Speculation: Jet Airways to join OW?
 

It was recently announced that 9W was joining the Asia Miles program.

Whilst it's by no means the only non-OW carrier which is part of the scheme, its joining could be the precursor to applying for OW membership, especially now that AI is to join *A. Note that 9W is also a (non-status earning partner of the QF Frequent Flyer, AAdvantage, an Marco Polo programs.

Anyone with more than hearsay to add?

Not really that relevant but if you book BA to India and then need an Internal connection the preferred partner is 9W. Also when you check in with BA at a desk they have access to 9W and can assign seats etc.

Not a lot of evidence but maybe a small piece that suggests that 9W is alligning itself with OW.

FD

I would be very happy with that. I recently traveled with Jet on a domestic flight and was impressed. They offered much better service than most U.S. airlines.

That flight was Economy, but the Business seating looked really nice as well. It would be great to have the U.S.-Brussels-Delhi option available for RTWs.

The problem though, is that 9W used to have some frequent flyer program deal with BA. I think 9W miles could be redeemed for flights on BA, but ever since 9W partnered with VS, that deal was scrapped. I don't think BA looks too kindly on airlines that show interest in its most "hated" competitor, VS. Although, BA's recent interest in CO, despite its alliance with VS, could blow that argument out of the water.

9W is also a partner for a number of *A airlines. I wouldn't read anything into it (yet).

Yes but it almost certainly won't join *A since AI will...

Apart from FFP partnerships, 9W currently codeshares with ANA and Air Canada, but also with QF and AA on the other hand.

It's disadvantage is that BA and CX would not look too kindly upon the competition on the US, UK, BKK and HKG routes (oh and US via the Pacific as well with SFO starting in June)...

Still, I do think (and hope) that they may join OW sometime soon. ST is quite likely to take Kingfisher in it

I'm sure they won't be happy about the competition, but I don't think that will be a deterring factor. After all, CX, BA, and QF all compete on the LHR-HKG route. CX and QF compete on Australia routes. If competition were the main factor in determining alliances, I doubt there would be any alliances. Nah, most likely what will happen if 9W joins OW is that, unless we fly premium, we'd stick to our regular carrier anyway because that's the only way to get full mileage.

I noticed today at JFK that 9W planes parks at the AA terminal... will be nice though if they joined OW...

That makes sense since they are an AA partner airline. Maybe the partnership is step one.....

Don't count on it.

Jet wouldn't accept my AA number in my online reservation, saying it was too short. It's been OK for the last 26 years. :rolleyes:

So I'll get Virgin credit instead, and no, VS is not OW either.