Would SA fit into OW?
 

Just wondering if SA would make a good/logical member of OW?

Currently it seems that they're more partnered with *, but as we all know partnerships are written in sand.

What? Bring SA into OW!!! No way, man!! We couldn't allow an airline to join OW that would bring competition to BA... Oh no, we wouldn't want to hurt BA's feelings at all.

Sorry to be sarcastic, but I doubt BA would let SA enter OW without substantial concessions (i.e. slots at LHR). Would SA agree to give those up? I don't know.

I thought SA was partnering up with ST...

I thought SA had decided not to go for an alliance.

As it is, they partner with several different airlines for miles and points and codeshare on several routes. Why do they need an alliance?

Still, it's difficult to know whether to add miles to my SK, DL or BD acounts for upcoming SA flights - looks lke BD because I'll get double miles plus 25% mileage.

Only downside is no status.
[edited for typo]

[This message has been edited by Roger (edited 09-26-2003).]

Don't forget BA operate within South Africa already under commair or is it comair?

The aircraft are in BA colours and have BA fligt numbers

It's Comair, and they are a full blown franchise.

I doubT SAA would ever join OW. BA's African routes are some of their most profitable, and they have established quite a web of franchise flights to feed the LHR routes.

The question was would the "fit" in oneworld, not if they want to or not. I have just completed an airline alliance study focussing on oneworld, and worked closely with some people from the local SA office.

SA would fit perfectly into oneworld, i.e. Oneworld would have a lot to gain from SA.

However, as was pointed out above, as long as SA is more or less without a match on the African continent and enjoys a lot of monopoly power, it doesn't need oneworld and is better off playing both sides. Or all three if you want.

Also, SA seems to have a proprietary computer system incompatible with oneworld's and would need - like JL by the way -- substantial investment into upgrading their systems.

I am curious if you evaluated other North American carriers as part of your study. I'd like to know if AS or HP make any sense.

AS would make a lot of sense because they don't compete head to head with AA on many routes. They also have a strong west coast presence which AA has failed to establish on several occasions.

HP on the other hand is not a good fit. They are in the process of gearing up to compete with WN.

AS yes (network-wise), HP never (business model-wise). That's my off-the-top-of-my-head comment. Unfortunately, our little EMBA study did not include an analysis of AS or HP. The only other potential entries for oneworld we analysed were TG and JL, the former being so unhappy in *A, the latter featuring a computer system so old it'll cost them 4 years profit to pay for upgrades.

SA today announced to join STAR. LH will be the sponsor to support a fast membership in the alliance.

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That'll make the QF/SA code shares an interesting issue. Dancing with the enemy?

QF are already dancing with the enemy: AZ (SkyTeam).

I hope this wakes up OW. They need to seriously go after Emirates.

People here have mentioned JAL, but how would they coexist with CX already in the alliance?

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If BA, IB, AY, EI & LX (all of whose main hubs are closer together than HKG & NRT) can co-exist then I don't see why it would be difficult for CX and JL to do so.

I agree. An example in Asia: SQ and TG seem to co-exist in *A.