US Airways and Brazil’s TAM Airlines officially joined the oneworld alliance today, marking the largest single-day expansion in oneworld’s 15-year history.
The ceremony added nearly 100 destinations to oneworld’s global network after both carriers left Star Alliance on March 30. TAM brings roughly 45 new destinations across Brazil, centered on its São Paulo (GRU) hub, while US Airways adds about 50 locations including major hubs in Charlotte (CLT), Philadelphia (PHL), Phoenix (PHX) and Washington, D.C. Reagan National (DCA).
As of today, members of the combined frequent-flyer programs—more than 140 million travelers—can earn and redeem miles or points when flying with TAM Airlines and US Airways.
TAM currently serves 61 destinations in 16 countries across Latin America, the United States and Europe, operating a fleet of 172 aircraft. In June 2012, TAM merged with fellow oneworld member LAN Airlines to form LATAM Airlines Group.
At TAM’s joining event at Congonhas Airport in São Paulo, Bruce Ashby, CEO of oneworld, described the addition as “a significant landmark,” noting TAM’s status as a leading carrier in Latin America’s largest economy.
Marco Bologna, CEO of TAM Airlines, said, “A global alliance is truly successful when our passengers can travel beyond national boundaries. These partnerships will help us enhance our existing network and services.”
American Airlines CEO Doug Parker, speaking at the US Airways ceremony, called US Airways’ entry into oneworld a “crucial step” toward fully integrating American and US Airways as one carrier. He also emphasized Brazil’s importance to American’s international business and highlighted codeshare cooperation between American and LATAM across some 150 destinations.
Willie Walsh, CEO of International Airlines Group, the parent company of British Airways and Iberia, asked attendees to observe a moment of remembrance for those aboard Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370. Malaysia Airlines, which joined oneworld in February, did not send executives to today’s events as the airline remains focused on search efforts.
Oneworld plans to expand further with SriLankan Airlines joining in May, a move that will broaden the alliance’s coverage to approximately 1,000 cities in 150 countries and reinforce its position as one of the industry’s leading global airline alliances.