Sri Lankan Becomes Oneworld

Sri Lankan Airlines has today officially become a Oneworld member.

The carrier, which became a member elect of the alliance in mid-2012, now offers Oneworld's complete range of services and benefits.

The move means that the 100,000 members of Sri Lankan's Flysmiles loyalty programme, in effect, have their frequent flyer privileges extended to whenever they fly with any Oneworld member airline.

Flysmiles Platinum cardholders have Emerald status in the Oneworld programme, while Flysmiles Gold is the equivalent to Oneworld Sapphire, and Flysmiles Classic is Oneworld Ruby.
Cathay Pacific served as Sri Lankan's sponsor into Oneworld.

Flysmiles Platinum and Gold members can now use any of the more than 600 airport lounges worldwide offered by Oneworld member airlines whenever they fly with one of the alliance's carriers.

Sri Lankan Business Class passengers are also able to use Oneworld partner airline lounges.

And, the 150 million members of other Oneworld airlines' frequent flyer programmes can earn andredeem awards and tier status points and receive all other Oneworld benefits on Sri Lankan.

Sri Lankan Airlines operates a fleet of 21 aircraft from its Colombo base and has orders for ten more aircraft, including four A350-900s.

Its entry into Oneworld brings three new destinations to the network, Kochi, Tiruchirappalli and Thiruvananthapuram, all of which are in southern India and will expand the alliance's global coverage to 860 destinations in more than 150 countries.

TAM Airlines and US Airways joined Oneworld on March 31.