U-FLY Alliance

U-FLY Alliance (simplified Chinese: 优行联盟; traditional Chinese: 優行聯盟) is the world's first alliance of low-cost carriers, formed in January 2016 between founding members HK Express, Lucky Air, Urumqi Air, and West Air.

All four founding airlines are affiliated with the HNA Group, with a focus on Hong Kong, mainland China, and Southeast Asia, but they are currently seeking new members which are not affiliated with HNA Group. Eastar Jet, a South Korean low-cost carrier, joined the alliance on 27 July 2016.

In 2017, U-Fly Alliance partner’s capacity included over 44 million seats, touching 18 countries, 149 airports and 339 city pairs. With over 129 aircraft currently in operation. By 2020, the alliance's members hope to have a fleet of over 218 aircraft. Of the 218 aircraft Lucky Air hopes to grow to 60 aircraft, West Air to 60, HK Express to 50, and Urumqi Air to 48.

Benefits can consist of:

• An extended network, often realised through codeshare agreements. Many alliances started as only codeshare networks.

Cost reduction from sharing of:

• sales offices
• maintenance facilities
• operational facilities, e.g. catering or computer systems
• operational staff, e.g. ground handling personnel, at check-in and boarding desks
• investments and purchases, e.g. in order to negotiate extra volume discounts

Traveler benefits can include:

• lower prices due to lowered operational costs for a given route
• more departure times to choose from on a given route
• more destinations within easy reach
• shorter travel times as a result of optimised transfers
• a wider range of airport lounges shared with alliance members
• fast track access on all alliance members if having frequent flyer status
• faster mileage rewards by earning miles for a single account on several different carriers
• round-the-world tickets, enabling travelers to fly over the world for a relatively low price

Airline alliances may also create disadvantages for the traveler, such as higher prices when competition is erased on a certain route and less frequent flights.

Contact Information

Headquarters

Email: media@uflyalliance.com
Website: www.uflyalliance.com

 

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