JAL links up with LAN
 

Rember JAL stating in the past that it eventually plans on joining an alliance. It seems like this link with LAN is a good sign for OW.

http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/050713/135415.html?.v=1

I don't see it as being any different from the link that AA has with JL has had for some time.

As BA did with Swiss, might not CX do with JAL? For now, bilateral arrangements seem to work rather well when there are "regional" "hold-outs" against new membership.

Mileage accrual is OK but status miles would be great.

Well, needless to say, that's gonna' require OW membership and these other agreements don't necessarily lead to same by any stretch.

Not necessarily. Alaska Air gives status miles on Lan (and vice versa) without being in an alliance. I agree it's not the same, though, and I hope that it is a sign for JL considering more seriously joining.

As far as a problem with CX and JL versus BA and LX, I see significantly fewer problems with a JL linkup. The route structure is much less redundant, there are fewer overlaps in flight habits, different clientele, etc. One can only hope.

Also, better than OW, this arrangement apparently permits accrual on the entire Lan network, as opposed to LA and LP only. (There are some exceptions)

CX & JL already codeshare on some flights to HKG/JPN. It would be nice to see JL join oneworld, but highly doubt it.