AAB threatens to leave oneworld
Oct 10, 2018, 6:57 am
#16
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Exactly. If QR leaves OW, I would bet a lot of money that QR is not going to start upgrading stuff in any material way as a result. The cutbacks QR have done in the last few years are going in the same direction as cut backs by other carriers which I do not think have much to do with being in an alliance or not.
Oct 10, 2018, 9:44 am
#17
Moderator: American AAdvantage
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Without going all OMNI/PR here, I think this is also a clarion call that relates to the political isolation of Qatar and its airline by the Gulf states, the USA tagging along, and of course Turkey and Iran deserve mention as well.
And of course AA has been griping about the G3 carriers, never failing to include erstwhile one world carrier QR, for some time. Perhaps Mr. Al Baker is also unhappy that Qantas and Etihad have a non-alliance partnership that slights QR and DOH?
I can understand all of this being part of the complaint, but how often can one call wolf or make statements that turn out to be polar opposites of reality (“We won’t be joining one world...” the day before its announced Qatar Airways is... joining oneworld. I’m quite sure that was not an overnight decision.)
That being said I’d hate to see QR leave, but as it’s Qatar I’ll add a bit of fatalistic attitude here.
And of course AA has been griping about the G3 carriers, never failing to include erstwhile one world carrier QR, for some time. Perhaps Mr. Al Baker is also unhappy that Qantas and Etihad have a non-alliance partnership that slights QR and DOH?
I can understand all of this being part of the complaint, but how often can one call wolf or make statements that turn out to be polar opposites of reality (“We won’t be joining one world...” the day before its announced Qatar Airways is... joining oneworld. I’m quite sure that was not an overnight decision.)
That being said I’d hate to see QR leave, but as it’s Qatar I’ll add a bit of fatalistic attitude here.
Oct 19, 2018, 1:24 pm
#19
Join Date: Dec 2011
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Akbar Al Baker is on CNN International (Quest Means Business) now discussing this topic...
Mainly complaints about AA blocking access to USA, QF blocking access to Australia and the Middle East / Saudi blockade.
He is "serious" about the threats to leave oneworld because he doesn't ever say anything without meaning it (
). Yeah ok then.
Mainly complaints about AA blocking access to USA, QF blocking access to Australia and the Middle East / Saudi blockade.
He is "serious" about the threats to leave oneworld because he doesn't ever say anything without meaning it (
). Yeah ok then.
Oct 19, 2018, 1:29 pm
#20
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 776
Quest just had a bit on CNN about QR's thoughts of leaving OW, incl. an interview with AAB.
What was interesting, AAB mentioned not only the conflicts with the 3 legacies incl AA but also QF about the AU routes, which aparently got new fuel due to QR's share in Air Italy that starts TATL, which could be seen as a violation of some 5th freedom agreement (which QR doesn't practice at the moment, with some rate exceptions). He argued that QR doesn't own a controlling stake (aka >50%) but of course influence and acting in mutual bemefit starts long before 50%.
As for QF, of course QR isn't just the victim as ABB portrays it, this is a shark tank after all. But one can't argue with the fact that QF is now codesharing with all ME3 carriers, which unarguably is a provocation for QR and can't be in OW's spirit. Extra alliance codeshares are nothing new, but doing it in such direct competition (and adding the political tensions) is indeed a bit of a new quality.
When asked that he is fighting on many fronts, he mentioned that he also got close allies, like IAG (no surprise there), CX and I think he also mentioned Japan.
You be the judge what to make of that, but I found it interesting to hear where he thinks the frontlines are. Could this actually be more than one of his typical flukes that he mentiones once and then moves on?
All I know for sure is that both OW and QR would be greatly compromized if that actually happens. The exodus of AB was a harsh blow for Middle European coverage, but losing QR would definitely place OW last among the 3 alliances.
What was interesting, AAB mentioned not only the conflicts with the 3 legacies incl AA but also QF about the AU routes, which aparently got new fuel due to QR's share in Air Italy that starts TATL, which could be seen as a violation of some 5th freedom agreement (which QR doesn't practice at the moment, with some rate exceptions). He argued that QR doesn't own a controlling stake (aka >50%) but of course influence and acting in mutual bemefit starts long before 50%.
As for QF, of course QR isn't just the victim as ABB portrays it, this is a shark tank after all. But one can't argue with the fact that QF is now codesharing with all ME3 carriers, which unarguably is a provocation for QR and can't be in OW's spirit. Extra alliance codeshares are nothing new, but doing it in such direct competition (and adding the political tensions) is indeed a bit of a new quality.
When asked that he is fighting on many fronts, he mentioned that he also got close allies, like IAG (no surprise there), CX and I think he also mentioned Japan.
You be the judge what to make of that, but I found it interesting to hear where he thinks the frontlines are. Could this actually be more than one of his typical flukes that he mentiones once and then moves on?
All I know for sure is that both OW and QR would be greatly compromized if that actually happens. The exodus of AB was a harsh blow for Middle European coverage, but losing QR would definitely place OW last among the 3 alliances.
Last edited by makrom; Oct 19, 2018 at 1:46 pm
Oct 20, 2018, 7:54 am
#22
Join Date: Apr 2015
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At the end of the day, both would be weaker without the other but I think QR needs OW more than OW needs QR. The fact that QR was able to draw on customers from other OW alliance members to help them grow is a large part of what has allowed QR to compete with EK. They'd lose massively in terms of market position in e.g. the UK and US if BA and AA flyers weren't able to gain miles in a useful scheme for flights on QR, it would risk basically turning QR into EY Mark 2 (an airline with a lot of expensive long haul planes without the customers to fill them). Personally, I have little interest in flying with an airline that's not in one of the three major alliances which is part of what keeps me away from EK and I imagine I'm not the only one that thinks that.
Given the somewhat erratic decisions QR has been taking recently I'm not suggesting this means they wouldn't be willing to leave!
Given the somewhat erratic decisions QR has been taking recently I'm not suggesting this means they wouldn't be willing to leave!
Oct 20, 2018, 10:47 am
#23
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I stay away from EK because, having sampled its J product, I just don't think that it's that great.
Oct 20, 2018, 12:09 pm
#24
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Oct 20, 2018, 9:12 pm
#25
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Oct 21, 2018, 1:06 am
#26
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Oct 21, 2018, 4:51 pm
#27
Join Date: Dec 2013
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Really? I love QR and I hope they stay in OW, but honestly I don't think SkyTeam is so close behind OW that QR's departure would make ST ahead of OW. For years I had status with 2 airlines on *A and 2 on OW which I thought was suboptimal; instead I wanted status in all 3 alliances and I had room to cut back in *A and/or OW. But so many times when I flew Sky Team my experience was so much worse than other alliances that I grudgingly had to shelve my 3-way status plans. Again and again. I am curious as to why you think Sky Team is better than OW without QR, as it differs massively from my experience but I am always open to new feedback.
Oct 24, 2018, 3:23 am
#30
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 71
I hope they do leave! About mid next year. and EY or EK would be a great replacement. Or both, together even! Would be funny if this happened out of political spite.
