According to this article "a significant membership development will take place on 8 October in New York. The online news service said it had seen documents that said the meeting would include Bruce Ashby, chief executive of Oneworld, Tom Horton, chairman and chief executive of American Airlines, and Willie Walsh, chief executive of International Airlines Group (IAG).
The article states that US media reports suggest that the announcement will be that QR will join OW. QR recently denied reports that they were in talks with BA to set up a agreement like that recently reached between EK and QF. QR have however not denied or confirmed reports that they are to join OW.
Personally I think there is a high chance that this report is true.
Is it also possible that the announcement could be that OW will add more than one new member??. If so who??
LHRFlyer From United Kingdom, joined Apr 2010, 740 posts, RR: 1 Reply 1, posted (7 months 3 weeks 4 hours ago) and read 16466 times:
Well if you believe some of the threads on here it must be Oneworld announcing the closure of the alliance because there's just no point any more because of the EK and QF partnership!!
The fact that the announcement is in the Americas suggests that it might be TAM. I would have thought an announcement regarding QR would take place on the other side of the atlantic, but you never know.
Bill142 From Australia, joined Aug 2004, 8320 posts, RR: 9 Reply 3, posted (7 months 3 weeks 4 hours ago) and read 16305 times:
Quoting LHRFlyer (Reply 1): The fact that the announcement is in the Americas suggests that it might be TAM. I would have
thought an announcement regarding QR would take place on the other side of the atlantic, but you never know.
Doubt it's TAM. Since Willie Walsh is showing up it will be IAG sponsoring QR into oneworld. Tim Horton will only be there in capacity as oneworld chairman.
If you look at all the public love making between Walsh and Al Baker lately, seems obvious.
Quote: Qatar Airways has no plans to join the oneworld airline alliance, its Chief Executive Akbar al-Baker said on Sunday, dismissing reports that the airline had become the newest member of the group as "rumor."
Asked if the carrier would join oneworld, which includes British Airways, owned by IAG (ICAG.L), Baker said: "No, we will not. It's all rumors."
Atrude777 From United States of America, joined Aug 2003, 5613 posts, RR: 54 Reply 6, posted (7 months 2 weeks 6 days 23 hours ago) and read 15418 times:
Quoting etops1 (Reply 5): Anyone ever think it could be USAirways joining Oneworld ?
If we're to follow history of what United and Continental did, CO left Sky Team to join Star Alliance before the merger happened, it could be possible that US would be joining it if that was the example we used.
Very excited to hear what the actual news is!
Alex
Good things come to those who wait, better things come to those who go AFTER it!
USAirALB From United States of America, joined Sep 2007, 2680 posts, RR: 1 Reply 7, posted (7 months 2 weeks 6 days 20 hours ago) and read 14816 times:
Quoting etops1 (Reply 5): Anyone ever think it could be USAirways joining Oneworld ?
T8KE0FF From United Kingdom, joined Apr 2009, 400 posts, RR: 1 Reply 8, posted (7 months 2 weeks 6 days 20 hours ago) and read 14712 times:
Quoting LHRFlyer (Reply 1): Well if you believe some of the threads on here it must be Oneworld announcing the closure of the alliance because there's just no point any more because of the EK and QF partnership!!
I just choked on my food whilst reading that, hahah! Seriously looking forward to what comes out of this on the 8th...
ripcordd From United States of America, joined Apr 2000, 1022 posts, RR: 0 Reply 9, posted (7 months 2 weeks 6 days 20 hours ago) and read 14672 times:
I would suspect it will be an anoucement of 2 or 3 carriers joining OW, along with that all OW at LHR will be using BA services
LHRFlyer From United Kingdom, joined Apr 2010, 740 posts, RR: 1 Reply 10, posted (7 months 2 weeks 6 days 19 hours ago) and read 14548 times:
I am inclined to believe it is an airline in The Americas. The press announcement for Air Berlin joining Oneworld was in Germany. It may be that Tim Horton cannot travel given what's going on at AA at the moment, but I'd be suprised at a press announcement in New York for a Middle Eastern/Asian airline.
Drmlnr1 From United States of America, joined Jun 2011, 45 posts, RR: 0 Reply 11, posted (7 months 2 weeks 6 days 19 hours ago) and read 14334 times:
I'm thinking it could be either TAM, US, or QR. But EY who has a frequent flier agreement with AA, has a stake in AB, partners with S7, future OW members Malaysian, SriLankan could be a dark horse.
DeltaMD90 From United States of America, joined Apr 2008, 5284 posts, RR: 47 Reply 12, posted (7 months 2 weeks 6 days 19 hours ago) and read 14108 times:
Quoting LHRFlyer (Reply 1): Well if you believe some of the threads on here it must be Oneworld announcing the closure of the alliance because there's just no point any more because of the EK and QF partnership!!
