A Deep Dive into Airline Alliances: SkyTeam vs. Oneworld vs. Star Alliance

Airline alliances are continuing to expand with the introduction of new airlines, routes, and airports. Airline alliances are formal agreements between a group of airlines that allow them to cooperate on routes, share frequent flyer programs, and coordinate schedules. The three most recognizable alliances are SkyTeam, Oneworld, and Star Alliance. This article offers a comprehensive overview and analysis of each alliance. Highlighting their history, key programs, and loyalty systems that allow them to continue to function and grow each year. 

Key Cooperative Services:

As previously mentioned, an airline alliance is an agreement which allows airlines to provide cooperative services. These include codeshare flights, frequent flyer programs, and joint lounge access. 

Codeshare agreements:

• A codeshare agreement is a partnership between two airlines in which one airline sells seats on a flight operated by another. Air Canada operates a flight from Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ) to Newark Airport (EWR) in New Jersey under AC8876. However, United Airlines markets and sells seats on the flight under the code UA8664. One key benefit of a codeshare agreement for passengers is that they have a broader selection of flights on a given day. 

Frequent Flyer Programs:

• Many airlines have unique frequent flyer programs that reward credit card partners and loyalty customers with benefits such as free in-flight texting, lounge access, and upgrades. Air Canada has a frequent flyer program called Aeroplan. Aeroplan has over eight million active members worldwide, most of whom come from the agreement between Air Canada and TD Bank on Aeroplan points from credit card spending. Aeroplan members can redeem points collected on flights, hotels, and gift cards, making it an enticing program to participate in.

Joint Lounge Access:

• Airlines outside their main airport typically aim to share lounge space with airlines apart from their alliance. Lounge access allows the airline to maintain prestige for business and first-class passengers.

Star Alliance:

Star Alliance was founded in 1997 by five airlines: Air Canada, Lufthansa, United Airlines, SAS, and Thai Airways. As of 2025, Star Alliance is currently the largest airline alliance and has twenty-five member airlines reaching over 1,300 airports and 195 countries. Star Alliance’s most significant strength is its reach in Asia, Europe, and North America. United Airlines has the largest fleet in the world, serving over 370+ destinations. This reach from a North American airline allows all members to enjoy codeshares, expanding their passenger's reach and experience. Furthermore, Star Alliance ‘gold’ members, who are frequent flyers, have access to hundreds of lounges worldwide, priority boarding, and extra baggage allowance, ensuring that the alliance caters to and benefits each passenger. 

One significant downside of Star Alliance being the largest airline alliance is its inconsistent product quality. Singapore Airlines is known for having one of the strongest premium products in the airline industry; however, Lufthansa has been criticized for its outdated business-class product. This means that passengers booking through Singapore Airlines may be disappointed with the product they have paid for. 

Oneworld:

Established in 1999, Oneworld aimed to be known for its premium products and services. At its founding, it had five members: American Airlines, British Airways, Canadian Airlines, Cathay Pacific, and Qantas. Oneworld's commitment to serving the elite with innovative business, first-class seats, and catering has remained steadfast. Despite Latam's departure on May 1, 2020, Oneworld's current strength is its dominance in transpacific and Middle Eastern routes, with Qatar Airways and Qantas boasting large fleet sizes. The addition of Alaska Airlines has helped replace some of the capacity lost from LATAM Airlines Group's departure. 

Despite its transpacific dominance, Oneworld has several weaknesses that may prevent customers from using its members' services. Oneworld flies to fewer destinations than Star Alliance and SkyTeam, meaning customers may be forced to use their competitors to reach their destinations. Furthermore, Oneworld has a limited presence in southern parts of Africa, which leaves hundreds of thousands of potential customers to their competition.

SkyTeam:

Established in 2000, SkyTeam aimed to dominate the transatlantic market. Their four founding members, Delta Airlines, Korean Air, Air France, and Aeromexico all work together to ensure that passengers flying transatlantic can access Asia, Africa, and South America too. SkyTeam offers the SkyPriority Program as a loyalty program for customers. This unified program allows for marketing that exemplifies a consistent service regardless of the airline a customer may fly on. Currently SkyTeam has 18 active members including KLM, Saudi Airlines and Vietnam Airlines. SkyTeam offers the second most destinations just behind Star Alliance, and provides a reliable service that customers worldwide benefit from. 

Unlike Oneworld, SkyTeam has a less prestigious feel to it outside of Air France and Saudi Airlines. This results in premium customers using other alliance services when flying. SkyTeam is dominant in North and South America, but similar to Oneworld do not have a strong presence in parts of southern Africa.

Strategic Moves:

Alaska Airlines joined Oneworld in 2021 and helped bolster the reach the alliance has in the United States. Despite competing directly against American Airlines on many routes in the United States, they offer additional frequency and destinations through their fleet of 325 planes. The addition of Alaska Airlines helped compensate for LATAM Airlines Groups’ departure from the alliance in 2021, which left a massive dent in the seat availability to Central, and South America.

SkyTeam had a massive loss when China Southern Airlines left the alliance in 2019. China Southern operates a fleet above 830 aircrafts and serves both short, medium, and long-haul flights around the world. While SkyTeam suffered during the fourth quarter of 2019, and all of 2020, they eventually managed to reenter the Chinese market through both Saudi and Vietnam Airlines.

Final Thoughts:

Airline alliances have played a pivotal role in transforming the airline industry. Today, passengers can reach almost any destination worldwide in under 24 hours due to the impressive coordinated system of airlines working together. Airline alliances have allowed for more affordable and efficient global travel that benefits the average passenger every time they fly. Point and loyalty reward systems are now some of the most efficient ways for individuals and families to travel together. Oneworld. SkyTeam and Star Alliance have all played a massive role in advancing the products airlines offer customers as they compete directly against each other to earn your loyalty and hard-earned money.