Philippine Airlines has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Oneworld governing board, capping a period of rapidly deepening commercial relationships with key alliance members.
The MOU was signed on June 6 in Rio de Janeiro on the sidelines of the IATA Annual General Meeting, with formal membership expected to take several months or more than a year to complete.
In the weeks leading up to the signing, PAL moved closer to two of Oneworld’s most prominent carriers. In May, the airline expanded its codeshare agreement with Qatar Airways, unlocking more than 40 additional destinations across Europe, the Middle East and Southeast Asia, and launching reciprocal loyalty benefits between Qatar’s Privilege Club and PAL’s Mabuhay Miles program.
Shortly after, Qantas Frequent Flyer members gained Classic Reward seat access across PAL’s entire network, opening up 15 Philippine island destinations – including Boracay, Cebu and Palawan – as well as onward connections to North America and the Middle East.
American Airlines CEO and Oneworld chairman Robert Isom said adding Philippine Airlines would “strengthen our connectivity across key markets in the Asia Pacific region.” PAL serves 69 destinations globally – 31 not currently covered by any other Oneworld member – and flies from Manila to six US cities: Seattle, San Francisco, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York and Honolulu, as well as Guam.
Full membership will eventually formalise earn and redeem benefits for frequent flyers across the alliance, and open up one of Southeast Asia’s most extensive domestic networks to Oneworld’s global base.
