ONEWORLD: Philippine Airlines is joining, and that’s good news for Australian travellers

Philippine Airlines (PAL) is preparing to join the oneworld alliance, bringing a Southeast Asian carrier into the same airline family as Qantas.

The Philippine flag carrier has signed a Memorandum of Understanding to become oneworld’s 16th member, following an invitation from the alliance’s governing board. The announcement was made at the International Air Transport Association annual meeting in Rio de Janeiro on 6 June 2026.

There is no firm joining date yet, but sometime, probably late in 2027, is possible. PAL must first complete the technical, operational, and frequent flyer integration required for full membership. That usually takes a year, and sometimes a lot longer.

What it means for Qantas Frequent Flyers

For Australians, the biggest benefit will be closer integration between Philippine Airlines and Qantas Frequent Flyer.

Qantas members can already use Qantas Points to book Classic Flight Rewards on eligible PAL services under a partnership launched in May 2026. Full oneworld membership should eventually add reciprocal points earning, status credits and alliance benefits, although the precise arrangements and eligible fare classes have not yet been announced.

Eligible Qantas Gold, Platinum and Platinum One members should also receive the usual oneworld Sapphire and Emerald privileges when flying PAL. Depending on the status and itinerary, these can include lounge access, priority check-in, priority boarding, additional baggage, and priority baggage delivery.

PAL’s Mabuhay Miles members will gain similar privileges when flying Qantas and the other oneworld carriers.

The only incompatibility between the current Mabuhay Miles and OneWorld loyalty levels is Platinum/Emerald and the Mabuhay Miles Million Miler tier, which is a lifetime status. Looks like they will need to introduce another tier.

That is a substantial upgrade for PAL’s frequent flyers, who will eventually gain access to more than 700 airport lounges across the alliance network.

PAL already has a useful Australian network

Philippine Airlines currently operates nonstop flights between Manila and Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth. Manila provides onward connections across PAL’s domestic network and into Asia, North America and the Middle East.

PAL says its entry will add 31 destinations not currently served by another oneworld member. Many are domestic points scattered across the Philippine archipelago — precisely the sort of places that can be awkward to reach using alliance points.

PAL operates 29 domestic and 40 international destinations from its Manila and Cebu hubs.

More reward seats — maybe

The most immediate attraction for Qantas members is the possibility of access to additional reward seats.

Qantas and PAL’s recently launched partnership already allows Classic Reward bookings across PAL’s network. Alliance membership should deepen and make the relationship more consistent, particularly in ticketing, baggage handling, and recognition of frequent-flyer status.

It could also make PAL a useful alternative when Qantas, Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines or Malaysia Airlines reward seats are thin on the ground.

That does not mean seats will suddenly rain from the heavens. Reward availability remains controlled by the operating airline, and alliance membership is no guarantee that the flights you want will appear when you want them.

Manila becomes more useful to oneworld

The OneWorld alliance already includes Malaysia Airlines and has a strong regional presence through Qantas, Cathay Pacific and Japan Airlines, but it has lacked a member based in the Philippines.

This should assist OneWorld airlines to compete with Star Alliance member Singapore Airlines and SkyTeam carriers, including Garuda Indonesia and Vietnam Airlines.

American Airlines chief executive Robert Isom, who chairs the OneWorld governing board, said PAL would play a “critical role” in the alliance’s Southeast Asian network.

Corporate enthusiasm aside, he has a point. The Philippines is a major market with strong family, business and tourism links to Australia, yet it has remained something of a blank spot on the oneworld map.

When will Philippine Airlines join?

The airlines have announced an agreement to proceed, not a completed membership.

PAL will now begin the integration process, which typically involves aligning reservation systems, frequent-flyer recognition, lounge arrangements, baggage handling, and other passenger services.

Neither Philippine Airlines nor OneWorld has announced a formal entry date. 2027 would be the earliest, as integration takes time.

Until then, existing Qantas–PAL reward arrangements remain in place, but travellers should not assume that OneWorld status benefits apply to Philippine Airlines flights.

2PAXfly Takeout

This additional member to OneWorld will strengthen the alliance. Historically, OneWorld, with 16 members, has been the smallest of the three major alliances, including SkyTeam (19 members) and Star Alliance (26 members). Perhaps more importantly, it fills a gap in the alliance’s Asian coverage.

Although Qantas has an existing partnership with Philippine Airlines, OneWorld membership will provide mutual benefits between the airlines, especially the ability to earn and burn points and status credits.

The Philippines is on my destination wish list, so this alignment with OneWorld will offer additional exciting Qantas points redemption opportunities.