Oneworld Headquarters Moving To Fort Worth, Texas

Oneworld Headquarters Moving To Fort Worth, Texas

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The oneworld alliance has announced plans to move its headquarters. I’m not reading too much into this, but maybe I’m just naive.

oneworld alliance moving to Texas

As of December 2022, the oneworld alliance will move its global headquarters to the Dallas-Fort Worth region. Specifically, the company will be moving to American Airlines’ 300-acre Robert L. Crandall Campus (known as Skyview), adjacent to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW).

For context, the oneworld alliance was founded in 1999, and the alliance’s central management team was initially based in Vancouver, before moving to New York in 2011.

As it’s described, moving to the headquarters of the largest airline in the world “will further accelerate the alliance’s drive to deliver greater value for its member airlines and customers.” Furthermore, it’s claimed that this will allow the alliance to tap into the significant aviation talent pool in Texas, as it’s the state with the most air transportation jobs.

Here’s how oneworld CEO Rob Gurney describes this move:

“As our industry recovers from COVID-19, alliances and partnerships have continued to deepen. With our new home in Fort Worth, we anticipate even closer collaboration with American and our member airlines as we work side by side to further grow and strengthen oneworld.”

Meanwhile here’s how oneworld Chairman and Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker describes this move:

“It is a significant step to relocate our oneworld global headquarters to the state-of-the-art Robert L. Crandall Campus to be close to American Airlines, one of our founder members. Its home hub at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport is one of the largest airports in our alliance and serviced by eight members, demonstrating its unrivalled connectivity and importance to travellers as a global hub.”

oneworld is co-locating with American Airlines

Are there any implications to this move?

On the surface it seems logical for the oneworld alliance to move to the Dallas area, given that it’s the hub airport of the alliance’s largest airline. As a point of comparison, Star Alliance is based in Frankfurt (Lufthansa’s hub), while SkyTeam is based in Amsterdam (KLM’s hub).

In that sense, I always found the oneworld alliance’s headquarters to be a bit odd. The oneworld alliance was initially based in Vancouver, as Canadian Airlines was a founding member, until it was acquired by Air Canada, as it left the alliance within a year. Then the alliance moved to New York, which is of course a global business hub, but wasn’t a major hub for any oneworld airline (American has historically been the smallest of the “big three” US carriers in the NYC area).

Moving to American Airlines’ headquarters seems logical enough. Not only do I imagine this this will result in significant cost savings, but it’ll make it easier for the alliance to cooperate with its biggest member, American Airlines. If anything, the only surprise here is that the alliance isn’t moving to Doha. 😉

The oneworld alliance has in my opinion been the most impressive alliance in recent years. While other alliances have more or less given up on growing, oneworld continues to expand. Not only has oneworld added Alaska Airlines and Royal Air Maroc in the past couple of years, but the alliance is continuing to grow, with Oman Air expected to join soon.

Oman Air will be joining the oneworld alliance soon

Bottom line

The oneworld alliance will be moving its headquarters from New York to Fort Worth, Texas. This will presumably not only result in cost savings, but will also allow the alliance to be closer to its largest member airline. As consumers there shouldn’t be any major implications here.

What do you make of the oneworld alliance moving to Fort Worth?

Conversations (86)
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  1. Anthony W Guest

    Do you think now OneWorld might finally sort out their mobile app which is arguably one of the worst apps ever and crashes almost immediately.

  2. Guest Guest

    Sad to see fellow Americans going against others in a different state while being part of the same country. It's time to skip this hatred towards each other and treat other as fellow Americans and hope for the best for others even if they are not in the same state. Companies move all the time based on the incentives doesn't mean people in other state are bad. Time to grow up America and don't fall for the false bots propaganda on social media

  3. Dan Guest

    Everybody talks about things moving out of NYC - it’s the financial capital of the world. They’ll be fine. When more corporations move to Texas, bringing more diverse and liberally minded people, the politics of Texas will eventually change. Look at California - the home of Ronald Reagan and the golden child of trickle down economics of the 60s and 70s of California state politics. Now, arguably the most liberal politics in the nation. Taxes...

    Everybody talks about things moving out of NYC - it’s the financial capital of the world. They’ll be fine. When more corporations move to Texas, bringing more diverse and liberally minded people, the politics of Texas will eventually change. Look at California - the home of Ronald Reagan and the golden child of trickle down economics of the 60s and 70s of California state politics. Now, arguably the most liberal politics in the nation. Taxes will eventually have to go up to pay for the lack of investment in social and economic infrastructure (how quickly we forget the entire state lost power because of catastrophically underfunded power grid). Somebody got pay for all that.

