Cathay Pacific Asia Miles - Westjet/Cathay alliance?

Hi. Just saw this clip on Bloomberg: http://quote.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000082&sid=aOdnb8LFIchg&refer=canada

"Sept. 13 (Bloomberg) -- WestJet Airlines Ltd., Canada's second-biggest airline, and Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd. may begin booking passengers on each others' flights, the Globe and Mail reported."

Thoughts? Does this mean Westjet may be moving towards the Oneworld alliance?

Cheers!

Bad move CX!!!

What if you paid for F/J class?

I would not be happy if CX made me fly Westjet YVR-YYC after getting off my F class flight from HKG.

Also, as a low cost carrier, Westjet does not participate in things like baggage transfers to another carrier.

So if I fly YYC-YVR-HKG, I would have to pick up my bags and check-in again.

Finally! I have been expecting that sort of annoucement, but I didn't expect it from Canada.

It makes perfect sense, as short distance travel is becoming LCC everywhere, we should expect to see more and more alliances between full service long-haul and LCC carriers. Carriers are splitting their own operations into full service long haul and LCC: look at (the clumsy) attempt of Uni/TED. OS and LH have both become 2 airlines essentially: LCC short, full service long haul.

this will not be an alliance as you know it between full service carriers. it will not mean Westjet will join oneworld. It will probably mean full e-ticketing between the two carriers. Ticketing integration is the one field where none of the alliance were able to deliver so far (oneworld better than *A), because it's not a marketing problem but an IT problem. BA's relationship with America West is a (successful?) example for FSC/LCC coop. That type of relationship will dominate the next 10 years in aviation, NOT alliances like star, skyteam or oneworld.

here is another article
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/TPStory/LAC/20040913/RWEST13/TPBusiness/Canadian

I know it is not official, but I think CX does have some arrangements with AC and also UA to connect pax to other cities in Canada and US.
Cx can definitely print Boarding Pass and through check the luggage. As to whether the ticketing is in One I am not sure. wished CP is sitll around.

Bad move CX!!!

What if you paid for F/J class?

I would not be happy if CX made me fly Westjet YVR-YYC after getting off my F class flight from HKG.

Also, as a low cost carrier, Westjet does not participate in things like baggage transfers to another carrier.

So if I fly YYC-YVR-HKG, I would have to pick up my bags and check-in again.

CX can offer service to smaller Canadian cities thru WJ. This agreement would negate the advantage that AC has over CX in terms of connectivity within Canada. This is great news as this agreement would positively impact both CX and WJ.