Jetsettersblog

Cruising and boating holiday specialists Blue Water Holidays have revealed that their customers are just as exotic as their destinations. With recent customers booking a cruise on Russian Waterways from Zimbabwe, a Rhine cruise from Kuwait, and even a boating holiday in Ireland from Barbados, Blue Water Holidays have an important international customer base.

General Manager Rachel Aydin comments, “We have always explored new international markets and are finding it a real bonus now with the current uncertainty in the UK. We have booked customers from every single EU country and over 125 different countries worldwide, including Argentina, Brazil, Cambodia, Chile, French Polynesia, Malaysia, and even Tokelau and Norfolk Island!”

“Unlike most agents and operators, we are not tied to a specific geographical customer base”, adds Rachel. “Our international marketing expertise and in-house technology means that we are able to book someone from Thailand onto a European river cruise without a problem.”

Blue Water Holidays are the UK cruising and boating holiday specialists with comprehensive coverage of all destinations and cruise types, including traditional river and ocean cruises, coastal voyages, expedition cruises, luxury cruises and self-drive boating holidays in the UK and Europe. For more information about what they offer, see www.bluewaterholidays.com.

For more information, please contact Juliet Peters, Marketing Manager on 01756 693626 or email Juliet@bluewaterholidays.com

For the price of your morning coffee, you could see the coffee beans for yourself in Costa Rica.

G.A.P Adventures, the world’s leading adventure travel company, expands its range of tours to South and Central America.

G.A.P Adventures is offering its travellers 10% off all new South and Central America 2009 trips booked by November 15, 2008 with travel completed by April 30, 2009.

“South America is a continent of contrasts: from the idyllic shores of Mexico to the glaciers in Patagonia, it offers more variety of culture, wildlife, and natural beauty than any other continent. This, combined with the liveliness and the warmth of its people, makes it an all-time favourite destination.” says Bruce Poon Tip, CEO of G.A.P Adventures.

“G.A.P Adventures is now launching a brand new range of small group tours that will allow travelers to experience this intriguing continent in a new way,” adds Mr. Poon Tip. “Our tours have an excellent value for money. For the price of their morning coffee, our customers could see the coffee beans for themselves in Costa Rica.”

G.A.P Adventures’ new South and Central America trips include:

Peru on a Shoestrin

Everything you imagined Peru would be and more! During this two-week adventure travellers will fly over the desert to see the mysterious Nazca lines and visit Cuzco, heart and soul of the Inca empire, with the opportunity to choose among rafting, horseback riding and mountain biking. The major highlight of the trip is a four-day Inca trail hike, a once-upon-a-lifetime journey across the Andes, which culminates with an unforgettable sunrise over Machu Picchu.
Patagonia Experience

The perfect tour for mountain lovers! Imposing glaciers, unique wildlife and breathtaking scenery are found at every turn in this amazing 11-day trip in the Patagonian Andes. Travellers will have the opportunity to hike within Glacier National Park, home to the third largest ice field on Earth, witness one of the few advancing glaciers in the world, the Moreno Glacier, and travel by boat amongst the icebergs of Torres del Paine National Park.

Ecuador in Style

This 8-day trip is a great way to see and experience Ecuador while travelling in style. Wonder around the pre-Inca handicraft markets of Otavalo, and take a guided tour to Cuenca with its charming cobblestone streets. After exploring the ancient Inca ruins of Ingapirca, relax at the natural hot springs of Baños. Finally, once in Quito, take advantage of a range of activities ranging from hiking to rafting.

Active Yucatan Jungle and Ruins

Get active and see the Yucatan peninsula from a different perspective! During this 10-day adventure, travelers will visit the world famous ruins of Tulum and Chichén Itza, and spend four days in the less-visited Sian Ka’an Biosphere reserve. Surrounded by breathtaking landscape, they will take snorkelling trips, swim and paddle through caves, before heading up to Playa del Carmen for a final stroll down the beach.

This two-week tour stretches from southern Costa Rica to western Panama. After a scenic boat tour through the mangrove delta of Rio Sierpe, visitors will explore Corcovado National Park’s wildlife and then reach the mountain retreat of Boquete, the ideal location for white water rafting and other outdoor activities such as hiking and horseback riding. Finally, they will snorkel, scuba dive or just relax on the top-notch beaches of the archipelago of Bocas del Toro and conclude their trip at the picturesque village of Puerto Viejo de Talamanca.

