Interesting, indeed. I find it interesting how Clark said they wouldn't ask AA to sever ties with Etihad either. Would be quite odd to have AA a partner of both EK and EY.

An AA link-up does make perfect sense, however. EK already does have some limited participation with AA since 2008. AA is partners with AS, and EK just joined up with AS. And, clearly QF and AA are very tied together. So, EK and AA/QF/AS, its like one big happy family.

Even though EK doesn't want to be in any sort of alliance, they sure have set their stake in the ground of the alliance they would be in if they chose to be in one.