A new fresh alliance would be nice

RE: A new fresh alliance would be nice

Star could never be too big. The more the merrier, is what I always say. They are still 2 members short, in my opinion, even with the recent addition of Spanair, Asiana, and LOT. Actually, I don’t think they needed any of those 3. Spanair is a good addition, but they had Asia pretty well covered already and eastern Europe with Austrian and Lufthansa. As far as the Spacebed discussion goes, as I’ve said once before, it’s amazing how one topic stems 2 or 3 others. That’s what a forum is all about. I’ll gladly discuss either/or.

GD1

RE: A new fresh alliance would be nice

I was talking about an alliance that would be nice to my eyes.

I have worked for Spanair, BMI, SAS and now Lufthansa, so believe me, I have nothing against Star Alliance apart that it being too big now.

And yes Swiss seems to be wanting to enter OneWorld and SAA could be joining an alliance soon although I doubt it is SkyTeam.

And about JAL, I really think they should also enter an alliance although if I’m correct, JAL has very strong biz links with AirFrance so I see them more in SkyTeam than in OneWorld.

I took Wings as an example because I am very fond of KLM (yes, I worked for them too) and this was just to imagine which could a fourth interesting alternative. Anyway, thank you all for discussing this although some seem more interested in space beds (just kidding).

RE: A new fresh alliance would be nice

JAL is indeed most likely to join oneWorld, there have been links for a while, but I think that it could be in by the end of the year. SWISS is also most likely going to join oneWorld and they have openly stated their preference for this. They already codeshare with American.

South African seems to have other concerns at the moment, but would be an ideal candidate to get into an alliance. Malaysia Airlines is likely to enter into some sort of alliance with Wings…you forgot to mention them. Also Garuda has strong links with Wings through KLM.

The reality is that wings probably won’t expand anymore and will eventually collapse with the members moving to a more dominant alliance.

By market nature there is a limit to the number of alliances that can operate, the reason that we have alliances is because of ownership rules which prevent international purchasing of airlines, yet there are too many airlines in a market which would be better served by a smaller number of large airlines, and the alliances are a model of this.

I have an interest in alliances and have done work on them,so would be happy to continue this discussion with anyone who’s interested.

RE: A new fresh alliance would be nice

Well, the SIN-LHR flight is definitely on 747-400, so, hopefully my 1 flight is the one of the 3 advertised so far that has it. On the return, AMS-SIN I’m on a 777-200 and on the SIN-SYD it’s a 777-300 (1 of 3 flights using this aircraft). Even if I don’t get a spacebed, I have the exit row seat on the upper deck of the 744, which is probably my favorite seat of all time. A spacebed would be VERY nice on the 777’s, however, as I don’t have an exit row, nor an upper deck view there. I’m actually really bummed I didn’t get an A340-300. With only 7 left, I did research and apparantly they were all pulled from the European runs. Just late 2001 they were still doing 3 times weekly SIN-ATH with the A340, but now that’s with a 777-200.

GD1

RE: A new fresh alliance would be nice

The Spacebed is currently only avaliable on the SIN-LHR-SIN flights, so you might be in luck for 1 of your 4 sectors…

RE: A new fresh alliance would be nice

having ties is not even near of having the advantages that a member of an alliance has….i dont think Swiss will go in a new boy alliance. GD1 if you are in a SIA B777….you might get a spacebed 🙂 …only 3 till know have been fitted with them.

RE: A new fresh alliance would be nice

I thought JAL had ties with Oneworld members? South African I thought had ties with Skyteam. Comparing Star to the Empire, I could live with that. I love Darth Vader! In fact, I love the Star Alliance. I am flying SYD-SIN-LHR and AMS-SIN-SYD on return on Singapore airlines, business class (hopefully I get the spacebed!) using my mileage, none of which was even accrued on SIA. I’ve never flown them, even though it’s the one airline I’ve been wanting to fly for years now. My mileage was accrued mostly on United, but also on Lufthansa, Mexicana, Austrian, and AirNewland. This summer I’ll be flying BMI for the first time. The point is, had it not been for them entering Star, I wouldn’t be flying them right now. I also wouldn’t be upgrading to business class on the way down to AKL from LAX, on UA’s 777. You gotta’ love alliances.

GD1