As you know I'm not one to gossip, but somehow the financial analysts who have spoken to BA in the last couple of weeks seem to be coming away with the idea that Emirates is in advanced talks with OneWorld.

Look out for additional codesharing between OneWorld members and Emirates as a precursor.
MF

That would be positive -- even though I would prefer them in the Star alliance and they seem to cooperate more with Star Alliance currently (points with UA and joint marketing of flights with AC). Either way would be good as there is no mid-east based carrier in any of the major alliances. Would give me a choice of carriers for which I could earn miles to Qatar (right now only BA fits the bill with frequent flight choices.

Hmmm, would have thought it to be Gulf Air since the currently codeshare with AA out of LHR....

My understanding is that Emirates consider OneWorld more accuratly reflects where they wish to position their brand (that is as diplomatic as I can make it!).

There are already existing links between OneWorld and Emirates. BA has an agreement, hatched at the latter end of last year, relating to the London/Manchester Dubai/Abu Dhabi routes as an example.

I suppose Gulf Air is a possibility, but the links between Gulf Air and Emirates are very strong. Emirates are assisting Gulf Air with their "re-launch" activities, but I would doubt OneWorld would entertain a carrier which by it's own admission has "fallen considerably behind Emirates in quality of product".

But we won't know for sure until next weeks meeting of OneWorld CEO's, which has the expansion of OneWorld and admission of new members on the agenda.
MF

I thought Emirates considered themselves to be so good that they do not require a ff program to maintain customer loyalty?