TAM wil be joining one of the Alliances in 2008
Jan 4, 2008, 1:44 pm
#31
Join Date: Dec 2007
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What about Star? United don't seem interest in South America, nor do they have any useful hubs (to TAM) except perhaps IAD. US Airways don't fair much better, but have been expanding in the Carribean & the north of South America...
This is getting worse & worse...
Jan 4, 2008, 2:37 pm
#32
Join Date: Jul 2006
Programs: FB
Posts: 77
according to http://airlineroute.blogspot.com/ TAM and LANPeru have launched an intensive codeshare agreement on Jan 3rd. So Oneworld still isn't out of the game I guess.
Seeing their recent expansion in codeshare agreements with StarAlliance members and the old ties with Skyteam, I think, they will pick the alliance that values them most but no decision is made yet.
Seeing their recent expansion in codeshare agreements with StarAlliance members and the old ties with Skyteam, I think, they will pick the alliance that values them most but no decision is made yet.
Jan 4, 2008, 5:59 pm
#33
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Ireland
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Interesting thread given I had written off the chances of TAM linking up with AA after ending the partnership in Nov. I would like TAM to join OW as despite their heavy presence in South America most of Brasil isn't accessible using AA awards. I could handle it going to *A as I have miles with BMI but please not Skyteam! Anyway isn't TAM a little too good quality wise to join Skyteam? 
Jan 6, 2008, 2:22 pm
#34
Join Date: Dec 2007
Programs: British Airways Executive Club, United Mileage Plus & bmi Diamond Club
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This has to be a battle between OneWorld & Star. Skyteam is really only strong in North America & Europe which isn't a massively growing market. Indeed, other airlines are turning down Sky when selecting alliances fairly quickly, Ethiopian for example.
OneWorld are strong in South America, & this will only make them stronger. Star would give them strong partners abroad, but no one local. Star really excel in Asia.
OneWorld are strong in South America, & this will only make them stronger. Star would give them strong partners abroad, but no one local. Star really excel in Asia.
Jan 7, 2008, 2:51 am
#36
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Jan 7, 2008, 3:40 am
#37
Join Date: Jul 2006
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Posts: 77
TAM is different.
Jan 7, 2008, 8:20 am
#38
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But still I just have a gut feeling that that want to slug it out alone.
Jan 8, 2008, 11:55 am
#39
Join Date: Jan 2008
Programs: BA silver
Posts: 122
Jan 8, 2008, 12:02 pm
#40
Join Date: Jan 2008
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Posts: 122
Jan 8, 2008, 12:09 pm
#41
Join Date: Jan 2008
Programs: BA silver
Posts: 122
On board service was very good - comfortable seats even on the short haul legs, near-flat seats on the long haul, decent AVOD system, and the best food I've ever had on an airline.
However, almost all flights were seriously delayed and the ground service was awful:
- flight LHR-GIG (advertised as direct with one stop) turned out to require a change at GRU; we arrived there 2 hours late and there was no connection, so we had to get a bus across the city to another airport - all with no help from TAM staff;
- flight GIG-EZE was 3 hours late but there was no information provided at all - we only knew because the plane didn't turn up.
- flight EZE-GRU was hours late; the only reason we didn't miss the connection in GRU was because we turned up at EZE 3 hours early and hence were able to get on the previous flight, which was also running several hours late.
- at many of the airports no separate C class check in
- no C class lounge for international flights at GIG
They may have sorted out their operational problems now, but I would be reluctant to use them unless I was sure of this!
Jan 8, 2008, 12:41 pm
#42
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Join Date: Oct 2001
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I had a rather more mixed experience with TAM last year, flying LHR-GRU-GIG-EZE-GRU-LHR, in C class.
On board service was very good - comfortable seats even on the short haul legs, near-flat seats on the long haul, decent AVOD system, and the best food I've ever had on an airline.
However, almost all flights were seriously delayed and the ground service was awful:
- flight LHR-GIG (advertised as direct with one stop) turned out to require a change at GRU; we arrived there 2 hours late and there was no connection, so we had to get a bus across the city to another airport - all with no help from TAM staff;
- flight GIG-EZE was 3 hours late but there was no information provided at all - we only knew because the plane didn't turn up.
- flight EZE-GRU was hours late; the only reason we didn't miss the connection in GRU was because we turned up at EZE 3 hours early and hence were able to get on the previous flight, which was also running several hours late.
- at many of the airports no separate C class check in
- no C class lounge for international flights at GIG
They may have sorted out their operational problems now, but I would be reluctant to use them unless I was sure of this!
On board service was very good - comfortable seats even on the short haul legs, near-flat seats on the long haul, decent AVOD system, and the best food I've ever had on an airline.
However, almost all flights were seriously delayed and the ground service was awful:
- flight LHR-GIG (advertised as direct with one stop) turned out to require a change at GRU; we arrived there 2 hours late and there was no connection, so we had to get a bus across the city to another airport - all with no help from TAM staff;
- flight GIG-EZE was 3 hours late but there was no information provided at all - we only knew because the plane didn't turn up.
- flight EZE-GRU was hours late; the only reason we didn't miss the connection in GRU was because we turned up at EZE 3 hours early and hence were able to get on the previous flight, which was also running several hours late.
- at many of the airports no separate C class check in
- no C class lounge for international flights at GIG
They may have sorted out their operational problems now, but I would be reluctant to use them unless I was sure of this!
As you may know from other threads on FT, the whole Brazilian civil aviation system (or lack of same) melted down in 2006/2007. TAM was, both due to internal and external factors, hard hit on all levels. There might be explanations, but not really any good excuses for what happened.
The whole system, including TAM's ground operations, is slowly back to normal, so I think you have good chances of a more pleasant experience nowadays.
TAM only has C class check-in in airports that have international routes, including GRU, CNF and GIG, where this product is offered. There is no C class on purely domestic routes.
There is a C class lounge at GIG in terminal 2. It opened in 2007.
Jan 8, 2008, 1:44 pm
#44
Join Date: Jan 2008
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Posts: 122
can't remember much detail, sorry. I remember getting a 4 course meal on the long haul which I thought was much better than, say, C class food on BA. I thought the quality and quantity was particularly good on the short flights within Latin America - compared to C class flights within Europe, and some others within LatAm, where you often only get a snack or a salad.
Jan 10, 2008, 12:07 am
#45
Join Date: Jul 2006
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This has to be a battle between OneWorld & Star. Skyteam is really only strong in North America & Europe which isn't a massively growing market. Indeed, other airlines are turning down Sky when selecting alliances fairly quickly, Ethiopian for example.
OneWorld are strong in South America, & this will only make them stronger. Star would give them strong partners abroad, but no one local. Star really excel in Asia.
OneWorld are strong in South America, & this will only make them stronger. Star would give them strong partners abroad, but no one local. Star really excel in Asia.