    4 more replies
  4. Euro Aviation Guest

    Will they be given access to the upcoming Skyview 6 swimming pool and other facilities?

  5. Justin Guest

    The LinkedIn page for Oneworld says the company has less than 50 employees so this really seems like a very marginal move with little impact on the DFW economy or any implication for the Oneworld alliance’s strategy which will continue to be driven by its member airlines, not its head office staff.

  6. M. McClure Guest

    Any move to Texas is suspect. Texas is a right-to-work-for-less state with fewer worker protections, lower pay, and inferior benefits. It is nearly ideal for a company and a nightmare for workers.

  7. Ross Guest

    What Texans save in state income tax, they pay in higher real estate and sales taxes, compared with many states. Move the HQ to Las Vegas, if that's what you're worried about. What I would worry about, is who in their right mind wants to live and raise a family in Texas?

    1. Timo Diamond

      True, property taxes are higher but still lower than what most states collect for income tax. No comment on your "worry"

  8. globetrotter Guest

    Hmmm. The US has the lowest tax rates among the developed countries. Yet its citizens and corporations value tax incentives as the top priority in life and continue to constantly bitch about high taxes. Taxes are used to pay salaries, benefits and pensions to public employees, social/ educational/ medical services in society, and maintain upkeep of infrastructures and safety measures for all. The only consistent policy of the Republican Party is tax cut. Has there...

    Hmmm. The US has the lowest tax rates among the developed countries. Yet its citizens and corporations value tax incentives as the top priority in life and continue to constantly bitch about high taxes. Taxes are used to pay salaries, benefits and pensions to public employees, social/ educational/ medical services in society, and maintain upkeep of infrastructures and safety measures for all. The only consistent policy of the Republican Party is tax cut. Has there ever been a Republican president since WWII who did not face recession on his watch? Enlighten us. Never use or intent to use medicare after age 65? Devilish socialism. Never sought unemployment insurance during working years? Evil socialism again. Texas is in the news for many of the unimaginable and inexplicable headlines in the country from Susan Smith who drowned her five kids in the bathtub to Uvalde PD whose three hundreds plus of armed cops surrounded the school waiting and watching a dozen elementary kids and teachers die in the hands of a lone teenage shooter. Nothing much to rave about Texas.

    1 more reply
  9. Miles Ahead Guest

    Ah, tons of extra unused office space available on AA campus since pandamic. Why pay rent and other building costs elsewhere?

    1. BenjaminGuttery Diamond

      They are still expanding the HQ and have land and site plans for additional buildings. But yes, makes sense to share building costs/maintenance/staff.

  10. Stuart Guest

    It's clear that OneWorld airlines are just maneuvering in hopes of having more access to Turkey Pastrami sandwiches. The secret recipe is well guarded, but now...

  11. Alonzo Diamond

    Lots of major companies are moving out of the northeast. NY, NJ and CT better wake up and smell the tax breaks.

    4 more replies
  12. Tim Dunn Diamond

    AA clearly built way more at its headquarters facility so it makes sense to rent some of it out to a "friend"
    The entire southern tier of the US is exploding in growth and have some of the best business friendly policies so there will be more growth.

    Oneworld is the smallest of the 3 alliances so I'm not sure it is accurate to say that they are being the most aggressive in growing;...

    AA clearly built way more at its headquarters facility so it makes sense to rent some of it out to a "friend"
    The entire southern tier of the US is exploding in growth and have some of the best business friendly policies so there will be more growth.

    Oneworld is the smallest of the 3 alliances so I'm not sure it is accurate to say that they are being the most aggressive in growing; they are behind star and skyteam and that isn't going to be rectified anytime soon.
    Add in that Hong Kong is dropping in significance and oneworld is not making huge forward motion.

    5 more replies
  13. david Guest

    "A 2022 study released by national moving company United Van Lines ranked New York as third in the country for highest rates of outbound migration, with the number of residents leave the state almost double the number moving in."

    1. JH Guest

      JetBlue will likely be relocating to Florida (Orlando? Miramar?) once the Spirit acquisition is complete.

  14. DaninMCI Guest

    They didn't want it in London since no one can afford the YQ charges to get there on points.