For real, I don't know why everyone was losing their minds over this
Quoting Atrude777 (Reply 6): If we're to follow history of what United and Continental did, CO left Sky Team to join Star Alliance before the merger happened, it could be possible that US would be joining it if that was the example we used.
My question is, would US benefit from joining OW? What if the merger doesn't work out and US is in OW separate from AA? With CO it at least made sense for them to join Star (merger with UA aside.) Not saying US wouldn't fit in OW I'm just wondering
b6a322 From United States of America, joined Jan 2010, 287 posts, RR: 0 Reply 13, posted (7 months 2 weeks 6 days 18 hours ago) and read 13555 times:
USAirways Aside, Jetblue anyone? They've got nice ties with AA, seem to prefer the expansion through partnerships theory as of late, and happen to have a rather large Hub / corporate headquarters here.
The content I post is solely my own opinion. It is not an official statement by/of/for nor representative of any company
Stitch From United States of America, joined Jul 2005, 26679 posts, RR: 83 Reply 14, posted (7 months 2 weeks 6 days 18 hours ago) and read 13345 times:
Byrdluvs747 From United States of America, joined Jul 2004, 2140 posts, RR: 1 Reply 15, posted (7 months 2 weeks 6 days 18 hours ago) and read 13013 times:
Quoting Stitch (Reply 14): LH owns 19% of them and has strong code-sharing, so that makes me inclined to believe they would not join OW.
Since when does 19% control a company? LH protested the partnership with AA, and we know what happened then.
The 747: The hands who designed it were guided by god.
runway23 From US Minor Outlying Islands, joined Jan 2005, 2037 posts, RR: 40 Reply 16, posted (7 months 2 weeks 6 days 18 hours ago) and read 12930 times:
TAM makes the most sense.
AA and IAG (IB/BA) have a lot in stake with the Americas. LATAM is probably the only carrier that would really require both AA and IAG being present and NYC seems like the logical place to hold such an event.
I think the announcement is going to be that they will more than one new not yet announced airline will join OW in late 2013 or early 2014. In light of this report I think the carriers that I think are most likely possible new members are:
Alaska Airlines
Ethiad
Flybe
Meridianafly
US Airways
Westjet
Hainan Airlines is another possibility that is if CX doesnt block them
Stitch From United States of America, joined Jul 2005, 26679 posts, RR: 83 Reply 18, posted (7 months 2 weeks 6 days 18 hours ago) and read 12878 times:
One of Alaska's strengths is the codesharing they do. Just as I can't see them agreeing to be purchased by another US flagged carrier, I cannot see them formally joining an alliance.
LHRFlyer From United Kingdom, joined Apr 2010, 740 posts, RR: 1 Reply 20, posted (7 months 2 weeks 6 days 17 hours ago) and read 12820 times:
Quoting b6a322 (Reply 13): USAirways Aside, Jetblue anyone? They've got nice ties with AA, seem to prefer the expansion through partnerships theory as of late, and happen to have a rather large Hub / corporate headquarters here.
Jetblue would be very interesting, and I don't think LH's 19% stake precludes it,
US Airways would also be interesting, not least because Virgin has just started codesharing with them and Virgin could lose another US partner.
Stitch From United States of America, joined Jul 2005, 26679 posts, RR: 83 Reply 22, posted (7 months 2 weeks 6 days 17 hours ago) and read 12679 times:
Quoting LHRFlyer (Reply 20): Jetblue would be very interesting, and I don't think LH's 19% stake precludes it.
It wouldn't preclude it, but if B6 joins OneWorld, does that mean they can no longer codeshare with LH because LH is in Star?
For if they could not, then there seems to be no reason for LH to continue to hold the stock (since B6 does not appear to pay a dividend).
speedbird9 From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2008, 228 posts, RR: 0 Reply 23, posted (7 months 2 weeks 6 days 17 hours ago) and read 12299 times:
possibly not LATAM according to this Reuters report from the 21st of September 2012 the group will decide on an airline alliance in the first half of 2013
DeltaMD90 From United States of America, joined Apr 2008, 5284 posts, RR: 47 Reply 25, posted (7 months 2 weeks 6 days 16 hours ago) and read 12460 times:
Byrdluvs747 From United States of America, joined Jul 2004, 2140 posts, RR: 1 Reply 26, posted (7 months 2 weeks 6 days 16 hours ago) and read 12363 times:
Quoting Stitch (Reply 22): but if B6 joins OneWorld, does that mean they can no longer codeshare with LH because LH is in Star?
No, for the same reason QF can codeshare with AF. Alliance members are allowed side deals. However, B6 would most likely codeshare with AB as well.
The 747: The hands who designed it were guided by god.
legacyins From United States of America, joined Aug 2003, 1825 posts, RR: 0 Reply 27, posted (7 months 2 weeks 6 days 16 hours ago) and read 12782 times:
Quoting airevents (Reply 21):
I find it hard to imagine QR joining OW would be announced anywhere else than Doha, Qatar...
