At least behind the fluffy propoganda of BA and OW, the OW member airlines are still, to a large extent, separate companies who still compete with each other quite fiercely (admittedly with big exceptions such as BA/IB & BA/QF - although only the IB partnership could be deemed as being unfair).

The degree of co-operation yet competitive rivalry is, in my opinion, better than the monopolistic cartels that exist in much of *Alliance and SkyTeam.

It might be better for the consumer if BA/AA never get the go ahead to consolidate their N.American markets but, even then, this tie up would still face stiff competition.