Mexican Airline Joins OneWorld Alliance

The airline Mexicana, one of the leaders in the Mexican and Central American market, will join the OneWorld alliance on November 10, said Spanish airline and alliance member, Iberia, last month.

In a move that will make Mexico even cheaper and easier to fly to, Iberia said it is sponsoring Mexicana in an entry process that has taken a year and a half, ensuring Mexicana complies with the requirements of the alliance.

The Spanish airline also said that Mexicana's smaller domestic offshoots, MexicanaLink and MexicanaClick, will also be incorporated as affiliate members.

For Mexicana, joining OneWorld will strengthen its competitive offering and its financial position. For OneWorld, the incorporation of Mexican destinations will extend the network of the alliance in Mexico and Central America.

Expanding its position as the leading airline alliance in the Hispanic community, OneWorld now brings together American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Iberia, Japan Airlines, LAN, Malév Hungarian Airlines, Qantas, Royal Jordanian, American Eagle, Dragonair, LAN Argentina, LAN Ecuador and LAN Peru.

The addition of a Mexican airline is expected to give the alliance a massive boost since Mexico is now the eleventh most populous country in the world, the thirteenth world economy and the eighth most popular tourist destination, attracting more than 21 million foreign visitors each year.

OneWorld, which already flew to 13 airports in Mexico, will launch 26 new destinations to its map, 24 in Mexico plus Edmonton in Canada and Oakland in the U.S. bringing the total destinations in Latin America to nearly 150 and about 700 cities in 150 countries worldwide.

OneWorld, with a fleet of two thousand 250 aircrafts, more than 8,000 flights a day, 32 million passengers and annual revenue of $100,000 million, will be able to offer their custumers more choices and benefits, more lounges, and better customer service support.

From November 10, members of Mexicana's frequent flier program may earn and redeem miles on all flights with members of OneWorld. The cardholders for MexicanaGo Conquer and Explore, will have Emerald and Sapphire status respectively, so they will have access to 550 airport lounges. All program members will soon receive MexicanaGo, the new loyalty program cards, bearing the OneWorld Logo, so they can fully enjoy the benefits of the alliance.

Also from that date, holders of frequent flyer programs of airlines that are already members of the alliance may accumulate and use points, as well as receive all other OneWorld benefits when flying with Mexicana and its affiliates.

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