Mrniji From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Posted (8 years 9 months 2 weeks 2 days 20 hours ago) and read 1340 times:
The Economic Times reports that AI and LH will go for a global strategic alliance, which includes the extension of code-shared flights, cooperation in many other areas as well as a joint frequent flyer programme:
I don't really know anymore than is in the news strip, but it sure is good news for those of us that make use of both of these airlines regularly!
I completely agree - I am one of these persons! I can then stop to fill up my AF mileage with AI miles and rely on my LH M&M!
Cool. Maybe Air India is on the path to joining the Star Alliance? That would be great.
Considering that MoU are apparently also sought with AC, UA and BD, I think this is a significant step..
I am just wondering whether or not IC will join this partnership.. this could help LH to enhance its position within the Indian market
The LH webpage says that partnership begins 1st Oct. AI will offer nonstop connectivity to FRA from BLR and HYD, while LH will offer code-shared flights from Frankfurt to Berlin, Munich, Stuttgart and Düsseldorf to Amsterdam, Geneva, Zurich and Lyon as well as to Washington, Denver, Detroit, Chicago and Los Angeles.
Johnnybgoode From Germany, joined Jan 2001, 2187 posts, RR: 7 Reply 4, posted (8 years 9 months 2 weeks 2 days 5 hours ago) and read 1199 times:
i personally think that this partnership with AI is more a political decision. this way, LH gets more traffic rights to serve India which, needless to say, is a huge market.
the thing is, however, that AI has anything but a proper domestic coverage.
still, Jet Airways remains as the preferred interline partner of LH (if i'm not mistaken) since it's got a good coverage of India and has an adequate product, whereas AI has neither.
it's really going to be interesting to see what happens with this partnership in years to come. whenever a major airline teams up with LH it sparks rumors about said airline joining Star. but i'm pretty sure AI is nowhere close of joining. it even takes Air China years to come to quality standards that Star expects and i think AI is in no better shape.
cheers
daniel
If only pure sweetness was offered, why's this bitter taste left in my mouth.
Jasepl From India, joined Jul 2004, 3582 posts, RR: 44 Reply 5, posted (8 years 9 months 2 weeks 2 days 5 hours ago) and read 1197 times:
Thank you Daniel! Finally, somebody who sees it my way!
Heaven knows I'm no expert, but from the details that have emerged so far, this hook-up does absolutely nothing new or better for passengers. And just watch LH extract way more than their pound of flesh... I have a feeling that AI may place its code on LH's flights, but LH won't do the reverse. If that happens, it will remove all doubts about LH's real intentions, from my mind at least.
Mrniji From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 6, posted (8 years 9 months 2 weeks 1 day 23 hours ago) and read 1138 times:
This is an example for long-term planning of LH. AIs quality standards might not match yet, but the fleet will increase, improvement is anticipated. India is strategically ideally located. Hence, no wonder that LH might do some concessions at this point of time, but in the long-term a strong partner in India is a must.
I agree with the comments on the internal network and hope that IC will join this 'alliance' (actually that IC will be merged with AI )
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