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Airline Alliances Explained: Star Alliance, oneworld, and SkyTeam

Airline alliances explained: who belongs to Star Alliance, oneworld, and SkyTeam, how elite status and lounge access work across partners, and how to use them.

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Reviewed · 3 min read

An airline alliance is a partnership of carriers that lets you earn and redeem miles across member airlines, share elite benefits like lounge access and priority boarding, and connect more smoothly on one ticket. The three global alliances are Star Alliance, which includes United and Lufthansa; oneworld, with American and British Airways; and SkyTeam, with Delta and Air France-KLM.

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Star Alliance
United, Lufthansa, Air Canada, ANA, Singapore Airlines
oneworld
American, British Airways, Qatar Airways, Cathay Pacific, JAL
SkyTeam
Delta, Air France, KLM, Korean Air, Virgin Atlantic
No alliance
Emirates, Etihad, Air Tahiti Nui
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What is an airline alliance?

An airline alliance is a formal partnership between carriers to link their networks. Members let you earn and redeem miles on each other’s flights, recognize each other’s elite members, and coordinate connections so you can travel on one ticket across several airlines.

There are three global alliances: Star Alliance, founded in 1997; oneworld, launched in 1999; and SkyTeam, founded in 2000.

Which airlines belong to each alliance?

Membership changes occasionally, so check the alliance websites for current lists. These are some of the best-known members for US travelers.

  • Star Alliance: United, Air Canada, Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian, Turkish Airlines, ANA, Singapore Airlines, Air New Zealand, EVA Air, Ethiopian Airlines
  • oneworld: American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, British Airways, Iberia, Finnair, Qatar Airways, Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, Qantas, Royal Air Maroc
  • SkyTeam: Delta, Air France, KLM, Virgin Atlantic, Korean Air, Aeroméxico, Kenya Airways, Saudia

How does alliance elite status work?

Each alliance maps airline status levels to shared tiers: Star Alliance Silver and Gold; oneworld Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald; and SkyTeam Elite and Elite Plus. Your airline status earns you the matching alliance tier automatically.

Top tiers typically unlock priority check-in, boarding, and baggage handling on partner airlines, plus lounge access, usually when flying internationally. See our airport lounge access guide.

What are joint ventures and codeshares?

Some partners go further with joint ventures, coordinating schedules, fares, and revenue on specific routes, such as across the Atlantic. That can make connections and fare combinations smoother between partners.

A codeshare puts one airline’s flight number on a flight operated by another, while an interline agreement lets airlines ticket and transfer bags between each other. Always check which airline operates your flight, since that determines the seat, service, and check-in rules.

How can you use airline alliances to your advantage?

Alliances reward focus. Concentrating your flying in one alliance builds status faster and makes your miles more useful.

  • Credit partner flights to one loyalty program in the same alliance
  • Book connections on one ticket so missed connections are protected
  • Use partner airlines for award seats your home airline doesn’t offer
  • Consider non-alliance partnerships too, such as Emirates’ links with other carriers
  • Look into stopover programs on partner hubs

Frequently asked questions

Which airline alliance is best?

The best alliance is usually the one your home airport serves best. In Los Angeles, all three are well represented: United for Star Alliance, American and Alaska for oneworld, and Delta for SkyTeam. Consider where you fly most, which carriers offer the best long-haul products on those routes, and where your existing miles and status already sit.

Can I earn miles on partner airlines?

Yes. Flights on alliance partners generally earn miles in your chosen program, though the amount depends on the fare class and the program’s partner earning chart. Some deeply discounted fares earn little or nothing. Add your loyalty number to each booking, and keep boarding passes until miles post in case you need to claim them.

Do alliance elite benefits apply on domestic flights?

Some do. Benefits like priority check-in and boarding often apply across partner flights, but alliance lounge access usually requires an international itinerary. For example, top-tier members typically get partner lounge access when flying internationally, not on purely domestic US trips. Check the alliance and airline rules for your specific journey.

What happens if I miss a connection between two alliance airlines?

If both flights are on one ticket, the airlines are responsible for rebooking you on the next available option, and checked bags typically transfer automatically. If you booked separate tickets, even on partner airlines, the second airline may treat you as a no-show. Booking connections on one ticket is the safest approach for complex itineraries.

Is Emirates in an airline alliance?

No. Emirates isn’t a member of Star Alliance, oneworld, or SkyTeam. Instead, it has individual partnerships with other airlines, which can let you earn or redeem miles across specific carriers. Etihad and Air Tahiti Nui also operate outside the three alliances, so check each airline’s partner list before crediting miles.

Official sources

Rules, fees and schedules change — confirm the latest details at the source before you travel.

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