Emirates have always been a target for Star, but it has mainly been EK’s resistance to an alliance that has slowed things down. EK have always been a bit like this – witness how long it took them to set up a frequent flyer program, for example. Maybe EK will remain alone, but the alliances bandwagon is still rolling and sooner or later one of the other progressive Middle East carriers will sign up (Qatar, Etihad or even Gulf) and then maybe EK will have less choice about which alliance it goes into if it finally does decide to go the alliance route.
I am very surprised/shocked that EK is one of the only ‘major’ full service airlines that are not in an alliance….I doubt it will be long though.
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