TACA also submitted an application to Star Alliance. TACA and Copa are extremely similar and I just can't see *A taking both TACA and Copa. TACA's alliance with United is not nearly as close as Continental's with Copa.

For this reason, I see Copa eventually joining *A and the new UA FFP. TACA and their new friend Avianca will in my view eventually go to Skyteam as Avianca and DL have been partners from some time and Skyteam is in desparate need of a S. American member.