In an event last week in London, oneworld, the airline alliance including American Airlines, Qantas, British Airways and Cathay Pacific, among others, celebrated its milestone 20^th anniversary. The press conference marked the alliance’s largest gathering of airline CEOs in oneworld’s two-decade history. Some of the CEOs in attendance included Doug Parker, American Airlines; Alex Cruz, British Airways; Alan Joyce, Qantas; Rupert Hogg, Cathay Pacific; Luis Gallego, Iberia; Akbar Al Baker, Qatar Airways; and Abdelhamid Addou, Royal Air Maroc, the alliance’s first new full member in six years.

oneworld’s 20th Anniversary © Kimberly Krol

As Alan Joyce noted to the media in attendance, every five seconds, a oneworld member airline takes off or lands somewhere around the globe. Looking ahead to the next 20 years, the airline aims for once every one to two seconds. The alliance’s CEO, Rob Gurney, spoke to some of the ways the alliance hopes to reach that goal.

In addition to welcoming Royal Air Maroc in 2018, oneworld also launched its oneworld connect program, boasting a different level of candidacy for airlines. The first oneworld connect airline, Fiji Airways, was in attendance. The Feb. 1 event marked the launch of the alliance’s new campaign and Travel Bright branding, boasting bright colors and a modern, inclusive feel.

The biggest development to come from oneworld’s celebration was the announcement of breakthrough functionality that will facilitate interline services between the member airlines on a standardized format. With three out of four customers using one airline app, this will make it easier for them; rather than downloading the app for each member airline you may be flying on a segment of a journey, travelers will be able to do it all from one app in the near future. Look for more to come on this and other developments, including airport co-location and branded lounges, in the future, and check out our March issue for more from Rob Gurney.