9W (Jet) has also just announced a codeshare with EY (Ethiad)
So does appear they are just codesharing with everyone

source?

Did you think to try google before asking?

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&s...etihad&spell=1

Well BA and AA were talking with CO about a possible alliance. I wonder what happened to that story? Though it seems CO is also talking with UA to join *A...

This is what came of it.

I have to imagine that CO going to *A will make provide a mighty big argument for straightening out the BA/AA immunity question.

CO is also an important partner of AS, who has no *A partners, and if CO leaves AS will have more OW partners than Skyteam ones. Perhaps it's time for AA to start thinking about putting a little more pressure on AS.

However, the trend lines regarding OW's competitive position vis a vis *A look rather negative to me.

Mainly due to *A putting the emphasis on size wheres OW is focusing more on quality (so they say). But OW should now be a bit more aggressive to fill some gaps in North America, India and Africa. AS would be a fantastic addition to the family.

I think OW needs to expand. I would liked to have seen CO in OW, but I guess they brought more to Star than OW.

I think the following airlines are potential oneworld candidates;
- AS
- 9W
- GF (they have hinted theyd like to join an alliance, and wont overlap much with RJ)
- SN

I am sitll perplexed as to why Air China joined STAR, when they are 20% owned by CX. I'm not sure which Mainland Chinese airline would likely join OW...maybe MU?

I'm with you on all of those--the only thing about AS is their current MVP/MVPG levels (20K and 40K) and I could see their elites getting cranky about a new top level that would be necessary...

There's periodic talk amongst AS FFers that a platinum level would be a welcome change to the AS plan. MVPG upgrades on an increasing number of flights are become harder to score, partly due (IMO) to AS' favorable pricing of purchased F tickets on many of their routes, e.g. west coast N/S mainline.

AS' partner relationships with so many ST members (albeit decreasing in number with the NW/DL merger and CO's defection) would be the main sticking point. There are, of course, partnerships between current OW members and members of other alliances, like QF/AZ or CX/AF, even QF/SK, so possibly not insurmountable, at least on an interim basis.

I like AS, MU, AF.

They could sew up Central and South America with AV. Doubt it will happen though. Lan would have a heart attack.

Well AV is a good choice, but one airline that is often overlooked is AR (Aerolíneas Argentinas) - more destinations within Argentina is a definitely a positive way to strengthen OW's advantage over the other two alliances. There are also great non-stops flights to MIA, MAD, BCN, SYD, AKL, and FCO out of EZE if AR joins in ^

Isn't AR's parent company the same one that owns Spanair, the *A member?

I think there would be a lot of concerns over AR's longevity given its checkered past.

I don't. ;) And AF joining OW might take a while.

:D, but OW + ST could just give *A a run for their money - IMHO nothing less has a snowball's chance in h*ll, especially given the current (& enduring) economic conditions for airlines.