Virgin Atlantic to Join the Delta Air Lines SkyMiles Program 10-1-2002
Apr 8, 2011, 8:41 pm
#647
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Virgin Atlantic on brink of alliance, says Branson
VS, and presumably another carrier, will announce an alliance "within a few months."
The only question is will it by DL/ST or *A? I personally think DL and VS would complement each other better.
VS, and presumably another carrier, will announce an alliance "within a few months."
The only question is will it by DL/ST or *A? I personally think DL and VS would complement each other better.
If that was the case it would then become the Emirates alliance.
Apr 9, 2011, 2:26 am
#648
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If you look at their current tie ups, VS has has codeshares with 7 *A carriers and partnerships with 2 additional *A carriers and has no similar agreements with carriers belonging to any other alliance. I think a DL/ST tie up is highly unlikely and *A seems to be the best choice. VS likes to be associated with more quality carriers and I don't think Branson is the type who'd want his airline in the global reject alliance.
Apr 9, 2011, 4:32 am
#649
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Oh please. Branson's entire career has been about associating with who offeres him the best opportunity for him to make money, quality or none. While there may be little St cooperation now, there have in fact been two times, once in recent memory and ended just as DL started its LHR operations, when DL and VS were closer than VS has ever been with anyother carrier, don;t forget that once upon a time VA and DL operated a JV accross the Atlantic with blocked space that is pretty much as close as two airlines have ever been.
Apr 9, 2011, 8:13 am
#650
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If you look at their current tie ups, VS has has codeshares with 7 *A carriers and partnerships with 2 additional *A carriers and has no similar agreements with carriers belonging to any other alliance. I think a DL/ST tie up is highly unlikely and *A seems to be the best choice. VS likes to be associated with more quality carriers and I don't think Branson is the type who'd want his airline in the global reject alliance.
Apr 9, 2011, 8:29 am
#651
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The best idea might be for Branson to form another alliance, made up of the disenchanted members of the other three and perhaps other non-alligned airlines. For instance, US hasn't been invited to play in the *A immunized TATL and TPAC joint ventures - it is the only USA-based legacy that still has to compete with its own alliance "partners" across the Atlantic.
I'm sure there are other airlines around the world not yet in an alliance or dissatisfied with their current coupling that could form a viable fourth group.
Consumer groups and antitrust regulators would probably welcome a fourth alliance as well.
I'm sure there are other airlines around the world not yet in an alliance or dissatisfied with their current coupling that could form a viable fourth group.
Consumer groups and antitrust regulators would probably welcome a fourth alliance as well.
Apr 9, 2011, 10:24 am
#652
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Pure Fantasy, But...
I know this is pure fantasy, but I'd love to see Delta bail on the CDG-ruled SkyTeam crap and hook up with VS and Emirates to form a real third alliance. Let Air France get stuck with all the fat girls at the prom.
Sep 15, 2011, 7:45 am
#654
Join Date: Oct 2002
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There was a news story yesterday saying they would be making a decision soon. Unfortunately from the sound of it, I would be extremely surprised if they went with anyone other than Star.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/jonbrune...chard-branson/
http://www.forbes.com/sites/jonbrune...chard-branson/