V-Flyer

Since the denial by Qatar that they're joining and alliance, there's a growing rumour on these shores that US Airways will be switching to OneWorld with a major announcement coming out in NYC on Monday.

All of this, as I've said before, would in my mind be a catalyst for VS to join either *A or SkyTeam.

Apparently Delta and Alaska are making an announcement on Monday too. Watch this space.

Well Qatar changed their mind quickly!

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/09/busin ... world.html

Ethiad + AF/KL announced a code-share deal, I wonder if that could be a pre-cursor to Ethiad joining SkyTeam - the landscape certainly feels to be rapidly shifting.

Makes VS look increasingly marginalised and isolated doesn't it? Even EK is now in a psuedo alliance with Qantas.

For my travel I think its a massive blow to Virgin. I havent done my TR on my recent travel to JFK and back but in short Virgin were as a whole very good. Which means it's a real pity that i'll probably switch to BA/Qatar/American for most of my travel now.

I havent tried Qatar airways but the reviews make it clear that its an excellent airline that I would love to fly on. BA and Qatar cover so many more destinations than Virgin now, and as I travel short-haul much more than long-haul it seems that i'm better earning miles, tiers etc on one flying scheme.

Virgin need to get some more proper airline partners or just get on and join an alliance because I agree with the previous post; they are looking marginalised and isolated and it won't do them any favours in winning business from people travelling internationally on Virgin to London.

I agree, hopefully VS can come up with some more partners or an alliance membership soon.

For what its worth, Qatar has been outstanding in my limited experience. The Qatar biz class food is the best I've ever had on a plane.

clarkeysntfc wrote:Makes VS look increasingly marginalised and isolated doesn't it? Even EK is now in a psuedo alliance with Qantas.

Absolutely it does. As much as I hate United, using miles with them is an absolute doddle. I know this isn't so much about miles but VS can't stand on their own forever, it must have dawned on them since they've been looking at selling the airline for a couple of years now. Who knows? I'm constantly near the point of just giving up on VS. !

RewardSeats wrote:Well Qatar changed their mind quickly!

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/09/busin ... world.html

Ethiad + AF/KL announced a code-share deal, I wonder if that could be a pre-cursor to Ethiad joining SkyTeam - the landscape certainly feels to be rapidly shifting.

Interesting that Etihad is pushing Air Berlin to form a bilateral agreement with AF/KLM and focus less on OneWorld, I suspect there's big changes to the alliance make up coming in the next 6 months.