See discussion and photos etc of the various manifestations of the *A paint jobs here - http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showp...26&postcount=8

But it caused some probs. for some carriers when implemented, not least AC (back in '98) for whom doing so was potentially against Canadian law, requiring in the end for the Canadian Transport Agency to "exempt Air Canada from the application of paragraph 18(c) of the ATR [that states "the licensee shall not operate an international air service, or represent by advertisement or otherwise the licensee operating such air service, under a name other than that specified in the licence"] - to permit the operation of one A340 aircraft bearing the livery of Star Alliance" - http://www.cta-otc.gc.ca/rulings-de...98-A-250_e.html

Already Virgin Blue (DJ) have admitted that it is time to set up a proper J class. In addition to this they also have their Blue Room lounges so I am not sure you can call DJ a LCC anymore.

I will bet that within 24 months you will see tiers and a J class on DJ. I would also not be surprised if SQ takes in interest in purchasing a stake on DJ now that the Patrick Corp has been taken over by Toll Holdings.

I flew into CPT a couple of weeks before SAA joined *A and saw what I thought was a 744 (although I may have been mistaken and it's the aforementioned 340) decked out in full Star regalia, quite impressive.

If this was to happen it would not surprise me if Emirates came on board. They seem be getting closer with Virgin Blue. I for one would like to see this happen if they got a decent South American carrier on board.

I like the designs with all of the different logos on the plane. Nice idea!

I agree that EK and DJ seem to be getting closer-- but it also seems to me that EK and SQ are such clear strategic competitors that a tie-up involving them both is inconceivable...

Yep, they sure are. And seeing as SQ owns the Virgin name I'm not sure how close they will let them get. I'm sure in the background *A is desperatley trying to get DJ on board, to fill that big hole in their network

I'm sure you would never confuse a 340 with a 747. And SAA's quite capable of errors in a press release.

On the other hand I don't think their 747's are on any CPT routes at present. Could it have been an LH craft?

I didn't know that! I had presumed that Branson and the Virgin Group retained the name rights

SQ definitely does not own the rights to the Virgin name. That is actually how Branson makes his money is by licensing it out. It is also the reason that DJ could not start International flights using the Virgin Blue name due to licensing issues. Remember that Branson does not actually own many of the brands that bear his company name these days - he simply sets up businesses, markets them well and then flogs them off and retains rights to the name. Businesses buying them have rights to use his name as long as royalties are paid and certain other conditions are met.

Also I think there is more spin than fact in that *A want DJ as part of their alliance. DJ whilst getting close to being a FSC is still not quite there and until that happens I doubt anyone will talk to them. Codeshares with UA does not count and neither do Frequent Flyer Programme tieups with EK et al. I think the ownership links between companies is more important!

EK's has a part stake in UL and as EK sees itself becoming the new SQ, I can't see those two deciding to get into bed with each other.

Much more likely.

It could have been an LH aircraft, although it certainly had SAA plastered all over it. Perhaps CPT is where they do their plane painting?

This one could be solved by going to kiddiestalkingaboutaeroplanes.net

edit:

Looking at the above website, only an A346 and a B738 appear in *A livery. Feel free to take a peak.

If I'm not mistaken it was SQ not Branson who said they could not use the Virgin name on International routes??? I know that SQ don't own the Virgin name I think I was abit unclear about that, but as far as the Virgin name on airlines I thought SQ had a fairly big say in it given their ownership in VS

No, the Virgin Group says who can use the Virgin brand. SQ only own half of VS which does not mean they state who can use the Virgin brand etc. That is very much Branson's baby and in effect why he is worth as much as he is.