Oman Air has officially become a member of the Oneworld alliance today, 30 June 2025, a slight delay from the originally anticipated late 2024 timeline. As part of its integration, the airline is actively exploring the introduction of a new premium tier to its Sindbad rewards program, designed to mirror the benefits of Oneworld Emerald status.
In This Post
Why June 30? Behind the Delay and Strategy
Oman Air’s CEO, Con Korfiatis, confirmed the updated schedule earlier this year and expressed optimism about the airline’s trajectory as it continues to grow its fleet. Two new Boeing 787s have already arrived in the first half of 2025, with six more scheduled to be delivered starting in 2027.
Still, Korfiatis has reiterated a commitment to controlled growth, aiming to bring the airline back to break even by late 2026 or early 2027.
“We’re taking a practical approach, leveraging strong partnerships through Oneworld and other alliances to build a truly global platform,” Korfiatis stated.
Back to Heathrow: Double Daily Flights Are Coming
Oman Air also plans to reinstate its double-daily flights to London Heathrow in late 2026, as we’ve covered in this article here, made possible by reclaiming two vital take-off and landing slots that were previously leased to another carrier.
Fleet News: Boeing 787s and a Livery to Match
Of the two new Boeing 787s delivered this year, one proudly sports a special Oneworld livery to mark Oman Air’s official membership in the alliance. This aligns with the airline’s broader transformation programme, which continues to modernise its operations and services.
New Fares Take Off: Super Saver to Flex
Chief Commercial Officer Mick Rutter has confirmed the airline introduced new fare categories on 3 December last year: Super Saver, Comfort, and Flex, available to both economy and business-class passengers.
This fare class realignment was a strategic step toward alliance integration, helping Oman Air align its pricing structure with other Oneworld carriers. Rutter noted that this was a key reason behind choosing a June 30 launch rather than an earlier January timeline.
Muscat to the World: Codeshares and Connections
From its hub at Muscat International Airport, Oman Air now links directly to five hubs of oneworld partner airlines Amman, Colombo, Doha, Kuala Lumpur, and London Heathrow and continues to codeshare with alliance members like Malaysia Airlines, Qatar Airways, Royal Jordanian, and Sri Lankan Airlines.
What oneworld Status Means for Oman Air Flyers
As of today, Oman Air frequent flyers can earn and redeem miles across all Oneworld carriers. Travellers also begin to enjoy reciprocal status perks under the Sindbad loyalty scheme.
Sindbad Gets Serious: A Third Tier on the Way?
Oman Air is currently evaluating the introduction of a third elite tier in its Sindbad programme. This new tier would sit above Sindbad Silver and Sindbad Gold and align with Oneworld’s Emerald level.
A representative from Oman Air explained:
“We’re considering a two-tier mapping approach. One option is for Gold to match Emerald, but that might lead to downgrades. The alternative mapping Gold to Sapphire and launching a new top tier for Emerald might be more customer-friendly.”
The upcoming tier would offer perks such as access to Oman Air’s first-class lounge in Muscat and exclusive discounts across other Oman Air products and services.
Fiji, Hawaii, and Starlux: Who’s Next to Join?
Looking ahead, Fiji Airways is expected to become a full Oneworld member later this year. Hawaiian Airlines and Taiwan’s Starlux are also being watched closely as potential future additions to the alliance.
Keep reading
2 comments
Exciting news! Oman Air joining oneworld on 30th June 2025 is a fantastic development for frequent flyers. This move will open up even more opportunities for seamless travel, enhanced benefits, and better connectivity through their growing network
Oman Air joining oneworld on 30th June 2025 is a significant move! This will greatly enhance oneworld’s global reach and provide more travel options for its loyal members, especially in the Middle East and beyond. It’ll be exciting to see how Oman Air’s routes and service align with the oneworld network.