oneworld member airlines have two of the world's three best airport terminals as their home hubs, according to the latest awards presented by Skytrax, the independent air travel quality ratings agency - with British Airways' London Heathrow Terminal 5 named the best airport terminal worldwide and Iberia's Madrid Terminal 4 base third best, with Singapore Changi's Terminal 3 separating them.

QantasLink, the Australian oneworld member's regional affiliate, which is also part of the alliance, is to move operations at Sydney alongside the mainline airline's domestic services at the Qantas Domestic Terminal, Terminal 3 later this year.

Qantas today unveiled its new uniform, to be worn by all 12,600 of the airline's uniformed staff from early next year in its first change of wardrobe for 10 years.

A Boeing 737-800 operated by Lion Air landed in shallow water in the sea on approach to Denpasar after a domestic flight from Badung.   There were no fatalities among the 101 passengers and seven crew on board although local media reported a number of injuries.  Initial reports indicate that the aircraft, delivered just two months ago, will be beyond repair, with its fuselage broken in half.

American Airlines yesterday opened service between its Chicago O'Hare hub and the Dusseldorf base of oneworld partner airberlin, adding the German city to its network.

British Airways has signed an exclusive three-year sponsorship partnership with golfer Justin Rose, which will see BA act as the British world number three's "official global airline partner".

Qantas has opened its new lounge at Singapore.  The new facility has seats for 460, 20 showers, 80 ins television screens and "technology pods".  Service is provided by Sofitel, which also works with the airline at its Sydney and Melbourne First lounges.  For top-tier Qantas Frequent Flyers, this includes shirt-pressing and shoe-shining.

Two new destinations in the USA are to be joined to the oneworld network in June as American Airlines expands its schedule from key oneworld hub Los Angeles.

Los Angeles' Terminal 5, used by Delta and its SkyTeam partners, is to undergo a US$ 229 million renovation, doubling the size of its ticketing and security areas, renovating the Delta Club, and providing new baggage claim carousels and new food and retail outlets. 

Air China's frequent flyer programme has grown to be bigger than Lufthansa's, according to media reports.  Star's Chinese airline now has 27.5 million members of its Phoenix Miles loyalty programme.  Its SkyTeam competitor China Eastern has 18 million members of its Eastern Miles scheme.  By comparison, oneworld's Japan Airlines has 25 million people signed up to its JAL Mileage Bank programme, while American's AAdvantage has almost 70 million cardholders.