There are rumors that Asiana Airlines will join oneworld before April 2002 - can anyone substantiate these rumors?

You're not serious!!!! Their safety record is not the best! Why would 1W want to accept them?

Asiana? That's great, maybe they will offer triple miles or something and we can see what people are willing to risk for extra miles.

It's highly possible: American Connection is now affiliated http://www.oneworldalliance.com/pres...ls.cfm?dID=169
Asiana and American Airlines have a codeshare alliance so indirectly they would seem to be involved anyway and they are part of the Asiamiles program. Asiana and Qantas have a code share agreement since 1996.
"Asia Miles welcomes Asiana Airlines
The Asia Miles Travel Reward Programme today announced the addition of another important partner, Asiana Airlines, based in Korea and one of the fastest growing international airlines. Asia Miles members can now both earn and redeem Asia Miles on Asiana giving them even more opportunities to enjoy free travel. The addition of Asiana brings the total of Asia Miles airline partners to 15, and the number of destinations served to over 850.

Asiana Airlines operates one of the world's youngest fleets and serves over 45 destinations in Korea, Japan, China, and elsewhere in the Asia Pacific, North America and Europe. Asia Miles members flying Asiana's First Class earn 150% of the actual miles flown as reward points. In Business Class, members earn 125% and in Economy Class, between 50% and 100%. To earn Asia Miles, members should simply quote their membership number when making a reservation and at check in.

All members can now also redeem Asia Miles on Asiana Airlines for round trip or one way tickets. For example, 35,000 Asia Miles will secure a round trip Economy Class award trip from Seoul to Hong Kong. Applications for Asia Miles membership can be made online at www.asiamiles.com.

At the signing ceremony in Hong Kong, Ron Mathison, General Manager of Cathay Pacific Loyalty Programmes said: "Asia Miles is delighted to have Asiana Airlines on board as another quality partner. The new routes that Asiana bring will enhance the network for Asia Miles members. From the start the Korean public were quick to embrace Asia Miles - now, with the addition of Asiana Airlines, members in Korea will find it even more convenient to earn and redeem miles for travel at home and abroad."

Asiana Airlines General Manager, Alliance Team Jong Hang Lee said: "Asiana Airlines is pleased to provide Asia Miles members quality service and comfort on our modern aircraft with the addition of mileage accrual and redemption benefits. We believe that this new partnership will not only benefit Asia Miles members but also be a good opportunity to enhance the marketing capabilities of both Cathay Pacific and Asiana. Asiana Club members will also be able to enjoy the same benefits on the globally renowned Cathay Pacific as of July 1, 2001."

Asia Miles is Asia's leading Travel Reward Programme with 15 air partners and over 50 non-air partners. In addition to Asiana, air partners include oneworld members Cathay Pacific Airways, American Airlines, British Airways, Deutsche BA, Finnair, Iberia, Qantas, Aer Lingus, LanChile, as well as Dragonair, Japan Airlines, Japan Asia Airways, Sabena, Swissair and its partners"
You might find this interesting
Air Cartels
http://photos.yahoo.com/flyertalk2002

Is Asiana back to codesharing with AA? They had to drop it when SEL was downgraded by the FAA. (along with Delta dropping KA)

I think so. I read it somewhere that AA was considering starting codesharing again.

Personally, OZ (Asiana)'s safety record is not as dreadful as KE (Korean)'s.

The biggest problem IMHO is that their products are really quite poor!

I don't have the details but I remember thinking I would NEVER pay for a biz ticket on OZ.

They would have to worry about enhancing their products before they worry about the safety record driving away potential customers.

And strangely, Asiana teamed up with SQ in FFP just a couple of months ago....

Forgot to mention that OZ has codesharing aggrements with NH.

I really don't know what they are trying to do, they seem to have ties with both Star and OW airlines (although admittedly, their OW links are somewhat more significant than the Star ones)

But regardless of whether they join OW or Star, they are sure to do better in terms of alliances than KE, who are locked into Skyteam. Anyone ever looked at their network coverage?

Well, my feeling is that as long as JL will not join OW, OW may as well strengthen their Asian connection by welcoming OZ.

It is simply a very virgin idea to assume that the existing alliance keeps their member carriers from being very so flirtatious with non-member carriers. There are simply countless affairs in the sky....

I have been on Asiana once and it was a very memorable trip. About 5 years ago, I flew JFK-Seoul (fuel stop in ANC). Anyway, they curtain off a few rows on one side of the plane for FAs to rest in during the flight. The curtain needs to be drawn during taxi, takeoff, and landing. When we were approaching ANC, I decided that I wanted to sit next to a window to get a view of Alaska. Since the curtain was drawn, there were a few empty window seats, so I got up and went to one. However, there was a blanket and pillow on the seat. So, I did the only reasonable thing, I picked them up. Underneath, on the seat, was a handgun. I was startled, but being a high-school junior, I decided to tell my friends on the flight about my find. I told them to come look and soon there were 3 of us huddled around the gun. We then saw an FA walking down the aisle towards us, so we sat down in the row behind the one with the gun. The FA then picked up the blanket, put the gun on top of it, and covered the gun with the pillow. He then walked to the back of the plane. Nothing was ever said or done.

That has become one of my favorite flying stories, and ensures that I am unlikely to fly Asiana again.

I've flown OZ in long-haul F and medium-haul J on several occasions in the last 3 years and actually found their service to compare quite favorably. IMHO, better than AY and much, much better than IB.

Although the service definitely has a Korean feel, I actually like the difference. All F cabins are equipped with fully reclining sleeper seats, and I remember that the selection of premium liquor was outstanding (i.e. Johnie Walker Blue Label).

FA's were extremely attentive throughout each flight.