While there's lots of speculation abound with US/DL, especially in light of US's increased bid to acquire DL today, someone at US said something interesting today: that if the sale is completed, US would drop the Star Alliance and become a SkyTeam provider.

Merger speculation aside, would CO be able to and/or want to join another alliance quickly? While a US/DL marriage could lead to a UA/CO one, what happens with these alliances ...and what material benefit does CO have to be in one over the other?

And with e-ticketing and seemless, electronic interline arrangements, do airline alliances really mean as much as they used to?