I saw that Oneworld recently had their annual meeting in MCT to prepare for Oman Air’s entry into the alliance.

Even though the news came out last year I find it a bit deceiving considering that it would be a bigger priority to get a new airline in South America where they are ‘memberless’ over getting one in the Middle East where they are only a stone throw away from Qatar’s OW hub.

With AA buying up a stake in Chile’s Jetsmart (who has subsidiaries in Argentina, Peru and since last week Colombia) could we expect the first LCC airline to join Oneworld for strategic purposes?

Your thoughts?

Air Serbia has been on the move recently, expanding its footprint in east-central Europe, adding ORD and strengthening JFK, and building a partnership with AA.

Philippine Airlines has always been a favorite, they have a geographic advantage and tie-ups with Cathay Pacific and Malaysia.

China Southern has been the white whale but maybe this is the year. They have ties with AA, BA, IB, JL, QF and AY.

IAG will have their hands full with the Air Europa acquisition, not sure how much they will care about alliance growth. Having said that, Iberia has a great relationship with Avianca and that would level the playing field in South America.

Do the big powerful airlines in Oneworld really want to see new airlines join OW... or would the big players prefer joint ventures with specifically targeted airlines ?
Does AA really care that Royal Air Maroc has seamless travel to/from China... or is AA much more interested in a trans-Pacific *exclusive* deal of its own with China Southern

Avianca, Copa, Latam and AeroMex are aligned so what quality airlines are left. Brazil is the big hole and while GOL could be an alliance partner I like Azul as a OW alliance partner for their Brazilian and deep South American coverage. AA covers anything North of Lima well from Miami with their 737 and A321 fleets.

AD could possibly fit the bill for Oneworld in South America.

MLIAA wrote:

Air Serbia has been on the move recently, expanding its footprint in east-central Europe, adding ORD and strengthening JFK, and building a partnership with AA.

Philippine Airlines has always been a favorite, they have a geographic advantage and tie-ups with Cathay Pacific and Malaysia.

China Southern has been the white whale but maybe this is the year. They have ties with AA, BA, IB, JL, QF and AY.

IAG will have their hands full with the Air Europa acquisition, not sure how much they will care about alliance growth. Having said that, Iberia has a great relationship with Avianca and that would level the playing field in South America.

Avianca is a basket case and the last thing OW needs is AV's problems in Colombia spilling over to AA's operations in that country. AA has nonstops to most large Colombian cities at least daily from MIA and often multiple nonstops.

Oneworld should recruit from the Far East next with PR, JX, and CZ as its possible members.

CZ - has many Oneworld connections, and some top Oneworld member airlines have stakes in CZ.
PR - the only major SEA flag carrier that is not a member of any alliance, and should be the top contender in SEA, and possibly the Far East.
JX - since CI and BR are both SkyTeam and Star Alliance members, respectively, JX could also be a possible member.

I’ve heard some rumblings about Kam Air joining the ranks of Oneworld.

jfk777 wrote:

Avianca, Copa, Latam and AeroMex are aligned so what quality airlines are left. Brazil is the big hole and while GOL could be an alliance partner I like Azul as a OW alliance partner for their Brazilian and deep South American coverage. AA covers anything North of Lima well from Miami with their 737 and A321 fleets.

GOL and AV are in the process of creating a shared holding company and I doubt they will be pursuing wildly different partnerships going forward - they will be kind of like AF-KLM or BA-Iberia and AA will be a partial owner. AV is a second fiddle to CM in Star so I could see them leaving for OW but their product is so crappy I don't know if OW would accept them plus any kind of deal between AV and AA would be problematic because the would have like 80+% of. The Colombia-US nonstop market.

Isn't GOL owed to a large extent by DL?
I can see Air Serbia (a reach into Eastern Europe).

Would Japan Airlines want another Asian carrier?

Would Air Lingus consider joining again (they have a close relationship with BA).

