After Star Alliance, OneWorld has become the second most popular global airline alliance with some challenges in recognizing status across their member airlines, jointly competing with SkyTeam.

One World has some adjustments to make to reach the status of rival Star Alliance. The new CEO Nat Pieper from Alaska Airlines is ready to take on the challenge and has the experience to succeed.

At oneworld, status passengers have access to airline lounges and priority lines across the alliance, but when it comes to changing tickets, getting on an earlier flight, and getting access to priority customer care throughout the alliance, the ownership of any ticket falls on one airline. It makes it often impossible to have a smooth travel experience the alliance is promoting.

My 5-Star Qatar Airways 2-Star Airline Experience Was Still Excellent

Access to premium customer service is restricted only to the airline a premium passenger is showing loyalty to. Such a premium customer is blocked from enjoying efficient service on an alliance rival carrier or throughout the network if numerous airlines are involved in an itinerary.

Perhaps under the newly appointed CEO Nathaniel (Nat) Pieper, this could change, allowing the alliance to expand more, become a favorite among the flying public, or compete better with rival alliances, such as Star Alliance or Skyteam.

Oman Air is set to join the alliance as the 14^thmember airline in 2024 as the second Gulf-based carrier after Qatar Airways.

The new oneworld CEO Nathaniel (Nat) Pieper, will take the helm at oneworld on April 1. He is currently working for one of the most progressive oneworld member airlines in the system, Alaska Airlines.

Alaska Airlines is about to take in Hawaiian Airlines and operate as one entity.

Hawaiian Airlines Gone!

As CEO, Pieper will lead oneworld through its 25th anniversary celebration year and focus on strengthening the alliance between its partners. Pieper will report to the alliance’s Governing Board, comprised of the member airline CEOs.

Robert Isom, American Airlines Chief Executive Officer and oneworld alliance Chairman said: “We are excited to welcome Nat Pieper into the role of CEO at oneworld and look forward to the alliance continuing its journey of innovation and collaboration under his leadership.

With more than 25 years of working in the industry, Nat has the experience to enhance oneworld’s position as the premier airline alliance, modernizing travel for millions of customers and oneworld frequent flyers.”

In his current position at Alaska Airlines, Pieper orchestrated the airline’s entrance into oneworld, executed aircraft transactions valued over $9 billion, and secured access to $5 billion in liquidity to ensure Alaska’s viability through the pandemic.

Previously, Pieper held executive positions at Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines overseeing international, strategic, alliance, and financial functions.

Nat Pieper said, “In my airline career, I have admired from afar and now experienced first-hand the influence and benefits the oneworld alliance brings to an airline and its customers.

I am thrilled to join the oneworld family and look forward to working with all of the best-in-class carriers that are part of our alliance. The future of the oneworld alliance is bright and I am ready to continue to develop the alliance into its next 25 years.”

Pieper holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Duke University and a Master of Business Administration in finance, strategy, and transportation management from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.

When he joined Alaska Airlines on August 1, 2019, Piper had a broad scope of responsibilities including the acquisition and financing of Alaska’s mainline and regional aircraft and oversight of the company’s treasury activities.

“Nat’s deep experience with aircraft transactions and well-established relationships in the industry make him perfectly suited for this role,” said Brandon Pedersen, Alaska’s chief financial officer in 2019.

Pieper also served as a senior leader for alliances. Pieper’s long-standing relationships with airlines around the world helped to enhance Alaska’s global partners program. Alaska Airlines joined oneworld on March 31, 2021.

oneworld brings together 13 world-class airlines, including