Will Fiji Airways, the award-winning South Pacific airline, become a full member of the oneworld airline alliance?

It has been a tough time for some airlines in the South Pacific. Voluntary bankruptcy last monthAll flights were grounded, and Unrest in New Caledonia This includes blocking the country’s airports, affecting the operations of the country’s national airline, Aircalin.
The airport reopened, but unrest continued.

But there is some good news for Vanuatu. Solomon Airlines will launch weekly direct flights from Brisbane to Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu, from Thursday 4 July. The weekly flight joins the twice-weekly Brisbane-Honiara-Port Vila service, providing Australians with access to Vanuatu.
Air Vanuatu’s management has also received expressions of interest in the airline from potential buyers seeking to resume operations.

One of these may well be Fiji Airways, the South Pacific’s largest airline and a beacon of success for the regional and global aviation industry.

Fiji’s national airline has been named Best Airline in Australia and the Pacific for the second year in a row at the Skytrax 2024 World Airline Awards in London on June 24.

Fiji Airways also won the title of Best Airline Staff in Australia and the Pacific for the fourth consecutive year and improved its global ranking in the top 100 airlines, climbing from 15th in 2023 to 14th in 2024, reaching Surpassing Qantas and Air New Zealand.

Fiji Airways has just become the 15th full member of the oneworld alliance, joining other airline giants such as Qantas, Cathay Pacific, British Airways and American Airlines. Fiji Airways has been a oneworld “connectivity” partner for five years, a designation that means the airline offers some, but not all, of the membership benefits to its passengers.

Fiji Airways’ entry into the oneworld airline group is planned to be completed in phases over 12 months and will mean Fiji Airways will be able to offer a full range of benefits to oneworld Emerald, Sapphire and Ruby customers, including earning and redeeming Miles, earning Status Points, priority check-in and boarding, and lounge access.

Fiji Airways’ own top customers will be able to enjoy all oneworld’s priority benefits, including a global network of nearly 700 Business and First Class lounges.