Nicc HK

Well now that BA has sadly/unsuprisingly pulled out of NQY (Again....)

C-man

I wish Air pacific or air NZ would join
there is a big hole in the south pacific now

ernestnywang

oneworld already has the best coverage in south pacific.
Of course, though, I wish that they'd join, too!

Himeno

Would be nice if JQ would join. I don't understand why they aren't already, being a QF subsidiary and all...

virtualtroy

The same issue never appears to have bothered BA, even though, comparatively, it doesn't have the same hard product to boast about. When it comes to arrogance, Brits and the Singaporeans (at least the state) are good bedfellows

onobond

At least we all know candidates not to pick!

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/new...cle5651516.ece


Cheers

AKLDUBFlyer

Air NZ would be a great addition, but unlikely...looks like I will have to fly to Australia to burn for a South Pacific holiday from NZ....

CXBA

two are the most meaningful members to get into:
- Jet Airways (+ Kingfisher);
- Malaysian
plus maybe Vietnam Airlines.
the rest can be let to be easy fodder for the two others evil empires

bennytma

I'd love to see an African airline join. ET would be ideal but since it looks like its going to Star we may be stuck with waiting for Arik to expand or to poach ET. And an Indian airline like Jet would be a great addition.

But thinking a little closer to home what do folks think about Oneworld going after Porter (PD)? Its a top quality airline and is growing. Or does the cozying up between WestJet and AA/BA/CX nix any thought of Porter?

Porter has a great hub at YTZ and already fly to Boston, Chicago and NYC. Granted they would likely have to move from MDW to ORD. And it would be tough for them to move into LGA but AA has 12 nonstops weekdays LGA-YYZ and three JFK-YYZ. So in theory AA and PD could work out a deal. With AC threatening to pry its way into YTZ PD might welcome an alliance with AA/OW.

wijibintheair

Anyone heard anything more about any potential Chinese partners? That big gap is a real concern!
Africa - seems Arik is the most viable. With them starting JFK service to compliment LHR and JNB that would at last allow a direct Africa - North America link. And from all the accounts I have heard, their quality is up there with the best in Africa.

tickety-boo

WRT to Porter and Oneworld, Porter is, at their YTZ hub, constructing a new terminal building which is scheduled to open soon (2010 sometime) and, supposedly, will house US Immigration pre-clearance facilities. This will allow PD to fly to DCA and, perhaps, LGA. (There was some hint in the Toronto newspapers that PD would be announcing a 2nd NYC destination - they currently fly to EWR).

Meanwhile Westjest has, in the past few months, hinted that they might - someday - be interested in acquiring PD. (Sorry, I don't have the links for these articles handy).

A combined Westjet-Porter would be well positioned to join either OW or ST.

Also, I don't think Porter, in OW, would necessarily have to switch from MDW to ORD. YYZ-ORD is already well served by AA. YTZ-MDW provides more choice for the downtown Toronto passengers. Perhaps, though, WRT to operations at Boston, if AA continues to cut back at that airport, they might pull BOS-YYZ (the only other current competition to AC) and instead codeshare with PD. Does anyone know how profitable AA's BOS-YYZ service is these days?

ByrdluvsAWACO

The way its looking now, GOL is a serious possibility. They just signed a codeshare with IB which means BA wont be too far away. They already have a deal with AA, and somewhere I read that they're looking to work with MX.

In Africa, Arik is a good choice. However, I always worry about the bouts of violence in Nigeria. I'd prefer an airline based in Ghana(ACC). I would also look at TAAG. They're getting their act together and would provide a good Africa to S. America link.

OW also needs to double their efforts in getting WJ into the alliance now they're up and running on Sabre. AA isn't sponsoring anyone right now, so they have the resources.

In light of all that, I think AB (Air Berlin) should be OW's biggest priority as far as new partners. It would give OW the central continental partner they've been missing since the LX partnership.

helahela

I would second Flybe. Flying 100+ sectors a year on Flybe it would be a very welcomed addition to a useful loyalty program. Also it would add a significant chunk of possibilities to oneworld in Europe.

rpg1973

"Oneworld is looking to increase further its footprint in Latin America, particularly in Brazil, where Gol is among the potential membership candidates with which it is in discussions, ATWOnline learned last week as the alliance welcomed Mexicana in Mexico City. "Brazil is an important market for us, and Gol is obviously a significant player. They have made great strides in the past two years and, like in India and China, we keep channels open to everyone to review continually our options and their strategy," oneworld Managing Partner John McCulloch said.

He did not confirm the talks with Gol, but ATWOnline understands that discussions are "in an early stage" and that no announcement is imminent. Gol recently signed extensive bilaterals with oneworld members American Airlines and Iberia. LAN Airlines is oneworld's other Latin American member. Brazilian flag carrier TAM committed to Star Alliance last year (ATWOnline, Oct. 8, 2008), and SkyTeam Chairman Leo van Wijk confirmed in June that his alliance has talked with Gol as well (ATWOnline, May 26).

by Cathy Buyck"
Source: ATW

avm2806

Seriously if OW got its act together and got one of the private airlines from India on board, they could fill a huge gap. AI will join *A but given how long that is going to take, if they jumped in on 9W or IT asap, they could even be operational Alliance members before AI actually startes offering * benefits.