SriLankan Airlines becomes part of one world® from midnight tonight, offering the full range of services and benefits of the world’s fastest growing and highest rated global airline alliance.

It becomes the first carrier from the Indian subcontinent to join any of the global airline alliances – and completes one world’s biggest expansion programme since the alliance was launched 15 years ago.

The airline’s addition to one world will bring two new destinations on to the alliance network – Hambantota plus India’s Tiruchirapalli – along with its Colombo base as a new one world hub. With an extensive schedule serving southern India and as the leading international airline serving the Maldives, SriLankan also significantly strengthens one world’s presence throughout South Asia, one of the world’s fastest growing regions for air travel demand.

The 180 million members of the established one world airlines’ frequent flyer programmes will be able to earn rewards and tier status points and receive all other one world benefits when flying on SriLankan and redeem awards on the airline’s network.

As part of one world, SriLankan will be able to offer all of its customers seamless connections across a global network serving almost 1,000 destinations in more than 150 countries, with first rate connections between the world’s leading business centres.

SriLankan is already participating in Global Explorer, the round-the-world fare offered by all one world members and various airlines that are not part of the alliance. Its network will be covered by one world’s full range of alliance fares – the most extensive offered by any of the global alliances, including the market-leading one world Explorer round-the-world fare.

This range of alliance fares will be further extended with the addition of a new Visit South Asian Sub-Continent pass, marking SriLankan’s addition to one world, and offering great value flights in the region in conjunction with an international sector there.

one world Governing Board CEO Bruce Ashby said: “The addition of SriLankan Airlines concludes what has been the biggest and fastest growth programme by any global airline alliance, enabling one world to consolidate its position as the first choice global alliance for frequent international travelers the world over. In SriLankan, we are delighted to be adding another high quality, fast expanding carrier to the world’s fastest growing and most highly rated global airline alliance.”

For more information visit oneworld.com.

Bonus Qantas Points to mark SriLankan’s oneworld entry

SriLankan Airlines’ addition to one world® is being celebrated by a special double miles offer for frequent flyers on most oneworld partners.

For a limited time Qantas Frequent Flyers can earn double Qantas Points when flying on eligible SriLankan Airlines flights between 15 May and 30 June 2014. Further detail will be available for members from tomorrow on qantas.com.