Qantas stands to gain a new global partner airline as Aer Lingus rejoins Oneworld following BA's take-over of the Irish national carrier.
The £1bn (A$2bn) buy-out by British Airways' parent International Airlines Group has received the approval of the Irish parliament as well as Ryanair, which holds a 29.8% stake in Aer Lingus.
Aer Lingus would rejoin Oneworld under the BA take-over
Fergal Goodman
Fergal Goodman
IAG chief Willie Walsh has confirmed that under his watch Aer Lingus would rejoin the Oneworld airline alliance.
Aer Lingus signed up to Oneworld airline alliance in 1999 but left in 2007 as part of a strategic shift away from the premium market to become a low-cost airline.
The airline has since reversed course, to the extent that it's signed up for nine Airbus A350s which from 2018 will fly with 42 business class and 223 economy class seats.
Earlier this year Aer Lingus also upgraded the business class experience for its flights between Dublin and the USA.
The seats convert into a fully flat bed and offer direct aisle access to most passengers.
There's also AC and USB power outlets at each seat, free wi-fi and an improved meal service with matching wines.
For more on the new seats and service, take the virtual tour below:
Qantas currently allows its frequent flyer members to earn points (but not status credits) on Aer Lingus flights with an EI flight number.
Ironically, Qantas CEO Alan Joyce began his career at Aer Lingus working in areas including research, fleet and network planning and IT.
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David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
21 Apr 2012
Total posts 3006
Thanks for the update David!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
18 May 2011
Total posts 233
The prodigal son returns!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
04 Mar 2014
Total posts 204
hopefully earning rates will be more akin to IB than BA
Qantas Qantas Frequent Flyer
12 May 2015
Total posts 1
I'm goung to LAX at the end of the year, how do you join Oneworld alliance? Thx
12 Dec 2012
Total posts 1029
Airlines join the alliance, travellers don't.
Travellers join the frequeant flyer program of one of the member airlines.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
07 Feb 2015
Total posts 150
Or you can buy/start up your own airline and apply to join Oneworld......hmmm......just a thought LOL! Happy Friday!
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
14 Jan 2014
Total posts 340
LAUGH... Here is that saucer of milk you ordered sir
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
07 Feb 2015
Total posts 150
Any news on when they will offically join OW? I've got some EI flights in Sep and was hoping to get SCs to my QFF.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
31 Aug 2012
Total posts 213
It is proposed that no SCs will be earned on EI flights, just a measly number of miles.
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
14 Jan 2014
Total posts 340
No, that's the current system. Things should change once EI have rejoined the fold. Hence jianga's question about joining date.
12 Dec 2012
Total posts 1029
When EI was part of oneworld before, they earnt QFF SCs. When EI left the alliance, QF chose to keep a level of partnership, just below that required of oneworld members. So EI became a QF partner on the same level at LY, AS or 9W.
Once EI again joins oneworld, they will be subject to the oneworld agreement again and thus SC will be earnt.
QFF
19 Sep 2013
Total posts 206
Have recently booked some EI flights and the online bookings include an area to enter your QFF number. So I presume that SCs would automatically be added when their OW affiliation restarts. As a side issue, it's cheaper to fly to the U.S. And Canada out of Dublin that from the UK, even though the flights go through UK or Europe.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
31 Aug 2012
Total posts 213
If you are referring to the taxes out of LHR, then yes, they are the highest in the world for long-haul flights. On the other hand, the taxes for short-haul in Europe ( LHR-DUB for example) are not unreasonable. Note that the hefty taxes apply to OUTWARD flights from LHR (and other British airports), not arrivals. FYI, Paris-CDG is almost as expensive as British departures.
American Airlines - AAdvantage
13 Jul 2015
Total posts 276
"Ironically, Qantas CEO Alan Joyce began his career at Aer Lingus"
I think you mean coincidentally, not ironically!
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