SAO PAULO, March 31, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Today TAM Airlines, a carrier of the LATAM Airlines Group, joins oneworld, an airline alliance currently undergoing the largest expansion in its history. As of today, all passengers flying on the Brazilian carrier can enjoy the benefits offered by the alliance.
This is one of the most important steps to achieve the entry of all LATAM Airlines Group into oneworld. LAN Airlines has been a member of oneworld since 2000 as well as all of its affiliates, namely LAN Argentina, LAN Colombia, LAN Ecuador and LAN Peru, have already joined. TAM's affiliated airline in Paraguay (TAM Mercosur), will also join oneworld soon. As a result, all passenger airlines of the LATAM Airlines Group will be members of the same alliance.
To the passengers of the carriers that are part of LATAM Airlines Group, this means greater convenience when traveling, since they will have the same standard of high-quality customer service, regardless of their international destination. To oneworld, this milestone represents the consolidation of its position as the leading alliance for flights within Latin America and between the region and the United States and Europe, which are the destinations most sought after by South American passengers.
"We made the best choice for the LATAM Airlines Group. With oneworld, our passengers will have even more benefits on their journeys, including better connections and more options for destinations. We made a seamless transition and now we can celebrate this milestone with our customers and our new partners. We wish everyone in oneworld a warm welcome to Brazil," says Marco Antonio Bologna, TAM's Chief Executive.
To celebrate this moment, on Monday, TAM's first aircraft bearing the oneworld logo will be on display at Congonhas Airport in Sao Paulo with the presence of CEOs and representatives of all oneworld member airlines, who traveled to Brazil especially for this event.
Expanding alliance
With its transition into the alliance now complete, TAM effectively adds 45 new destinations to the network of oneworld partner companies. Brazilian flyers will enjoy access to airlines in all regions of the world, including unprecedented new partnerships in Australia and Russia.
oneworld's CEO Bruce Ashby said: "As the leading airline in Latin America's biggest economy, TAM's addition represents a significant landmark in oneworld's journey to establish itself as the first choice airline alliance for frequent international travelers around the world. We are very pleased to welcome TAM and its customers to the world's premier global airline alliance."
More benefits for TAM Fidelidade members
To celebrate its entry into oneworld, TAM Fidelidade program will offer double points to all passengers flying with the alliance's member airlines[1] in May 2014. Members of the frequent flyer programs of oneworld member airlines will also receive double the points or miles when flying on TAM during the month.
The ten million members of the TAM Fidelidade program will keep the points they accrued before the transition to the alliance, as well as their premium status level, in accordance with the program's rules. New cards with the oneworld logo, which have already been distributed, can now be used to redeem and earn points on any oneworld member airline.
Also starting today, 140 million members of the frequent flyer programs of oneworld airlines can earn points or miles and redeem tickets when flying TAM Airlines, while also enjoying all of the benefits offered by the alliance.
TAM Fidelidade Black and Red Plus passengers now fall under the Emerald premium status level of the oneworld program. This entitles them to use, together with one guest, any of the more than 600 VIP lounges in airports around the world offered by oneworld member airlines, even if they are flying economy class. Emerald status customers can also use First Class lounges when available. oneworld is the only alliance that offers access to these lounges even when passengers are not flying First Class.
Starting today, Black and Red Plus cardholders can also check-in at the First Class counters of oneworld airlines, regardless of the class they are flying. Additional baggage allowance and access to fast track security lines will also be offered in airports where the alliance makes these services available.
Members of the Red category of the TAM Fidelidade program now enjoy the Sapphire premium status level on oneworld. These passengers, together with one guest, can now use any business class or frequent flyer VIP lounge when travelling on oneworld member airlines, regardless of the class for which the ticket was issued. They can also check in at Business Class counters.
All Emerald and Sapphire premium status members are also invited to board the flights of oneworld airlines at any time they wish, without restrictions, provided they do so before the boarding gate closes.
Members of the Blue category of the TAM Fidelidade program are now Ruby premium status members. Like Sapphire members, they can check-in at Business Class counters when flying with oneworld, regardless of the class they are flying. At Guarulhos Airport, this benefit will be available when TAM moves to the new terminal that is under construction.
All oneworld premium status levels (Emerald, Sapphire and Ruby) also enjoy priority on the waiting lists of any member airline. They can also pre-book their favorite seat on any oneworld flight whenever this service is available.
The ceremony held by TAM to celebrate its entry into oneworld in Sao Paulo will be broadcast live on the internet at www.tam.com.br/imprensa.
About LATAM Airlines Group S.A.
LATAM Airlines Group S.A. is the new name given to LAN Airlines S.A. as a result of its association with TAM S.A. LATAM Airlines Group S.A. now includes LAN Airlines and its affiliates in Peru, Argentina, Colombia and Ecuador, and LAN Cargo and its affiliates, as well as TAM S.A. and its subsidiaries TAM Linhas Aereas S.A., including its business units TAM Transportes Aereos del Mercosur S.A., (TAM Airlines (Paraguay)) and Multiplus S.A. This association creates one of the largest airline groups in the world in terms of network connections, providing passenger transport services to about 135 destinations in 22 countries and cargo services to about 144 destinations in 27 countries, with a fleet of 319 aircraft. In total, LATAM Airlines Group S.A. has more than 52.000 employees and its shares are traded in Santiago, as well as on the New York Stock Exchange, in the form of ADRs, and Sao Paulo Stock Exchange, in the form of BDRs.
Each airline will continue to operate under their current brands and identities. For any inquiry of LAN or TAM, please visit www.lan.com or www.tam.com.br, respectively. Further information at www.latamairlinesgroup.net
[1] Except Finnair
CONTACT:
LATAM Airlines Group:
Megan Kat Williams
786-265-6333
Edelman:
Candace Meade
212-704-8111
SOURCE TAM Airlines
Share this article