alliances outside of the "alliances", past and present
 

I would like to dedicate this thread to the younger FTers who see the airline would in terms of OW, *A, and ST.

Things weren't always so black and white, and they still aren't. Many of today's friends were yesterday's foes, and vv.

Moving on, here's my list:

-AA and SQ used to be tight
-subsequently, DL bumped AA out of the picture, and its relationship with SQ persisted well into the *A era
-NW and CO were virtually the same airline for around 6 years
-AS continues to be in bed with both AA and DL
-people often complain about OW not taking on a Chinese airline; the thing is; CX is already partnered with both CA (*A) and MU (ST), which keeps its members happy; what's more, CA holds a large chunk of their shares
-BR plays ball with both AA and CO
-MH was getting tight with ST until recently, but surprised us all by joining OW

As well as several other OneWorld and SkyTeam carriers, but seems to have an allergic reaction to Star Alliance members.

As such, I wouldn't be surprised to see UA take them out of the action... kill two birds with one stone; this would cripple both AA and DL on the west coast in a single blow. DL's PDX-NRT and AA's LAX-PVG would probably not be sustainable in the absence of AS feeds.

That is irrelevant because OW members outside Asiamiles can NOT claim award on CA or MU.

It's totally relevant because CX doesn't need to care about intra-China coverage for non Asia Miles members (i.e. its bread and butter customers live in HK and commute to/from BJ/SH). And, unless they can buy HNA straight out, the HU idea is a pipe dream.

The status quo = CX working in harmony with the Beijing government; AA isn't even on the radar.

Actually, I think that's moondog's point.

CX's own Asia Miles members are satisfied. CX has no particular concern for other partner programs' members. AA members not being able to redeem intra-China is not CX's concern.

If moondog has not pre-phrased his statement about "People often complained about OW not taking an Asian airline", then I would not make my comment.

He refers to OW, not Asia Miles.

Since when OW members = Asia Miles members?

A subset of OW members are happy but the majority of OW members are NOT. CX relationship with CA and MU are CX alone, has nothing to do with OW that is why the irrelevancy lies.

Because people DO have valid reason to complain regardless CX relationship with CA or MU. Using this relationship to counter the complain of OW lack Asian Airline partners is a faulty argument.

Ditto DL's partnership with SQ - that other Skyteam members would not enjoy. BTW, is that SQ relationship continues? Wasn't at some point last year it was said to terminate at some point?

Hmmm. Ckpeter pretty much nailed my point on the head, but I'm still willing to play ball.

The way I see it is that OW wants a Chinese airline in its ranks, but its hands are tied because:

1) CX doesn't care
2) the PRC government owns a big share of CX
3) HU (the largest unallied airline in China) is not on the playing field as long as its parent company owns CX's only competitors in HK

BA and US used to be kissin' cousins as well - PIT formerly saw a lot of Landor once upon a time.

HP also revolved closely around the NW/CO axis in the 1990's as well.

I think you and moondog are looking at it from different perspective.

You are saying that people "have valid reason to complain." While there may be good reason, what moondog is saying is that those reasons are not commercially interesting to CX, and since CX presumably have some veto power as an existing alliance member, it makes it difficult for Oneworld to find a mainland Chinese member airline.

He is not providing a justification or argument - just an explanation.

P.S. I believe SQ and DL have terminated their partnership at this point.

Lets not forget that CO used to own CM. It was a bit surprising post-spin-off & following the exit from ST, that CM decided (for a few years at least) to stay alliance independent rather than join *A (CM is still part of OnePass).

DL had an agreement with SA back in the day.

I was JUST thinking about this the other day... we were considering a trip to Jamaica on AA and at the time (2002-3 I think?) AA was about to procure US! If you had miles on US and you wanted to book such a trip as mine on AA, you could use them toward a ticket--like, if it were 35k to get there and you had 17,500 on both AA and US, they'd let you set up the ticket!

We could not go and when we said forget it, they asked which airline we would like all the miles put back into so I said AA.

I do not remember all the particulars on this but that's how I remember it. Would love to meet someone else who had a similar experience and remembers those times.

MM

HP was also friends with BA and continues somewhat with VS. US also provides feed to RJ.

If I remember correctly, DL, SQ and VS used to have some kind of mini-alliance. That's before DL's descent into the lowest common denominator.