DUBAI -- Fiji Airways is becoming a full member of the Oneworld alliance.
The South Pacific airline, which serves 26 destinations in 15 countries and territories, has been a member of the Oneworld Connect affiliate program since 2018. The integration work will now begin for Fiji and is expected to be completed within a year.
"Attaining full membership has always been our goal," Fiji CEO Andre Viljoen said during a press conference at the IATA annual general meeting in Dubai on Monday.
As a Oneworld Connect member, Fiji Airways flyers who have Oneworld Emerald, Sapphire or Ruby status already receive priority check-in, while those with Emerald and Sapphire status also receive priority boarding and access to Fiji's lounge in its hub airport of Nadi.
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In addition, as a Oneworld affiliate the carrier participates in loyalty program partnerships and interline check-in and baggage partnerships with its four Oneworld sponsor airlines: American, Qantas, British Airways and Cathay Pacific.
As a full member of the alliance, those benefits will be extended to elite members of all Oneworld airlines.
The alliance, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary, currently has 13 full members. Fiji Airways will be the 15th full Oneworld member when the integration process is completed. Oman Air is scheduled to join this year as the 14th full member.
Separately, Fiji Airways maintains codeshare partnerships with Oneworld members American and Alaska.