Stated earlier, Cathay.

Cathay Pacific

My sentiments exactly. They may not be the greatest prize, but the more airlines in OW the better as far as I am concerned.

And Cathay have been very positive in the official press releases about Sri Lankan (not they are likely to be negaive of course!): "Cathay Pacific Chief Executive John Slosar said: "SriLankan Airlines is a fine candidate for oneworld, with its growing reputation for customer service mirroring oneworld's own focus - and with Sri Lanka's economy growing faster than at any other time in the nation's history, the timing is right. Cathay Pacific is delighted to be serving as its sponsor in joining oneworld".

This is what everyone else said BTW:

SriLankan Airlines Chief Executive Kapila Chandrasena added: "As an airline highly focused on quality service, we are extremely proud to have been invited to join the highest quality alliance with the best airline partners offering a global network that best complements our own. We look forward to completing all joining requirements as soon as possible."

American Airlines' Chairman and Chief Executive Tom Horton, Chairman of the oneworld Governing Board, said: "Today's agreement with SriLankan Airlines adds even more value for our customers who have made oneworld the first choice airline alliance for the world's frequent international travellers. We look forward to welcoming SriLankan to oneworld."

oneworld CEO Bruce Ashby said: "In SriLankan Airlines, oneworld is pleased to welcome a high-quality airline that will enhance oneworld's network and product offerings in one of the world's fastest growing regions for air travel demand."

For flights to Male, how would SriLankan compare to BA in premium cabins?

Nice, hope AA will allow routings through CMB to Indian airports.

You can do that now for 2 awards.

I am looking for one award.

While this will not replace an Indian carrier, I agree with others, the more airlines the better. This still will give options even if most outside Sri Lanka will not fly it.

However, for the people in Sri Lanka, they will now gain many options for travel.

Good news for me!
now if only the timetables match!

And it opens up Male for us in South Africa wanting to use an XONEX!

On the face of it, it does seem an odd choice but it makes a lot of sense as it provides an airline for the South Asia region, which OW currently does not have and lets face it, all the the Indian full service carriers appear to be complete and utter basket cases. So finding carriers based outside of India with a good Indian network is a good start.

It also adds more travel options to passangers as well as a more robust South East Asian network.

Flown four times with Sri Lankan in the last month. Their service was far better than I was expecting and, like others here have said, I'm happy to see the oneworld world get larger. The more the merrier indeed!

With Malaysian joining OW in the future as well, for those of us who travel to Asia a lot, it will be nice to earn TPs and Avios and enjoy ground-based perks, for travel that at the moment isn't quite as rewarding.

^

From the time of announcement, how long does it take before the airline is fully intergrated into the One world alliance..??

Seems to vary a lot - say 18 ± 12 months ... [from date of announcement]

The official press release indicated 2013, so likely 1.5 year or less.