  15. BenjaminGuttery Diamond

    Best new ever! I live in Fort Worth (which is now bigger than San Francisco, Boston, Washington D.C., Nashville, Seattle, Denver, & Charlotte ALL ON IT'S OWN WITHOUT Dallas. Fort Worth is the 13th largest citu the US on its own. Plus, DFW will soon surpass Chicagoland as the 3rd largest MSA in the U.S. 6 Fortune 500 companies have relocated to DFW in the past 5 years, and more are soon to follow (looking...

    Best new ever! I live in Fort Worth (which is now bigger than San Francisco, Boston, Washington D.C., Nashville, Seattle, Denver, & Charlotte ALL ON IT'S OWN WITHOUT Dallas. Fort Worth is the 13th largest citu the US on its own. Plus, DFW will soon surpass Chicagoland as the 3rd largest MSA in the U.S. 6 Fortune 500 companies have relocated to DFW in the past 5 years, and more are soon to follow (looking at you Wells Fargo and Goldman Sachs...). Makes total sense from anyway you look at it. MYC is a cesspool of crime and high taxes. Best decision OneWorld has made! Welcome to TEXAS!!!

    2 more replies
  16. Tony W Guest

    Seems smart and obvious. In other words, overdue.

  17. Annie Guest

    Anyone who moved to TX knows just how much more expensive property tax and electricity bills (due to the incessant need for aircon) are. Plus lots of expenses on car and gas -- you can't even buy groceries without one (there literally are no corner stores here) and public transportation is a complete and utter joke. And thank goodness we don't have daughters, as the oppressive government dictates their reproductive health.

  18. James M Guest

    NYC crime is out-of-control.

    The tax savings will eventually pay for the move.

    Enough said.

    1 more reply
  19. DEE Guest

    ANd their employees will save a ton of $$$$ with NO State Income Tax ,county paurol tqax or city payroll tax ..figure 20% or more in TAX savings...good for them and the company!!!! nd real estate ois cheaper in TEXAS just like in Florida vs New York/New Jersey?CT/Calif etc!!! win win for them.......

    6 more replies
  20. Barry Guest

    All LGBTQ one world employees asked to transfer from NYC to DFW have to ask if they will be welcome. Texas isn't very friendly towards you. Same for any females of child bearing age who might view reproductive freedom as important.

    12 more replies
  21. iv Member

    Canadian Airlines International was a founding member of Oneworld.

    1. Kiwi Member

      Good old Canadian Pacific Airways, CP Airways, CAi, Canadian Airlines. I still torn between the original burnt orange livery and the updated flying goose livery

  22. Mike O. Guest

    Speaking of oneworld, I for one would like to see more a/c in their alliance scheme. CX has the oneworld livery on 4 of their 77W's as well as a sole A330 but in their previous scheme, and I think BA doesn't have any a/c in alliance colours. I would love to see oneworld colours on any CX Airbus, maybe BA's A350 or 777s, QF's upcoming A350s or 787s and so on.

  23. DS Guest

    Oneworld did indeed have a Canadian airline as a founding member. Google is your friend.

  24. FNT Delta Diamond Guest

    Are there really that many staff? I imagine the airline alliances all have small staffs. What do they do besides coordinate schedules and maybe process revenue sharing or payments between member airlines?

    1 more reply
  25. Never In Doubt Guest

    Awaiting Tim Dunn’s take on why this is, of course, a bad move/shows weakness by American, vs. whatever Delta’s done with SkyTeam, which is, of course, genius/a play from strength for them.

    1 more reply
  26. 23H Guest

    Worth noting that Canadian Airlines International was a founding oneworld member - they’ve just been gone for about 20 years.

    CP was based in Calgary with significant international services from Vancouver.

    1 more reply
  27. Roman Guest

    If I had to guess, I would think this move is also for tax implications, TX vs NY as well as addressing logistical challenges. Possibly received a corporate tax break from TX to relocate...

    5 more replies
Featured Comments Most helpful comments ( as chosen by the OMAAT community ).

The comments on this page have not been provided, reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any advertiser, and it is not an advertiser's responsibility to ensure posts and/or questions are answered.

iv Member

Canadian Airlines International was a founding member of Oneworld.

7
Alonzo Diamond

Lots of major companies are moving out of the northeast. NY, NJ and CT better wake up and smell the tax breaks.

5
david Guest

"A 2022 study released by national moving company United Van Lines ranked New York as third in the country for highest rates of outbound migration, with the number of residents leave the state almost double the number moving in."

5
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