Swiss set to join BA frequent flyer programme

Swiss is on course to reach a deal with BA (Swiss) RTS

Switzerland's national airline, Swiss, says it is near to agreement with BA on a joint frequent flyer programme.

The move could take Swiss a step closer to its goal of full membership in the Oneworld global alliance led by British Airways and American Airlines.

Full membership in the group is seen as the key for Swiss – which was set up earlier this year after the collapse of Swissair – to return a profit by next year.

A spokesman for Swiss confirmed reports that the airline was close to linking its Qualiflyer programme with BA’s frequent flyer programme.

“We have been in discussions with British Airways about a frequent flyer programme and we have more or less agreed on the terms,” the spokesman said, adding that the deal still needed the approval of cartel authorities.

“The two airlines will probably exchange their frequent flyer plans in the sense that holders of British Airways executive club miles can have free rides on Swiss and vice versa, holders of Qualiflyer miles can use the flights of British Airways,” aviation expert Sepp Moser told swissinfo.

American alliance

Swiss already cooperates closely with American Airlines – the other senior partner in the Oneworld alliance – with extensive code sharing of joint flights and reciprocal membership of frequent flyer programmes.

But analysts say BA has been reluctant to extend the same benefits to Swiss out of concern that Swiss is competing for the same transatlantic business as the British airline.

The spokesman said talks were still continuing over Swiss’s membership of Oneworld, but he said the agreement with BA was “a good sign”.

Other partners in the Oneworld alliance include Aer Lingus, Iberia, Cathay Pacific and Qantas.

Analysts say Swiss’s home market of seven million people is too small to justify the size of the airline and full membership in a global alliance is vital if Swiss is to utilise its fleet efficiently.

But, according to Moser, Swiss will have to reduce its fleet if it is to stand any chance of being admitted to Oneworld.

“If they keep this fleet [of 52 medium- and long-haul aircraft] they will never get access as a full member to any alliance.”

Membership of Oneworld would give added prestige to Swiss, which has been struggling to deal with a series of operational and technical problems.

Last week the airline appointed an airline safety expert, Karel Ledeboer, to resolve all outstanding problems.

Swiss’s predecessor, Swissair, collapsed last year amid mounting debts.

swissinfo

Swiss summary

Swiss was set up as a successor to Swissair, which collapsed under a mountain of debt.
Membership of the Oneworld alliance is a strategic goal for Swiss.
The Oneworld alliance is led by British Airways and American Airlines.
Swiss last week appointed an airline safety expert, Karel Ledeboer, to resolve the company’s technical and operational problems.