First Class Wine, Economy Battles

Airlines fight hard for passengers, but behind the scenes, alliances also battle for prestige. In the latest round of the Cellars in the Sky Awards, Oneworld took home the "Best Alliance" trophy. Oneworld airlines swept up 21 gold medals in total. Qantas was the star of the show with nine golds, while Cathay Pacific and Qatar Airways took four each. Malaysia Airlines grabbed two, with British Airways and Alaska Airlines taking one apiece. It’s a nice reminder of what makes Oneworld the alliance of choice for premium travel.

Philippine Airlines Joins the Family

Philippine Airlines (PAL) is officially joining Oneworld, signing the paperwork in Rio. They'll be fully integrated by 2027, making them the 16th member airline and the second Southeast Asian carrier alongside Malaysia Airlines. This adds 31 new destinations (including Cebu, Davao, Palawan, and Siargao) and turns Manila's airport into a major alliance hub. By 2027, Mabuhay Miles members can earn/redeem across Oneworld, and elite members get reciprocal lounge access. This counters Starlux’s ambitions, and with PAL adding A350-1000s and a Manila-Chicago route in November 2026, it's a huge win for travelers.

Hawaiian Airlines + Atmos Rewards

Hawaiian Airlines is now officially in Oneworld as of late April 2026, following the Alaska Airlines merger. This bypasses the typical multi-year queue, making Honolulu a primary hub. The big news is the retirement of HawaiianMiles and Alaska Mileage Plan, replaced in August 2025 by a new loyalty program: Atmos Rewards. It's a hybrid system based on fare paid (excluding taxes/fees) and distance flown. Here's a quick look at the elite tiers:

British Airways "Avios-Only" October Flights

Finding award availability during school holidays is notoriously difficult. To help families, British Airways has released new "Avios-Only" flights where every single seat is reserved for points redemptions. The new routes cover the October 2026 half-term: London Heathrow to Tenerife South (departing Oct 24, returning Oct 31) and London Heathrow to Reykjavik (departing Oct 25, returning Nov 1). Return flights start at 33,500 Avios + £5 in Economy, or 60,000 Avios + £40 in Business (includes lounges and bags). You can also apply Companion Vouchers here for double value.

Today's Hot Award Alerts

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  Last-Minute Business Class to Hong Kong: Qantas just released a large wave of seats for travel this week. We're seeing 5+ seats in Premium Economy (70,800 points) and Business Class (90,000 points) from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth directly to Hong Kong.
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  Q-Suites to Tokyo: The wide-open February 2026 Business Class award space from London to Tokyo Haneda that we shared yesterday is selling out fast. Book now for 80,000 Avios before they are gone.