American Airlines’ Fort Worth HQ campus is about to get even more international. The oneworld Alliance is relocating its global headquarters from New York City to American’s Skyview campus this December, it was announced today.
The alliance is made up of leading airlines from around the world, including founding member American plus seven others that fly out of DFW Airport: Alaska Airlines, British Airways, Finnair, Iberia, Japan Airlines, Qatar Airways, and Qantas.
Other airlines in the alliance include Cathay Pacific, Malaysia Airlines, Royal Jordanian, SriLankan Airlines, Fiji Airways, Royal Air Maroc, and Oman Air.
The alliance members’ goal is to be the first choices for frequent international travelers worldwide, by offering special privileges and rewards for frequent flyers, including earning and redeeming miles and points across the entire alliance network.
Original HQ was in Vancouver
Launched in 1999, oneworld was originally headquartered in Vancouver before its move to New York. Now it will join American on the 300-acre Robert L. Crandall Campus, just south of DFW International Airport. Rob Gurney, oneworld’s CEO since 2016, will continue to lead the alliance’s central management team.
“As our industry recovers from COVID-19, alliances and partnerships have continued to deepen,” Gurney said in a statement. “With our new home in Fort Worth, we anticipate even closer collaboration with American and our member airlines as we work side by side to further grow and strengthen oneworld.”
‘A significant step’
American CEO Robert Isom thinks oneworld has found the right home at last.
“The American and oneworld teams working more closely together will be tremendously beneficial to oneworld’s member airlines and customers around the world,” Isom said in the statement.
Oneworld Chairman and Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Akbar Al Baker seems to agree. He called the move a “significant step,” citing DFW Airport’s “unrivaled connectivity and importance to travellers as a global hub.”
‘It’s go time in Fort Worth’
The move adds to the momentum Fort Worth is seeing as it seeks a more prominent role not only domestically but internationally.
“It’s go time in Fort Worth, and we’re focusing on growing jobs and creating opportunities for everyone,” Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker said in the statement. “The robust air service that American and other oneworld carriers provide connects our region to the world, and that connectivity is part of what makes Fort Worth such an attractive place for businesses to invest and grow.”
DFW Airport keeps oneworld members busy
According to American Airlines, DFW International Airport “is one of the fastest-growing hubs in the oneworld network, offering nearly 900 daily flights to more than 260 destinations.” Oneworld’s relocation to the region could enable alliance members to tap into “the significant aviation talent pool” in Texas, American noted.
The Fort Worth campus is already home to American’s Flight Academy, its DFW Reservations Center, the Robert W. Baker Integrated Operations Center, a training and conference center, and the CR Smith Museum. An office complex houses the airline’s leadership and support staff.
Just last week, we wrote about a new $250 million, 600-room hotel being built at the campus for visiting employees.
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