Could a once-niche Canadian airline be the next member of the unmundo alliance?
Porter Airlines appears to be mulling over the idea.
Over the past two years, the Toronto-based airline has established partnerships with both Alaska Airlines and, more recently, american airlines — the two US-based Oneworld operators.
These links allow Atmos Rewards and American Airlines Advantage members redeem their points and miles on certain Porter flights.
Porter also has partnerships with a number of Oneworld’s international airlines, including British Airways, Qatar Airways, Japan Airlines and new Oneworld member Fiji Airways.
It is also rapidly increasing its route map and aircraft fleet.
When asked this week whether the airline would consider taking the proverbial step and joining the major global alliance, Porter’s top executive sounded…intrigued, to say the least.
“We are forming relationships with many Oneworld airlines right now,” said Kevin Jackson, president of Porter Airlines, during an appearance at the Skift Aviation Forum in Texas on December 3. “The partners that are available to use are clearly Oneworld. Oneworld has no presence in Canada, and Porter would give a very obvious answer if we choose to join.”
According to Jackson, Canada’s flag carrier, Air Canada, is a member of the Star Alliance (which includes United Airlines in the US). That means Porter would likely opt for one of the other two major global alliances, if he decides to join either.
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And at this point, Jackson said the airline still doesn’t know if it’s interested.
What Porter Joining Oneworld Would Mean for American Travelers
If Porter decided to join Oneworld, it would likely mean many more opportunities for Atmos Rewards and American Airlines AAdvantage members to earn and redeem points and miles on Porter-operated flights and reciprocal loyalty benefits for elite travelers.
It could also open up new and unique connecting itineraries for long-haul travel: imagine flying Porter from the US to Toronto and then connecting with a British Airways flight to London, all booked with Avios that you transferred from, say, your American Express Membership Rewards account.
Far from a done deal
In any case, that is a long way off.
Joining an airline alliance is a long and complex process and requires the support of member airlines.
Porter remains a smaller airline than the big Oneworld players, with a fleet of aircraft no larger than regional-sized jets flying on a network focused on North America.
At the same time, the airline offers extensive reach in Canada, flying to popular destinations such as Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and New Brunswick, and premium style on its fleet of new Embraer 195-E2 aircraft.
It is also on a rapid growth trajectory in the U.S. Despite travel demand challenges between the U.S. and Canada, Porter’s total seats to the U.S. rose nearly 24% from last year, according to data from aviation analytics firm Cirium.
Add in the airline’s existing relationships with several of the major Oneworld airlines and it will be interesting to see if Porter could be the next member of the alliance, perhaps following in the footsteps of Recent additions Fiji Airways and Oman Air.
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