OREANDA-NEWS. US Airways will join oneworld® with effect from 31 March 2014, following completion today of its merger with alliance founding member American Airlines. All its regional affiliates, operating under the US Airways Express brand, will also transition to oneworld at the same time.

Their entry into oneworld with effect from the first flights on 31 March 2014 will follow immediately upon their exit from the Star Alliance with the final flights on 30 March 2014.

The full integration of American Airlines and US Airways - which will see the combined airline retaining the American Airlines name - will offer oneworld’s full range of services and benefits - although some may be phased in shortly after US Airways joins.

The 140 million members of established oneworld airlines’ frequent flyer programmes will receive alliance services and benefits when flying on US Airways from 31 March. This will include the ability to earn mileage and tier status points and, for Emerald and Sapphire cardholders, to access US Airways’ lounges when flying on oneworld departures, and the ability to redeem rewards for flights on US Airways..

As it becomes part of the group on 31 March 2014, US Airways’ network will be covered by oneworld’s range of alliance fares - the most extensive offered by any of the global alliances.

On its own, US Airways is the fifth largest airline in the USA and one of the 30 largest in the world. With its regional affiliates, it serves more than 200 destinations and 30 countries with a fleet of more than 625 aircraft. It carried 82.5 million passengers in 2012 and currently operates 3,200 departures a day.

It will add 60 destinations to the oneworld map - most in its US home but also three in Canada and one in Mexico - along with its key hubs of Charlotte, Philadelphia, Phoenix and Washington DC’s Reagan National, expanding oneworld’s presence across the USA, particularly throughout the East Coast and across the North Atlantic.

Its merger with American Airlines creates the world’s largest airline on most measures, giving oneworld the leading alliance position in the USA, the world’s largest air travel market. The new American will offer service to more than 330 destinations in more than 50 countries, carrying 190 million passengers a year on a fleet of 1,500 aircraft.