To greater heights: MAS and oneworld employees giving a big thumbs up at the launch of the alliance.

PETALING JAYA: A new era dawns for Malaysia Airlines (MAS) which has become the latest member of the oneworld frequent flyer alliance.

An Airbus A330-300 aircraft which departed yesterday from Kuala Lumpur International Airport to Melbourne marked its first flight where oneworld's full range of services and benefits would be offered to MAS travellers.

The airline's entry adds 16 new destinations, including Brunei, into oneworld's route map, strengthening the alliance's connectivity between key business cities in Asia.

By joining the alliance, MAS would now be able to fly its passengers to oneworld's global coverage of 842 destinations in 156 countries.

Group chief executive officer Ahmad Jauhari Yahya said travellers could now enjoy a variety of benefits with MAS, which acts as the alliance's sole representative in the South-East Asian region.

“Malaysia Airlines' two million Enrich loyalty programme members will be able to enjoy full oneworld frequent flyer benefits when flying with any oneworld member airline worldwide.”

Yahya unveiling the oneworld logo on Malaysia Airlines’ B737-800. Looking on are oneworld CEO Bruce Ashby and Qantas CEO Alan Joyce. — Bernama

He also said Enrich members would receive double award miles when flying with oneworld partners between Feb 15 to April 15 on tickets bought from today to April 15.

Oneworld also announced that they would be adding more benefits for top-tier frequent flyers, including extra check baggage allowance and access to fast-track lanes through security.

Speaking on behalf of the Prime Minister, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha congratulated MAS' addition to the oneworld alliance, calling it an “excellent step for MAS to improve further its competitiveness”.

“We look forward to this pride of Malaysia continuing to deliver the unique Malaysia Hospitality to more customers in a refreshed travel environment and taking the nation to greater heights in the world of aviation,” he said.

Oneworld is an alliance of the world's top airlines including airberlin, American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Iberia, Japan Airlines, Qantas and Royal Jordanian. Qatar Airways and SriLankan Airlines are expected to join the alliance soon.

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