Copa considering leaving Skyteam, joining *A
 

Haven't seen any recent news on Copa but this could be good for continued upgrades:

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles...join-star.html

Copa and TACA poised to join Star
By Brendan Sobie

Both of Central America's leading carriers, Copa and TACA, are poised to join Brazil's TAM as new members in the Star Alliance.

...

Copa chief executive Pedro Heilbron, meanwhile, said on the sidelines of the forum that the Panamanian carrier has decided to leave SkyTeam and is in exclusive talks with Star.

Heilbron says Copa has no "commercial choice" but to leave SkyTeam because its main partner, Continental, decided earlier this year to leave SkyTeam for Star. Continental sponsored Copa's entrance into SkyTeam. Continental is scheduled to formally leave SkyTeam for Star late next year but Heilbron says "we have some time" to decide what it should do.

I knew that was bound to happen.. :(

Happy to fulfill your foreshadowing. ;)

well, it may have been covered a little from the CM perspective, but seeing TACA and TAM on there is interesting, including the point the article makes that it would overtake OW's AA/LAN stronghold.

Copa has little choice, Avianca and Skyteam
 

I use Copa frequently to the US from Ecuador. It is an excellent carrier and the hub in Panama works very well. The airline has little choice but to follow Continental as their frequent flyer program is One Pass and they operate a number of code shares. I would not be surprised to see Sky Team try to work with Avianca of Colombia. Avianca partners already include at least both KLM Flying Blue and Delta Sky Miles for earning among Skyteam airlines.
They are also buying a majority stake in VIP and Aerogal from Ecuador. That could be part of replacing Copa in Skyteam.