St Petersburg and Ekaterinburg in Russia.

Willie Walsh, Chief Executive of British Airways, S7’s oneworld sponsor, said: “Our focus on quality means that we are particularly selective and demanding in the airlines we invite to join us.   We only consider carriers who match the quality of our existing members – in their approach to customer service, innovation, safety and security.  Today, oneworld has added another great airline, the best, we firmly believe, in Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States – S7.”

This has been a busy year for oneworld. In February Japan Airlines confirmed it would stay with the alliance after having discussions with rival SkyTeam. This year oneworld has also announced it will add Germany’s Air Berlin and India’s Kingfisher airlines to the network.