Philippines Airlines - certainly strong into Philippines - what else do they bring? Or would the niche be enough?

What about something like Lion? Would a southern Asian carrier be attractive?

davescj wrote:

Would Air Lingus consider joining again (they have a close relationship with BA)

It would be a natural fit, given the IAG angle, and existing partnerships with AS and AA too, in addition to BA and IB. But they may not want the cost of it?

Would they join as oneworld connect this time?

WS? Just did a new deal with JL, and has existing deals with CX, and QF. A good counter to Star's AC.

HA as oneworld connect? They have a few relationships with oneworld carriers already and would bring a number of unserved Pacific ports to the alliance - PPG, RAR, PPT.

LM as oneworld connect? They already partner with BA, and would enhance connectivity across regional UK.

Now that EI are a part of the TATL JV with AA/AY/BA/IB, let alone owned by IAG and a former OW member, they would be a great addition, even if just as a Connects member.

Riyadh Air? If AAB could handle that.

I think I’d like to see some closer collaboration from OW airlines before I see new members, but that’s always the tricky part of alliance and competition law isn’t it?

Not sure OW strategy - no members in South America, or China - but QR, WY, RJ in the Middle East?

Hopefully they go for CZ, maybe indigo as a connect partner and to counter star and AI? Or 9W id they ever get some scale behind them?

PR is interesting - not sure what they add MH doesn’t except the huge market of the Philippines? Not sure they are that cohesively run tbh.

I though CZ were joining OW, or was that just a rumour?

planemanofnz wrote:

WS? Just did a new deal with JL, and has existing deals with CX, and QF. A good counter to Star's AC.

HA as oneworld connect? They have a few relationships with oneworld carriers already and would bring a number of unserved Pacific ports to the alliance - PPG, RAR, PPT.

LM as oneworld connect? They already partner with BA, and would enhance connectivity across regional UK.

WS would seem complimentary for their growth and development plans, but also OW - doesn’t DO have a JV in place with WS probs make it tricky for AS and AA to collaborate also.

DL JV in LA certainly unraveled the OW strength in south america fast

a318 wrote:

I’ve heard some rumblings about Kam Air joining the ranks of Oneworld.

Would this be the Kam Air who are based in Kabul, Afghanistan ?

lesfalls wrote:

With AA buying up a stake in Chile’s Jetsmart (who has subsidiaries in Argentina, Peru and since last week Colombia) could we expect the first LCC airline to join Oneworld for strategic purposes?

While they might cooperate with OneWorld, I don't think they'll be joining.

They're kind of in the same position as Vueling, which is fully owned by IAG but not a member of OneWorld. Just like JetSmart, Vueling is also an LCC. They cooperate with OneWorld, but they don't join.

planemanofnz wrote:

davescj wrote:

Would Air Lingus consider joining again (they have a close relationship with BA)

It would be a natural fit, given the IAG angle, and existing partnerships with AS and AA too, in addition to BA and IB. But they may not want the cost of it?

Would they join as oneworld connect this time?

IAG have owned EI since September 2015. That’s approaching eight years that Aer Lingus have been under IAG stewardship. if IAG wanted Aer Lingus in oneworld, it would almost certainly have happened by now.

I said it before, and I’ll say it again: whatever IAG‘s strategy is with the airlines it acquires, sticking them into oneworld to make connection and airmile earn/burn convenient for passengers, is clearly not the strategy. Look at the complete clusterf*ck of confusion using EI is as a British Airways Executive Club member, is.

vhtje wrote:

planemanofnz wrote:

davescj wrote:

Would Air Lingus consider joining again (they have a close relationship with BA)

It would be a natural fit, given the IAG angle, and existing partnerships with AS and AA too, in addition to BA and IB. But they may not want the cost of it?

Would they join as oneworld connect this time?

IAG have owned EI since September 2015. That’s approaching eight years that Aer Lingus have been under IAG stewardship. if IAG wanted Aer Lingus in oneworld, it would almost certainly have happened by now.

