VANCOUVER—American Airlines, British Airways, Canadian Airlines, Cathay Pacific Airways and Qantas Airways today welcomed Linea Aerea Nacional de Chile (LanChile) as the newest member of oneworld?. LanChile will be the eighth member of the global airline alliance and the third carrier to join since oneworld was announced last September. Finnair and Iberia also recently entered the alliance and plan to offer oneworld services and benefits later this year.

LanChile plans to start offering oneworld services and benefits in 2000, after its customer service employees have taken part in the oneworld training and communications program, and after its computer systems have been linked with those of the other oneworld carriers.

Speaking on behalf of the oneworld members, Don Carty, American’s Chairman and Chief Executive, said: “This is a great day for oneworld, and for our customers all around the world, as we welcome another great airline into the alliance. LanChile is well known and respected for its quality and its customer focus. Its routes will broaden the oneworld network, which will make global travel much more convenient for our customers.”

Enrique Cueto, LanChile’s Chief Executive said, “We are delighted to join oneworld. This is a very important occasion for LanChile, as we take our place beside some of the best airlines in the world. We look forward to this opportunity to expand the service we offer our customers. We also look forward to welcoming on board new customers from around the world and demonstrating to them our dedication to providing world class service to and from Latin America.”

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