Seems like VS will join an alliance

See here - but isn't giving up control.

As I read it, and it's very brief, SRB may join an alliance, but keep control.

So, maybe this will be a good thing. -- VS maintains it's "character", but we get the benefits of an alliance - more connections, shared miles opportunities, checked through baggage etc.

I'm not sure though, just how independent you can be within an alliance - i.e., how much pressure the other members of that alliance can apply...

It might work to our benefit....???

This came out of yesterdays mammoth (by their size) VX Airbus order which was announced at TLS and was a hell of a lot more newsworthy than the alliance, almost, throw away comments.

I take it with a pinch of salt as this is just some journalists making nothing out of a couple of tight lipped remarks by SRB. Yes its more indication than ever but to be fair SRB comments are not one thing or the other really. Almost stalling tactics saying we are interested in an alliance. In fact thinking about it, this is nothing new, as far back as 2000 SRB was quoted as saying "we are evaluating all options regarding alliances".

I say this because at the same press conference SRB was asked about the 380 again, and once again stated that it will be arriving and will fly in VS colours. This resulted in a couple of articles talking about the 380 in VS colours etc. Its all about keeping hte Virgin name at the front of the press minds.

I'm not sure though, just how independent you can be within an alliance - i.e., how much pressure the other members of that alliance can apply...

Depends on your weight/value to the alliance. If your SQ, for example, you can pretty much tell *A what you will and will not do. LH/TG/UA/AC etc allow SQ to do this as they wish to keep the brand in the alliance as it boosts its image etc. I am not sure how much say VS will have either in *A or in Skyteam (where AF/KL/DL are the big hitters).

I am not sure LH let anyone do anything they want. IMO with all the protectionism going on with them, they are the threat to to the airline industry rather than anything from the Gulf regions.

VS needs something, be it a buy-out from a major airline or joining an alliance. It's now just a mainstream airline rather than a boutique one and it can't be good to stay that small whilst everyone else builds around you. FF status is an obsession globally rather than just a US and people fly and stay for that reason. At the current time the VS route network and FF programme doesn't cut the mustard.

I am surprised that this thread has not gathered more pace on here.

A.net has a rather lengthy thread on this now.

Surely the mile whores amongst you must be worrying about devaluing of miles, even further lack of availability of Z fares, reward seats and the like.

I am surprised that this thread has not gathered more pace on here.

A.net has a rather lengthy thread on this now.

Surely the mile whores amongst you must be worrying about devaluing of miles, even further lack of availability of Z fares, reward seats and the like.

With a hint of rising to the bait...

To be honest, yes potential reward seat numbers could change, devaluing? redemption levels aren't that special against others...especially given VS's fare caveats... however there is the flip side of more opportunities opening up on an existing (lets be honest) quite restricted route map, hey may even be able to use the miles on less restrictive fares with other partners and even earn miles for mini!! v(
I'm not particularly excited or worried, as its all just noise and has been for too long now..either do it or don't - do it soon so we know what's happening as 2012 may be a BA switch year for the NH's.. :w

NH I can see where your coming from. However if VS was to join *A I can see all the loyal UA fliers ex LHR flocking to VS for reward seats (or normal) due to the much better product offered by VS when compared to UA.

I certainly cannot remember a time when the press/armchair CEO's were so busy talking about Virgin Group members joining alliances. Certainly the planned DJ/NZ link up, and DJ being invited to the big *A shindig in ZQN, has helped stoke the fire but I think its only a matter of time now rather than if....just need SR rather than SRB to come out with something concrete.

The trouble is the mixed bag that VS is. The LHR airline could be attractive and still has boutique elements (the LHR fastrack and clubhouse)- if there was a will, someone innovative and the money for innovation it could go forward as a boutique small carrier and part of an aliiance- and the obvious one would be Skyteam I think who don't have a Strong loved UK/LHR presence.It wouldn't take too much to take it forward. It needs investment and I would like a non-core airline investor.

But then there is Dr Jekyll the holiday UK routes - a very different kettle of fish - not sure how that would stack up with an allince or an investor and it just isn't a boutique market.

I don't know what each generates though in termsof revenue and margin

This has all gone very quiet again...

Anymore rumours or curved balls being thrown about.....

Not sure there's anything to discuss is there?

Haven't seen/heard anything new in the public domain.....personally, I'll just wait for something tohappen and make my choice.