American Airlines will soon have a new partner in the South Pacific.
Over the weekend, the Oneworld alliance announced that Philippine Airlines will soon become its newest member.
The move will make the Manila-based airline a full alliance partner of American and more than a dozen other global airlines, including British Airways, Iberia, Qatar, Qantas and Japan Airlines.
The news that Philippine Airlines will join Oneworld came through a Memorandum of Understanding signed on Saturday at the general meeting of the International Air Transport Association in Brazil.
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A new partner for American, Alaska and others
What will this change mean for frequent travelers?
In the future, you’ll be able to redeem your AAdvantage miles on a Philippine Airlines flight to Manila (or even anywhere else in Asia). You can also use your AAdvantage elite status in-flight benefits, from lounge access, priority boarding and free luggage.
The same would apply to travelers with a booking of Avios, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles or award currency from any other Oneworld airline.
Oneworld elite members typically receive reciprocal loyalty benefits when they fly with any alliance airline, as long as they book their flight using the loyalty number of the airline they have status with.
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Alaska and Hawaii to deepen PAL partnership
American isn’t the only U.S. airline to gain this new alliance partner.
Here in the US, Oneworld member Alaska Airlines already had a more limited partnership with Philippine Airlines, allowing travelers to earn Atmos Rewards points on PAL flights.
But that bond will deepen once the airline becomes a member of Oneworld.
What PAL at Oneworld means for travelers
From its base at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) in Manila, Philippine Airlines currently serves five airports in the US:
- John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
- San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
- Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
- Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) in Honolulu
With the arrival of PAL to Oneworld, you will be able to use your favorite Oneworld award currency to fly directly to Manila or, for example, fly with Hawaiian Airlines to Honolulu and then connect to the Philippines.
You can also use your AAdvantage miles to fly with PAL to Manila and then connect to one of the many destinations PAL serves in Asia.
And again, if you have status with American (or Alaska…or BA), you’ll get some of those elite benefits at PAL.
Oneworld expands
Philippine Airlines will be Oneworld’s 16th airline (and 17th airline brand, including Alaska and the recently acquired Hawaiian).
Other recent entrants to Oneworld include Oman Air and Fiji Airways.
In a statement, Philippine Airlines called this move a “defining and transformative moment” for the airline.
American, for its part, touted the airline’s arrival at Oneworld as a boost to its presence as a partner in the Pacific.
“Philippine Airlines’ entry into Oneworld supports our long-term strategic growth and strengthens our connectivity in key markets in the Asia Pacific region,” said US CEO Robert Isom. “The airline has a proud heritage and will play a vital role in our Southeast Asia network.”
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