Originally Posted by
RobertS975
Virgin Atlantic is a quality addition. For us DeltaManiacs, not that much will change in my view as DL and VS already have JV and codeshares on most (? all) US routes to LHR.
Getting LATAM into SkyTeam should now be the next priority.
LATAM just don'tsee happening. They stated they wanted to go non-alliance when leaving OW. Also, just like CZ leaving ST, maintain close relationships with partners of former alliance.
Originally Posted by
Weekend Away
MEA and Saudia in the Middle East, and Saudia flies a lot of long haul routes.
Xiamen, China Airlines, Vietnam Airlines, and Garuda Indonesia in East/Southeast Asia.
There's decent coverage in both of those regions.
There's nothing in Australasia or South America, and KQ can't cover all of Africa by itself.
VS doesn't really offer much to SkyTeam as a whole. There's no short haul network, and the bulk of their flying is to the US and Caribbean. None of their Africa/Asia flying is to another SkyTeam hub. This just doesn't make sense unless more news is coming. They already had the JV with DL/AF/KL. What could this move over VS?
There's AR in South America. Also LATAM codeshares with a bunch of airline despite being non-alliance.
Oceania is the big hole in ST coverage.