15 Trophy-winning Properties, 4 New Grands Chefs Relais & Châteaux

In exclusive partnership with prestigious brands, Relais & Châteaux has just revealed the list of the winners of the Relais & Châteaux Trophies which are awarded every year in recognition of expertise and excellence in the art of hospitality and fine dining.

Welcome Trophy with Moët & Chandon
The art of receiving is one of the fundamental virtues of Relais & Châteaux; ensuring your stay is unforgettable is always the priority in these properties.

Hotel Jagdhof Glashütte - Germany

Grand Chef Trophy with Taittinger
Amongst the Relais & Châteaux members, the contemporary elite of fine dining are grouped within the family of the Grands Chefs Relais & Châteaux. Passion, creativity, experience and expertise are the essential criteria for admission to the highly select circle of these Grands Chefs.

Firmin & Philippe Arrambide
Les Pyrénées - France

Jonathan Gushue
Langdon Hall Country House Hotel & Spa - Canada

Christopher Brooks
Blantyre – United States

Jason Robinson
The Inn at Dos Brisas – United States

Rising Chef Trophy with All-Clad
We single out young chefs whose creativity, imagination and commitment earmark them as the future grand masters of fine dining in the world.

Davy Tissot
Villa Florentine - France

Art de la Table Trophy with San Pellegrino
The arts of the table, atmosphere and decoration are all part of our philosophy of “receiving well”. They reflect the soul of our properties and express their personality.

Ristorante Le Calandre - Italy

Spa Trophy with Laurent Perrier
There are 5 categories of spa: Spas de Charme, Spas de Rêve, Thalassotherapy, Thermalism and Beauty.

Georges Blanc & Spa - France

Woman of the Year Trophy with Pommery
A disciplined approach to work organisation, exacting standards, the giving of themselves and a sense of welcome and detail make these women the flagship ambassadresses of our family.

Johanna Maier
Hotel Hubertus - Austria

Passion Trophy with Hennessy
Launched in 2004, the Passion Trophy is awarded to Relais & Châteaux owners who know how to make your stay truly unique: harmonious setting, perfect service, remarkable style.

Sam Beall
Blackberry Farm – United States

Corporate Trophy with Glenmorangie
Relais & Châteaux launched this trophy in 2005 to single out property owners who have distinguished themselves through their high-performance meeting facilities and the quality of the welcome afforded to business meetings or residential seminars.

Sheen Falls Lodge – Ireland

Lounge Trophy with Grand Marnier
With the Lounge Trophy, Relais & Châteaux pays tribute to the expertise of these friendly settings, a real invitation to tasting.

Eden Rock - St Barthélémy - France

Environment Trophy with Orlane
This award pays tribute to properties which have shown tenacity, commitment, impressive initiatives and respect for the environment and the natural setting.

Longueville Manor – United Kingdom

Garden Trophy with Rozes
This pays tribute to properties which have succeeded in reconciling abundant nature, expertise in enhancing the horticultural heritage and respect for the original beauty of the landscapes.

Las Mañanitas Hotel Garden Restaurant & Spa - Mexico

Innovation Trophy with Nespresso
To guarantee unique experiences and intense moments of discovery, each Relais & Châteaux member must know how to reinvent itself and be innovative.

Thierry Marx
Cordeillan-Bages - France

About Relais & Châteaux

Relais & Châteaux is an exclusive collection of 480 of the finest charming hotels and gourmet restaurants in 56 countries. Established in France in 1954, the Association’s mission is to spread its unique art de vivre across the globe by selecting outstanding properties with a truly unique character.

Furthermore, Relais & Châteaux is also a family of hoteliers and Grands Chefs from all over the world who share a passion for and a personal commitment to ensuring their guests are privy to moments of exceptional harmony, an unforgettable celebration of the senses.

From the vineyards in Napa valley to the beaches in Bali, from the olive trees in Provence to the lodges in South Africa, Relais & Châteaux offers all the stops on the finest route for discovering each special place and country.

Out of the Blue, formerly the travel wing of the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, WDCS, is delighted to announce a new partnership with Dive Worldwide, offering a stunning collection of whale and dolphin watching holidays in the UK and around the world. This new development means that in addition to classic Out of the Blue tours to Canada, New England and Scotland, there are now even more opportunities for magical and life-changing encounters with wild whales and dolphins in 2009, in the Shetland Islands, Bay of Biscay, Monterey Bay and Dominica.

