I agree bigger is not always better in particular situations. However, in an airline alliance, how can bigger not be better? The more airlines in the alliance, the more destinations, options, airline lounges, etc. you can offer the customer. I am the poster boy for the Star Alliance, in a non-business traveler aspect. Star takes me where-ever I want to go, on one or more of their airlines. I get uprades on NZ, BD, LH, etc. just because of my status with UA. I get my premier exec bonus (100%) on all USAirways flights plus LH trans-Atlantic flights. I get to fly in SQ’s business class cabin for the 2nd time this summer, and I’ve never even purchased a revenue ticket from them. I can go on…

absolutely agreed on that.