I said it before, and I’ll say it again: whatever IAG‘s strategy is with the airlines it acquires, sticking them into oneworld to make connection and airmile earn/burn convenient for passengers, is clearly not the strategy. Look at the complete clusterf*ck of confusion using EI is as a British Airways Executive Club member, is.

Had the same problem as an AA Gold member on EI.

When booking the ticket it wasn’t possible to select AA as my FF. When getting to the airport they offered me the option to put my AA number in.

After a week suddenly there are 1,000 points from my EI flight in my account but when going into my flight sector history there is no record of it even though I saw 1,000 points being added.

Really hope they fix this.

lesfalls wrote:

vhtje wrote:

planemanofnz wrote:

It would be a natural fit, given the IAG angle, and existing partnerships with AS and AA too, in addition to BA and IB. But they may not want the cost of it?

Would they join as oneworld connect this time?

IAG have owned EI since September 2015. That’s approaching eight years that Aer Lingus have been under IAG stewardship. if IAG wanted Aer Lingus in oneworld, it would almost certainly have happened by now.

I said it before, and I’ll say it again: whatever IAG‘s strategy is with the airlines it acquires, sticking them into oneworld to make connection and airmile earn/burn convenient for passengers, is clearly not the strategy. Look at the complete clusterf*ck of confusion using EI is as a British Airways Executive Club member, is.

Had the same problem as an AA Gold member on EI.

When booking the ticket it wasn’t possible to select AA as my FF. When getting to the airport they offered me the option to put my AA number in.

After a week suddenly there are 1,000 points from my EI flight in my account but when going into my flight sector history there is no record of it even though I saw 1,000 points being added.

Really hope they fix this.

And in the meantime EI still has a codeshare relationship with United that is much more publicized than their AA partnership.

smi0006 wrote:

WS would seem complimentary for their growth and development plans, but also OW - doesn’t DO have a JV in place with WS probs make it tricky for AS and AA to collaborate also

Which airline is DO?

If Westjet is not an option, what about Porter? In the past, they've probably been too small to join - but with their expansion into E2s and with flights now as far west as YVR, they might be a good addition.

planemanofnz wrote:

smi0006 wrote:

WS would seem complimentary for their growth and development plans, but also OW - doesn’t DO have a JV in place with WS probs make it tricky for AS and AA to collaborate also

Which airline is DO?

If Westjet is not an option, what about Porter? In the past, they've probably been too small to join - but with their expansion into E2s and with flights now as far west as YVR, they might be a good addition.

Sorry - typo DL!

EI effectively operates as an LCC..

In the same vein you've got Qantas with Jetstars JQ and 3K, Qantas and JAL with GK, and JAL itself with Zip ZG and Spring IJ

moa999 wrote:

EI effectively operates as an LCC..In the same vein you've got Qantas with Jetstars

Not true - they have Business Class (lie flat beds on long-haul, and a regional offering called Aerspace), have lounges, have a FFP, serve complimentary food and drinks on long-haul, and more. This is different to JQ.

planemanofnz wrote:

moa999 wrote:

EI effectively operates as an LCC..In the same vein you've got Qantas with Jetstars

Not true - they have Business Class (lie flat beds on long-haul, and a regional offering called Aerspace), have lounges, have a FFP, serve complimentary food and drinks on long-haul, and more. This is different to JQ.

JQ has J on their 787s.

unityofsaints wrote:

planemanofnz wrote:

moa999 wrote:

EI effectively operates as an LCC..In the same vein you've got Qantas with Jetstars

Not true - they have Business Class (lie flat beds on long-haul, and a regional offering called Aerspace), have lounges, have a FFP, serve complimentary food and drinks on long-haul, and more. This is different to JQ.

JQ has J on their 787s.

Sure - but EI's on 330s/321NEOs is far superior, with flat beds versus JQ's armchairs, and more in line with the higher standards oneworld would demand?