All trips are endorsed by WDCS, carefully planned to avoid negative impact on animals, and designed to encourage conservation, research and education. Proceeds from Out of the Blue tours support the vital conservation work of WDCS in the UK and worldwide. As a special offer, for every confirmed booking in 2009, travellers will receive a one-year gift membership to WDCS.

New tours for 2009 include:

Scotland Short Breaks: 4-day holiday departing Inverness 1st May, 19th Jun, 31st Jul & 14th , 21st , 25th & 28th Aug 09.

Enjoy a programme of boat and shore-based dolphin watching in Scotland’s beautiful and remote Moray Firth, home to one of just three populations of Bottlenose Dolphins around the UK. Visit the WDCS centre at Spey Bay and learn more about dolphins and other wildlife found in the area. Stay in a delightfully converted 18th century brewery in the historic coastal town of Cromarty, known as the ‘jewel of the Black Isle’.
The holiday costs £450 p/p including all transfers, boat excursions, three nights full board accommodation at The Old Brewery and professional naturalist guiding.

Bay of Biscay: 4-day holiday departing Portsmouth 6th & 27th Aug 09.

A superb whale and wildlife watching mini-cruise from Portsmouth to northern Spain aboard the Pride of Bilbao, through the rich, deep waters of the Bay of Biscay in search of whales, dolphins, seabirds and sharks. Escorted by professional naturalists, guests enjoy a programme of onboard lectures focussing on whale and dolphin identification and ecology, gain exclusive access to the ship’s viewing platform, and as an extra bonus, disembark for some land-based exploration during a guided walk in the foothills of northern Spain’s Picos de Europa.
The holiday costs £245 p/p (based on two sharing an inside cabin), three nights accommodation on the Pride of Bilbao, guided walk in Spain and expert WDCS naturalist guiding.

Monterey Bay: 8-day holiday departing London 18th April 09.

The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary in California is the largest marine sanctuary in the United States and one of the best places in the world for whale watching, especially for Orca. No fewer than 26 different cetaceans have been recorded here, almost a third of all known species. As the tour coincides with peak season for Orca, Out of the Blue aims to spend as much time as possible with family pods. The Bay is also home to a remarkable variety of other wildlife, including Sea Otters, Californian Sea Lions, Harbour Seals and Brown Pelicans.
The holiday costs £2,199 p/p including flights, transfers, whale watching excursions on a chartered boat, kayaking tour, hotel accommodation, some meals and expert WDCS naturalist guiding.

Dominica: 9-day holiday departing London 18th April 09.

A wonderfully relaxing holiday in the Caribbean timed to coincide with Dominica’s peak whale watching season. Guests are treated to more than 30 hours of whale watching aboard a specially chartered catamaran, offering superb opportunities to spot nursing groups of female sperm whales with their calves, Fraser’s, bottlenose and Risso’s dolphins together with pygmy sperm whales.

The holiday also includes a full day’s exploration of the rainforests, beaches and villages of Dominica, ‘nature’s island’.
The holiday costs £2,449 p/p including flights, transfers, whale watching excursions on a chartered boat, hotel accommodation, some meals, island tour and expert WDCS naturalist guiding.

Out of the Blue
0845 290 3218
info@oceansworldwide.co.uk
www.oceansworldwide.co.uk

Having made their annual migratory journey of almost 6,000 miles from summer feeding grounds off the coast of Alaska, up to 500 Grey Whales arrive in the lagoons of Mexico’s Magdalena Bay - providing the perfect winter home to court, breed, give birth and simply frolic in the warm, calm waters. Wildlife Worldwide offer 9-day holidays coinciding with this spectacle, next departing London 2nd, 3rd and 7th February 09.

The Grey Whale has the longest migration of any mammal, between their summer Arctic feeding grounds in the Bering and Chukchi Seas and their nurseries in the peaceful lagoons of Magdalena Bay, Baja California.

Daily zodiac excursions allow for prime viewing of both courting couples and females with calves and newborns - a staggering 15 feet long. Whales often display peculiar curiosity towards the boats, providing excellent photographic opportunities - along with Spy-Hopping (raising their huge heads vertically out of the water) and occasionally breaching out of the calm Magdalena waters for that extra splash!

Travellers are based at the ecvironmentally sympathetic Whalewatch Camp, similar in style to a tented safari lodge. Twin walk-in tents with solar showers combine with excellent camp cuisine to provide comfortable waterfront accommodation. Other activities on offer include hiking amongst sand dunes and desert flora, birdwatching, and sea-kayaking through the mangroves and peaceful waters of the bay.