1337Delta764 From United States of America, joined Oct 2005, 5751 posts, RR: 2 Reply 28, posted (7 months 2 weeks 6 days 16 hours ago) and read 12715 times:
Quoting Stitch (Reply 18): One of Alaska's strengths is the codesharing they do. Just as I can't see them agreeing to be purchased by another US flagged carrier, I cannot see them formally joining an alliance.
Quoting DeltaMD90 (Reply 25): Highly doubt it... they have a strong codeshare with DL in SEA
Yep, and that relationship with DL is stronger than the one AS has with AA.
The Pink Delta 767-400ER - The most beautiful aircraft in the sky
RyanairGuru From Australia, joined Oct 2006, 2493 posts, RR: 2 Reply 29, posted (7 months 2 weeks 6 days 11 hours ago) and read 10693 times:
Quoting DeltaMD90 (Reply 12): My question is, would US benefit from joining OW? What if the merger doesn't work out and US is in OW separate from AA? With CO it at least made sense for them to join Star
To flip that on its head I guess you could ask what US gets from Star. I know they say that their Star membership is "profitable" (however it is you put a value on such a vague and intangible concept) but they don't exactly have a warm relationship with the other members. Being excluded from the UA-AC-LH tie up certainly showed that they are not welcomed with open arms - and it's not as if US has an insignificant European presence either, from what I understand US is bigger in Europe than AA is.
So... maybe as (a) a precursor to a merger - possibly with IAG backing, or (b) to neutralise the US threat - keep your friends close and enemies closer and all that jazz - BA and AA have invited US to join BA-AA-IB.
It would explain the parties involved and the choice of location, or I could be dreaming
Bill142 From Australia, joined Aug 2004, 8320 posts, RR: 9 Reply 31, posted (7 months 2 weeks 6 days 7 hours ago) and read 9239 times:
Quoting Stitch (Reply 22): It wouldn't preclude it, but if B6 joins OneWorld, does that mean they can no longer codeshare with LH because LH is in Star?
Yes because alliances mean airlines can't do deals with non-alliance partners to the detriment of their business.
Quoting runway23 (Reply 16): AA and IAG (IB/BA) have a lot in stake with the Americas. LATAM is probably the only carrier that would really require both AA and IAG being present and NYC seems like the logical place to hold such an event.
Tim Horton is the oneworld chariman. He would be there in that capacity.
LAXdude1023 From Lebanon, joined Sep 2006, 6779 posts, RR: 25 Reply 34, posted (7 months 2 weeks 6 days 3 hours ago) and read 7835 times:
Since the announcement is going to be in the US, I would imagine it relates to an American carrier. My money would be on US or B6. I personally hope it's US.
DFW Fan Boy: Im crude, irreverent, and blunt, but Im not clueless. I offer no apologies.
seansasLCY From Hong Kong, joined Mar 2007, 717 posts, RR: 0 Reply 35, posted (7 months 2 weeks 6 days 3 hours ago) and read 7778 times:
I don't think the announcement being made in NY has much impact. Sri Lankan was announced in Beijing and I don't think S7 or Royal Jordanian were announced at their home bases.
OneWorld's HQ is in New York. I hope we see QR joining or Hainan Airlines would be great too and has long been rumoured.
koruman From Australia, joined Feb 2006, 2979 posts, RR: 6 Reply 36, posted (7 months 2 weeks 6 days 2 hours ago) and read 7718 times:
Quoting LAXdude1023 (Reply 34): Since the announcement is going to be in the US, I would imagine it relates to an American carrier. My money would be on US or B6. I personally hope it's US.
Wouldn't it be premature for them to join OneWorld at a time when they are far from certain of taking over American Airlines?
There is still plenty that could go wrong with the AA acquisition, and they would be foolish to exit the Star Alliance until the acquisition is confirmed.
LAXdude1023 From Lebanon, joined Sep 2006, 6779 posts, RR: 25 Reply 37, posted (7 months 2 weeks 6 days 2 hours ago) and read 7605 times:
Quoting koruman (Reply 36): Wouldn't it be premature for them to join OneWorld at a time when they are far from certain of taking over American Airlines?
There is still plenty that could go wrong with the AA acquisition, and they would be foolish to exit the Star Alliance until the acquisition is confirmed.
I dont disagree with you, but that doesnt mean that they see it the same way. US has been talking to AA and IAG and has publicly stated they would join One World if they could merge with AA.