Just reiterating that EI is not an LCC on JQ's level. JQ doesn't serve complimentary food/beverages in Y on long-haul flights, like EI does. JQ doesn't have standalone lounges or an FFP, like EI does - they rely solely on QF's for these. I think oneworld would be fine with EI's offering - JQ's though, I'm not sure.

Most of these posts seem to ignore the politics of new members joining. The only member who seems to be hell bent on adding new members is QR. Would CZ be an interesting addition? Potentially, but then you have CX next door expecting to be the China gateway for the group, while not really doing anything as such, but again, as a founding member has veto rights IIRC.

If thinking where new members are likely to come from, think who does QR have commercial ties, and Qatar the nation have geopolitical ties to, which don't step on any toes of any other members, or other airlines with equity stakes. Africa would be my expectation. WB has often been touted on a Connect basis with the QR relationship. South America is a bit of a mess all round with AA trying all sorts of relationships to patch up the strange LA walk out with DL, but who also have an equity stake from QR in them. Seeing visibility in that continent is difficult currently.

There are opportunities for oneworld member airlines such AA/AS to partner with Korean airlines other than KE or OZ such as YP (Air Premia), 7C (Jeju Air), or TW (T'Way).

AA/AS partnering with YP, 7C, or TW would allow AA/AS to better compete against DL/KE on U.S. to South Korea.

YP also already serves LAX, where both AA and AS have hubs, and AA also already has nonstop service to ICN from DFW.

vhtje wrote:

planemanofnz wrote:

davescj wrote:

Would Air Lingus consider joining again (they have a close relationship with BA)

It would be a natural fit, given the IAG angle, and existing partnerships with AS and AA too, in addition to BA and IB. But they may not want the cost of it?

Would they join as oneworld connect this time?

IAG have owned EI since September 2015. That’s approaching eight years that Aer Lingus have been under IAG stewardship. if IAG wanted Aer Lingus in oneworld, it would almost certainly have happened by now.

I said it before, and I’ll say it again: whatever IAG‘s strategy is with the airlines it acquires, sticking them into oneworld to make connection and airmile earn/burn convenient for passengers, is clearly not the strategy. Look at the complete clusterf*ck of confusion using EI is as a British Airways Executive Club member, is.

There was also an discussion about EI rejoining the oneworld alliance at viewtopic.php?f=4&t=1479327.

The possibility of EI entering into a codeshare partnership with JL was also discussed due to the JL-IAG ties, global business presence in both Ireland and Japan, and JL already partnering with some other airlines that are not in the oneworld alliance.

There are also some other oneworld airlines that EI could partner with such as QR and QF.

lesfalls wrote:

Had the same problem as an AA Gold member on EI.
When booking the ticket it wasn’t possible to select AA as my FF. When getting to the airport they offered me the option to put my AA number in.
After a week suddenly there are 1,000 points from my EI flight in my account but when going into my flight sector history there is no record of it even though I saw 1,000 points being added.
Really hope they fix this.

But are you 100% sure those 1000 points are from the EI flight? Maybe your partner has maxed out a credit card and hasn't told you yet LOL
IIRC EI has one of the oldest computer systems in use and they refuse to spend money to upgrade it to be OW compliant.

eta unknown wrote:

lesfalls wrote:

Had the same problem as an AA Gold member on EI.
When booking the ticket it wasn’t possible to select AA as my FF. When getting to the airport they offered me the option to put my AA number in.
After a week suddenly there are 1,000 points from my EI flight in my account but when going into my flight sector history there is no record of it even though I saw 1,000 points being added.
Really hope they fix this.

But are you 100% sure those 1000 points are from the EI flight? Maybe your partner has maxed out a credit card and hasn't told you yet LOL
IIRC EI has one of the oldest computer systems in use and they refuse to spend money to upgrade it to be OW compliant.

As of now my partner is only something I see in my dreams……..

That’s believable.

I’m betting that this still has to do with EI being part of OW back in 2007 which is why it worked.