The holiday costs from £1,975 p/p including scheduled flights, pre-paid taxes, hotel and tented Whalewatch Camp accommodation, most meals and expertly guided activities.

Wildlife Worldwide
0845 130 6982
sales@wildlifeworldwide.com
www.wildlifeworldwide.com

FLY ME TO THE SUN

Book a Trip to Los Cabos Now and Enjoy Free Airfare Courtesy of the Los Cabos Convention & Visitors Bureau

This winter, travel to a place where all worries and stress melt away, leaving you in a state of complete relaxation and bliss. Fly to Los Cabos for free to enjoy the sun, sand and sea courtesy of the destination’s most luxurious hotels and resorts.

Beginning now and valid through 2009, over 20 world-class hotels and resorts in Los Cabos are offering visitors the opportunity to “leave it all behind” and enjoy a sun-filled and worry-free vacation while saving on airfare. The “Fly Me to the Sun” program provides guests with a $400 per room credit upon hotel check-out, virtually reimbursing guests the cost of one airline ticket.

“With so many fine resorts participating in this promotion from charming boutique hotels to luxury resorts, including several all-inclusive properties, we anticipate a great response and look forward to welcoming a multitude of sun-seekers to Los Cabos this winter,” says Gonzalo Franyutti, President of the Los Cabos Convention & Visitors Bureau.

For a complete list of participating hotels and details, please visit www.visitloscabos.travel or contact your local travel agent. This offer is not valid in conjunction with any other hotel promotion and special conditions apply.

Families, honeymooners, mature travelers, golfers, eco-tourists, artists, photographers, sightseers and others find what they are looking for when they visit Los Cabos. Located at the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja Peninsula, Los Cabos offers travelers an exotic escape within easy reach of most U.S. cities.

With non-stop flights or convenient connections available from Los Angeles, Oakland, San Diego, San Francisco and Sacramento, California; Houston and Dallas, Texas; Portland, Oregon; Kansas City, Missouri; Atlanta, Chicago, Cincinnati, Denver, Detroit, Las Vegas, Minneapolis, New York/ Newark, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, Seattle and more, Los Cabos is both accessible and exciting.

For more about Los Cabos-and a copy of its informative travel planner, call 1-866-LOS-CABOS or visit www.visitloscabos.travel

A number of hotels in Los Cabos, Mexico are offering special package rates for a limited time only. Among the participating properties, Casa Natalia, a luxury boutique hotel located in San Jose del Cabo, is currently offering a 2009 Winter Getaway Package, valid from Jan. 6, 2009, through March 31, 2009.

This package includes five nights accommodations with the fifth night free, one tasting dinner for two at Mi Cocina not including beverages, and daily Casa Natalia breakfast served on your private terrace. Package price is $1,890.

For more information, call 888-277-3814 or visit www.casanatalia.com

 Other participating properties include Esperanza (www.esperanzaresort.com) ; Las Ventanas al Paraiso (www.lasventanas.com)

 One&Only Palmilla (www.oneandonlyresorts.com)

 and Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach Resort & Spa (www.pueblobonito.com)

 For more information on Los Cabos, call 866-LOS-CABOS or visit www.visitloscabos.travel

The Velas Group, which includes Grand Velas All Suites & Spa Resort in Riviera Nayarit, Casa Velas and Velas Vallarta in Puerto Vallarta and Grand Velas in Riviera Maya, launched Velas Signature. With points of entry as early as the second visit, Velas Signature is a frequent customer program that rewards repeat visitors with complimentary and discounted nights, golf privileges, high-speed internet, airport transfers, spa rituals, gifts from the boutique, and more. The Velas Signature frequent customer program has three levels of membership: Silver — obtained during a second visit to any of the Velas Group resorts, Silver membership gives members a complimentary night for two people after every 15 nights accumulated, one guided hydrotherapy ritual in the spa and 10 percent off published rates on superior room categories;

Gold — after accumulating 20 room nights, Gold members receive a complimentary night for two people for every 10 nights booked thereafter, one guided hydrotherapy ritual in the spa and 15 percent off published rates on superior room categories; and Diamond — secured after staying 40 nights, Diamond membership allows members to take advantage of a complimentary night for two people for every reservation and 20 percent off published rates on superior room categories. Diamond members are also rewarded with one complimentary spa treatment, from Collection A, per room and unlimited access to the Hydrotherapy Ritual Area (only Grand Velas Resorts).