DFW Fan Boy: Im crude, irreverent, and blunt, but Im not clueless. I offer no apologies.
jumpjets From United Kingdom, joined Apr 2012, 468 posts, RR: 0 Reply 39, posted (7 months 2 weeks 6 days 1 hour ago) and read 7396 times:
Like most commentators on this thread I am hoping for a significant airline related announcement - but I fear given that the announcement has been trailed well in advance, possibly as a means of drumming up press interest in a fairly non-descript announcement, and the fact that announcement is to be made in NYC, the admin centre of OW, I fear we may be in for some sort of OW organisational/operational announcement rather than a nice juicy one that is membership related.
VV701 From United Kingdom, joined Aug 2005, 6616 posts, RR: 17 Reply 42, posted (7 months 2 weeks 6 days 1 hour ago) and read 7179 times:
Quoting koruman (Reply 33): Basically, the USA and Brazil are in opposite hemispheres.
I do not dispute that Brazil, like all of Australia and Antarctica, is mainly (but not totally) in the Southern Hemisphere. However as the Equator runs across the Amazon Estuary the north of the country, like all of the USA, is in the Northern Hemisphere. But both the USA and Brazil are totally, like most of London, in the Western Hemisphere.
RyanairGuru From Australia, joined Oct 2006, 2493 posts, RR: 2 Reply 43, posted (7 months 2 weeks 5 days 23 hours ago) and read 6866 times:
Quoting koruman (Reply 33): Basically, the USA and Brazil are in opposite hemispheres.
In traditional North-South parlance which most people in Europe and Australasia would understand as "hemisphere" you are - of course - right, even if part of the country is in the North. However in US parlance they're the same: the "Western Hemisphere"
Quoting AJMIA (Reply 40): The rumors I have heard suggest it is Ethiad...
My only question about EY would be the EK-QF tie up. Surely Alan Joyce would have been aware of murmurings about EY joining the alliance before he put pen to paper? I know that EY and VA currently have a tie-up, but EY ditched QF and DJ ditched EK for that to take place so it isn't completely inconceivable that EY would switch sides again.
Quote: Adrian Schofield picks up that topic in the Things With Wings blog, noting AA CEO Gerard Arpey and JetBlue chief Dave Barger "both deliberately didn't rule out JetBlue moving to Oneworld alliance." In comments from the press event, Barger says the companies "are open to the path forward, whatever that may be" while AA's Arpey points out JetBlue possesses the traits oneworld seeks for its member carriers. "We'll see where things lead," Arpey says.
iFlyLOTs From United States of America, joined Apr 2012, 380 posts, RR: 0 Reply 49, posted (7 months 2 weeks 4 days 17 hours ago) and read 5222 times:
Crazy idea, US is going to OW where, also being announced, they will merge with AA and why is IAG there? Because they will be investing 25% into the new company called AAG (American Airlines Group).
BOStonsox From United States of America, joined Dec 2007, 1885 posts, RR: 0 Reply 51, posted (7 months 2 weeks 4 days 10 hours ago) and read 4715 times:
I hope it's B6, then BOS will be an alliance hub and it would entice those carriers to come here. From a Bostonian's stand point, this would be ideal. However, I don't want to rule out QR even though it would be wierd for them to deny it. We'll have to see what happens!
roberto277 From Netherlands, joined Jul 2012, 7 posts, RR: 0 Reply 54, posted (7 months 2 weeks 2 days 1 hour ago) and read 3291 times:
I don't know if any of you guys are into shares at all, but IAG's shares are doing pretty well this week. Seems to me the market has high expectations about the OneWorld announcement. It sure isn't IAG's profit forecast considering they are expecting a small operating loss this year due to the difficult market Iberia is in. I wonder what the effect of OneWorld's plans, what ever they are, will be on IAG's performance.
LHRFlyer From United Kingdom, joined Apr 2010, 740 posts, RR: 1 Reply 55, posted (7 months 2 weeks 2 days 1 hour ago) and read 3188 times:
Quoting roberto277 (Reply 54): I don't know if any of you guys are into shares at all, but IAG's shares are doing pretty well this week. Seems to me the market has high expectations about the OneWorld announcement. It sure isn't IAG's profit forecast considering they are expecting a small operating loss this year due to the difficult market Iberia is in. I wonder what the effect of OneWorld's plans, what ever they are, will be on IAG's performance.
If, as expected, it includes a full joint venture on the London-Doha route and points beyond Doha (not just Australia) then it is potentially hugely significant for both airlines.
Qatar gains from BA's distribution network and presence in the UK corporate market and its valuable frequent flyer base and BA gains a raft of extra destinations to add to its network.
TWA85 From United States of America, joined Feb 2012, 125 posts, RR: 0 Reply 56, posted (7 months 2 weeks 1 day 19 hours ago) and read 2756 times:
With QR membership in Oneworld all but announced, what are the odds that Oneworld will turn its attention HU? If QR joins Oneworld, it could demonstrate that CX could still partner with CA while everybody else partners with HU, as QF will partner with EK while other Oneworld members partner with QR.
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