That's the problem - there is no other carrier with rights from the US-LHR that already isn't in another alliance.

KU and AI have rights and are non aligned. :P

Trust me, Virgin is a much, much better fit.

I wrote to both VS and CO expressing my disappointment that I couldn't obtain boarding passes for connecting CO flights after an LHR-MIA VS flight - all ticketed as CO flight numbers.

Today I get a letter from VS, and an email from CO.

VS's letter states:

"May I explain that when you book a flight with another carrier, for security reasons, all the passengers are required to check-in with the respective airlines that they are booked. However, your luggage is checked in for your final destination".

Now I know from previous experience that this is nonsense.

And CO's response:

"Our partnership with Virgin Atlantic does include through check in. However, occasionally, there is a problem with the link and the system will not allow agents to perform this function. "

Does VS REALLY not know what the policy is?

CO Insider - looks like you have to give VS a refresher on the agreements of your codeshares, and the benefits of through ticketing and through check-in that you advertise frequently, because clearly they don't remember!!!

I'd be happy to forward correspondance if indeed this does show a communication and/or contract problem between VS and CO.

"* OnePass Elite qualification miles and points may only be earned on Continental Airlines codeshare flights operated by Virgin Atlantic."

I take that to mean that you only get the EQM miles if you have a CO ticket.

Plus - "OnePass Elite mileage bonuses are not available on Virgin Atlantic flights."

I take that to mean that you never get the Elite bonus miles whether CO ticket or not.

It means that you earn the miles only on flights that have a CO flight number attached, regardless of where or from whom you bought the ticket.

That's what I used to think, but experience indicates that the flight need only be one that CO codeshares with VS regardless of the flight number on your boarding pass. For example, each US-LHR VS flight is listed as a CO codeshare and carries a CO flight number; if you fly on one, you earn EQMs, regardless whether your ticket has a CO flight number. By contrast, one does not earn EQMs on VS' LHR-HKG flights because those flights never carry CO flight numbers.

I have flown VS when there was a CO check-in line and when there wasn�t. In both cases, both well before the recent new liquid carry-on rules, I was forced to take things out of my computer laptop carryon even though it was one lb. or less over their limit; I think it was under 14 lbs (and they were allowing 13) both times. They were rude about it, there was plenty of room for it above the seat, and neither flight was full.

So, YMMV and they can be a real pain at check-in.