Additional benefits for Velas Signature members include unlimited golf (Casa Velas), bottle of wine or liquor in suite upon arrival (Casa Velas & Velas Vallarta), one adventure tour (Velas Vallarta), two kids’ stays free (Velas Vallarta), two rounds of golf per person, per stay (Velas Vallarta), and dinner for two at any of the Velas Group resorts in Puerto Vallarta or Riviera Nayarit. Velas Signature members also receive 10 percent off items in the hotel boutique, free Internet access, airport transfers, early check-in and late check-out (subject to availability), and an exclusive call center phone line at all of the Velas Group resorts.

 To register for Velas Signature or for more information, call 866-495-9902 or visit www.tinyurl.com/velassignature

World Expeditions’ Top 10 Active Adventure Trips for 2009

Make it your 2009 New Year resolution to get fit and healthy on an active adventure holiday with World Expeditions, the trekking and adventure holidays specialists.

From our Classic Mont Blanc Ascent to Alaskan trekking and kayaking, cycling the Glens of Scotland, or trekking the remote wilderness of Bhutan with Rebecca Stevens - the first female to ascend Everest; with World Expeditions’ unbeatable 2009 prices you’ll find our Top 10 New Year Active Adventure Trips for 2009 hard to resist.

You don’t need to be a top-class athlete to join our fun and affordable, all-inclusive holidays. At World Expeditions we have tailored a wide selection of active adventures to suit nearly every level of fitness. Whether you’re looking for an active family adventure or relaxing vineyard amble, a moderately active walk or cycle journey, or a challenging mountain trek or summit ascent, our experienced travel advisors will ensure you plan the right Active Adventure Trip for 2009.

World Expeditions’ Top 10 Active Adventure Trips 2009

1.Experience the highest peak in the European Alps by yourself, or with your family. Join the Classic Ascent of Mont Blanc on a 7-day guided trip. Price from £1,275 pp. Or, a Mont Blanc 7-day Family Adventure from £560 per adult; £430 per child.

2.Trek the un-trodden trails of China’s Yunnan Province and experience Zhongdian, the real Shangri-la, on our 15-day Yunnan Meili trip . Price from £1,350 per person.

3.Not all great adventures have to be a flight away! Cycle the Great Glens of Scotland on an 8-day self guided cycle trip. Price from £670 per person.

4.Looking for a new Himalayan trail? Trek the remote paths of the Manaslu Circuit in Nepal, on a 25-day guided trip. Price from £1,440 per person.

5.Climb the ‘Mountain in the Sea’ on our Crossing Corsica, 7-day self guided walk. Price from £685 per person.

6.Trek the Bhutan Circuit with Rebecca Stevens; the first British woman to ascend Everest (14 days, 9-day trek) Price from £2,495 per person.

7.Discover Italy’s 15th century walking trails high above the sea in Cinque Terre, on an 8-day self guided walk. Price from £455 per person.

8.Spoil your Valentine with a Wine Lovers Burgundy, 8-day self guided cycle trip in France. Price from £995 per person.

9.Trek and kayak the pristine and rugged Wilderness of Alaska, on a 12-day guided trip this summer. Price from £2,190 per person.

10.Climb to the roof of Africa. Experience Kilimanjaro by the remote Shira Route, on a challenging 10-day trip. Price from £1,420 per person. All inclusions.

For more information on our Top 10 Active Adventure Trips for 2009, please visit www.worldexpeditions.co.uk  or call our experienced travel team on 0800 074 4135

oneworld® has become the first in the travel industry to sell multiairline
round-the-world air tickets on-line with its new internet booking tool for its oneworld Explorer fare. This also makes oneworld the first global airline alliance to offer any of its public fares for sale through the worldwide web.

The new on-line booking tool is available now through oneworld.com The alliance’s member airlines will add it to their own websites too or provide links from their internet sites to the oneworld.com facility – at www.oneworld.com/ow/flight-info/plan-and-book-your-itinerary
oneworld Explorer is among the most popular multi-airline tickets worldwide, enabling passengers to travel right around the globe using the flights of any of oneworld’s ten member airline and 20 or so affiliates, who together serve some 700 destinations in approaching 150 countries.

With the launch this new oneworld internet tool, customers or their travel agents can for the first time both plan their round-the-world itinerary and now book and pay for their tickets on-line. The system has a number of special features to make it as simple as possible for customers to plan oneworld Explorer round-the-world trips.

