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Airline Alliances

There are 3 major airline alliances, each made up of different carriers which determines what routes and options are available for their respective Round the World airfares.

Star Alliance

Star Alliance were the original global airline alliance forming in 1997. The Star Alliance network has more than 16,000 daily flights to over 900 destinations in 159 countries.

Member Airlines

• Air Canada
• Air China
• Air New Zealand
• Asiana Airlines
• Austrian
• bmi
• LOT Polish Airlines
• Lufthansa
• Scandinavian Airlines
• Shanghai Airlines
• Singapore Airlines
• South African Airways
• Spanair
• SWISS
• Tap Portugal
• THAI
• Turkish Airlines
• United
• US Airways

Regional Members

• Adria Airways
• Blue1
• Croatia Airlines

This broad array of airlines means that Star Alliance have some unbeatable routes. Particularly for travel to/within South East Asia, Eastern Europe, Scandinavia, North and South Africa, the US and Canada. Their major downfall is their lack of representation within South America after Varig pulled out once they were forced into administration. Star Alliance have recently increased their airfares by 25-30% due to the devaluation of the Australian dollar.

OneWorld

OneWorld is a worldwide airline alliance with ten of the world's biggest and most awarded airlines. OneWorld have won the world's best airline award at the World Travel awards for 6 years running, mainly due to their high standard across the board.

OneWorld offer flights to more than 675 destinations across the globe with in excess of 500 airport departure lounges such as Qantas Club. Their frequent flyer programs are among the most common, despite being less flexible and transparent than Star Aliance, and they offer some of the most competitive fares on the market with a current 10% off sale to commerate their 10th anniversay.

Member Airlines

• American Airlines
• British Airways
• Cathay Pacific
• FinnAir
• Iberia
• Japan Airlines
• LAN Airlines
• Malev
• Qantas
• Royal Jordanian

Mexicana airlines are set to become a member over the next 12-18 months.

Unique Fares

OneWorld are also known for offering continent based airfares which are incredible value and aren't capped by distance such as all other round the world airfares.

SkyTeam

SkyTeam are a prodominantly Northern Hemisphere based airline alliance. They have 11 member airlines and 3 associate members that fly to over 900 destinations. Due to limited flights from the US to Australia they, to this date, have only been viable if flying via Guam to Cairns. Now, Delta Airlines are planning to fly Los Angeles - Sydney which opens up the Skyteam round the world to something that is finally plausible for a small number of travellers. This is still limited because out of Australia the first flight must be on Korean Airlines via Seoul, China Southern to Guangzhou, China or Continental Airlines to Guam and then Japan.

Member Airlines

• Aeroflot
• Aero Mexico
• Air France
• KLM
• Aliltalia
• China Southern
• Continental Airlines
• Czech Airlines
• Delta
• Korean Airlines
• NWA

Associate Members

• Air Europe
• Copa Airlines
• Kenya Airlines

It should be noted that codeshare flights on Air France/KLM from Australia - Asia are not permitted on their round the world airfares which greatly restricts the usability of this alliance for Australian travellers.