There is currently a (baseless) rumor thread in the United forum about the possibility of United attempting to buy JetBlue. While that idea is nuts a number of levels, someone suggested that maybe JetBlue just wants to join *A. That also struck me as ridiculous (from a "that's not going to happen" standpoint), but as I thought more, it occurred to me that maybe such a move could be beneficial to the alliances, or at least to the consumers that support them.

Basically, that idea memory-triggered my EVA tickets that used JetBlue flights to get me to/from EVA's US Gateway cities. The disconnect between B6 and BR can't be overstated enough (i.e. it's completely on YOU to pull off those connections).

But, if they were in the same alliance, things would work out much more smoothly. Furthermore, anyone filtering by "Star Alliance" on GF would be able to view BR/B6 in direct comparison with UA (incl UA/NH)...so that (intra-*A) market would become more transparent.

Having gotten that preamble out of the way, I'm curious to hear you thoughts about the notion of new linkages (B6 is just an example) shaking things up (i.e do you see that happening? do you think current members would raise a stink? would consumers become more loyal?).