As they build their itinerary - simply by clicking on destinations displayed on the alliance’s interactive map - the system automatically checks availability and displays only flights that have seats available for each route and date selected. It also validates that the itinerary meets all the fare’s rules and conditions - and then provides an instant price for the trip. Once customers have finalised their itinerary - which can be of up to 16 sectors - they can pay online using a credit card (see notes) and print out all the details. The e-tickets for the entire trip are then sent to the customer by email.

oneworld Vice-President Commercial Nicolas Ferri said: “The tremendous value and flexibility our oneworld Explorer fares offer now combined with the ease and simplicity of planning, booking and paying on-line extends oneworld and our member airlines’ leading position for worldwide travel. We are delighted to be the first and only alliance - and indeed the first in the travel industry - to offer this level of convenience to our customers and travel agency partners, building further on our record of
innovation.”

The booking engine project has been led on behalf of all the alliance’s carriers by Qantas. Its General Manager Sales and Distribution Rob Gurney said: “With so many possibilities of places to visit and routes to take, planning and booking a round-the-world trip can be time-consuming - both for our customers and sales representatives. Our new, easy-to-use on-line booking and payment facility simplifies the entire operation, saving customers a huge amount of time and providing them with far more flexibility in planning their trips. It will also reduce costs for our member airlines and free up time of airline and travel agency reservations agents to handle other tasks.” oneworld first to sell alliance fares on-line…

Unlike other round-the-world fares, oneworld Explorer’s price is based on the number of continents visited (three to six), not the mileage flown, making planning and pricing journeys much more simple and flexible. It covers flights worldwide by all oneworld member and affiliate airlines.

With oneworld the only airline alliance with members based in South America, Australia or Asia’s Middle East, it is just the ticket for anyone who truly wants to circumnavigate the globe. It offers great flexibility and value, generating the largest portion of the US$725 million revenues earned by oneworld for its member airlines through its alliance fares and sales activities last year.

Around 50,000 people bought a oneworld Explorer round-the-world ticket last year. oneworld Explorer can be booked for travel in Economy, Premium Economy (where available), Business or even First Class, and earn frequent flyer programme mileage awards and tier status points. Prices from the USA start at US$3,900, from the UK at GBP1,349, from Euro-zone countries at EUR1,999, and from Australia at A$3,499, all excluding any taxes, charges and surcharges. For lead-in prices from other countries and full details, see www.oneworld.com/ow/air-traveloptions/
round-the-world-fares/oneworld-explorer#fare-estimate

The on-line booking tool build on oneworld’s record for innovation. More than three years ago, it became the first of the global alliances to put in place interline e-ticketing (IET) links between all members of the grouping, enabling customers to travel with the convenience of just one electronic ticket for journeys involving any combination of alliance’s member airlines. Rival alliances have only recently completed links between their own member airlines.

Initially, oneworld Explorer itineraries ticketed through British Airways (generally when the first sector flown is on British Airways) will still need to have their payment processed through a British Airways sales outlet rather than on-line. The airline ticketing the itinerary will be displayed in the reservations’ confirmation page, before the booking is completed and payment requested. oneworld Explorer sectors in Premium Economy cabins cannot at this stage be booked on-line. oneworld developed the on-line booking engine in cooperation with Innovata, the global leader in travel related content management and content distribution, and Amadeus, the global distribution system, which also supports the majority of oneworld’s member airlines.

About oneworld oneworld brings together some of the best and biggest names in the airline business - American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Iberia, Japan Airlines, LAN, Malév Hungarian Airlines, Qantas and Royal Jordanian, and around 20 affiliates including American Eagle, Dragonair, LAN Argentina, LAN Ecuador and LAN Peru. Mexicana and its affiliate Click Mexicana will join the alliance in 2009.

Between them, these airlines
:
• Serve almost 700 airports in nearly 150 countries, with more than 9,000 daily departures.
• Offer nearly 550 airport lounges for premium customers.
• Carry some 320 million passengers a year.
• Employ 250,000 people and operate almost 2,500 aircraft.
• Generate more than US$100 billion annual revenues.

oneworld is the only alliance with any member airlines based in Australia, South America or Asia’s Middle East. The alliance enables its members to offer their customers more services and benefits than any airline can provide on its own. These include a broader route network, opportunities to earn and redeem frequent flyer miles and points across the combined oneworld network and more airport lounges. oneworld was voted the World’s Leading Airline Alliance for the sixth year running in the 2008 World Travel Awards, retaining the title ever since it was first presented.