New airlines for SkyTeam
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2005
Programs: DL, AA, US, SWA
Posts: 1,129
New airlines for SkyTeam
http://www.boarding.no/art.asp?id=33453
Anyone want to go to Tashkent?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uzbekistan_Airways
Anyone want to go to Tashkent?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uzbekistan_Airways
Last edited by RobtheAggie; Oct 14, 2008 at 6:38 am
#2
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Posts: 3,386
Well, although new SkyTeam members are to be welcomed, this does not exactly compensate for the defection of CO.
The current SkyTeam scenario is really good for many WP members: genuine and unparalleled reciprocity with CO and KL, both of which are under threat. We also have limited reciprocity with DL and AF and even AS. And workable codeshares with others like CM.
Often I have three genuine choices for my itins: NW, CO, DL. While we may complain about the lack of reciprocal UG with DL, and the 50% EQM on low fare classes with CO, these are minor pecadillos compared with, say: StarNet filtering of awards at UA, or over at OW, the utter lack of basic FFP benefit for AA/BA flyers on converse TATL itins.
I doubt DL will maintain this level of integration. I wonder what happens especially to the NWKL JV, which is the bedrock of the alliance and, according to industry observers, an industry-leading contract.
The current SkyTeam scenario is really good for many WP members: genuine and unparalleled reciprocity with CO and KL, both of which are under threat. We also have limited reciprocity with DL and AF and even AS. And workable codeshares with others like CM.
Often I have three genuine choices for my itins: NW, CO, DL. While we may complain about the lack of reciprocal UG with DL, and the 50% EQM on low fare classes with CO, these are minor pecadillos compared with, say: StarNet filtering of awards at UA, or over at OW, the utter lack of basic FFP benefit for AA/BA flyers on converse TATL itins.
I doubt DL will maintain this level of integration. I wonder what happens especially to the NWKL JV, which is the bedrock of the alliance and, according to industry observers, an industry-leading contract.
#3
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: eastern Europe & NC
Posts: 4,527
Moving to CO will give the option of flying three domestic-based airlines after they join *A; CO, UA, and US, as well as good international partners. *A will be the only alliance with more than one US-based legacy.
#4
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Programs: NW-PE, Blue Star SeaSmiles
Posts: 6,789
Originally Posted by RobtheAggie
http://www.boarding.no/art.asp?id=33453
Anyone want to go to Tashkent?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uzbekistan_Airways
Anyone want to go to Tashkent?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uzbekistan_Airways
#5
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Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: SEA
Programs: UA Silver, BA Gold, DL Gold
Posts: 9,779
Often I have three genuine choices for my itins: NW, CO, DL. While we may complain about the lack of reciprocal UG with DL, and the 50% EQM on low fare classes with CO, these are minor pecadillos compared with, say: StarNet filtering of awards at UA, or over at OW, the utter lack of basic FFP benefit for AA/BA flyers on converse TATL itins.
Why would you wonder about this? ST has already announced their intention, which is to (basically) expand the JV to one that includes DL, NW, AZ, AF, KL, and OK for all TATL flights, as well as (I think) the flights to Tahiti. My understanding is that this has already received regulatory approval. And I certainly don't see DL abandoning this, since both OW and *A are trying to go down the same path.
#7
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#9
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Wow... Middle East Airlines would not be my first choice. Personally, I really wish we could snag Emirates or Royal Jordanian.
#10
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: BKK/SEL/YQG
Posts: 2,543
Syrian Arab, or Saudi are still free. I like the possibilities of the Syrian Arab 30$ return flights from DAM-LTK/ALP on the Yaks and Tupolevs. I would love to earn WP miles on those flights
#11
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: DFW/SEA
Programs: *A Silver, AA Gold + Miles Scattered Everywhere.
Posts: 2,045
I think that Uzbekistani airways is an obscure choice. they don't really have much service? seriously...how many people actually NEED to go to Tashkent besides people who live there? I would prefer that Skyteam have an Australian member.
emirates is a good choice as well.
emirates is a good choice as well.
#13
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Emirates, Qatar and Etihad are all supposed to be pretty good, and they're all based within about 300 miles of each other (ah, little filthy-rich oil countries so maybe each of the major alliances could snag one?
#15
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: SEA/DEN
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Posts: 311
MEA is a good fit for SkyTeam because of their close partnership with Air France which is now in its tenth year.
Their drawback is that they're too small, but that will be changing over the next two years.