Ethiad cleared to buy 10% of VA

As Ethiad have been given approval to buy 10% of Virgin Australia perhaps this is a sign of the direction that VS might take and explain why they have resisted joining an exisiting alliance.

I don't think VS have resisted joining an alliance, more that an alliance hasn't wanted to take them.

I don't think VS have resisted joining an alliance, more that an alliance hasn't wanted to take them.

That is an interesting take on the whole item.
Can I ask what you think would be such a "bad thing" for VS to join an alliance?

VS would be a huge asset to any alliance - look at some of the dregs of airlines that have been allowed to join them.
I think that is the problem - why would VS want to join in with some of these players.

The VA / Etihad relationship always looked like it would go further - now the really interesting thing would be if Etihad purchased SQ's 49% of VS.

As for alliances, well I'm becoming a swing vote, yes I'd like it and particularly so that we have a decent US airline to earn miles and TPs on, just one good US based partner will solve a lot (and I hear of things in this direction). Note, I write this on the fabulous inflight internet on a VX flight from BOS to SFO - but the issue with VX is that it's a great transcon airline but if I want to go from BOS to DCA then I'm earning EC miles with BA and nothing with VS.

The VA / Etihad relationship always looked like it would go further - now the really interesting thing would be if Etihad purchased SQ's 49% of VS.

As for alliances, well I'm becoming a swing vote, yes I'd like it and particularly so that we have a decent US airline to earn miles and TPs on, just one good US based partner will solve a lot (and I hear of things in this direction). Note, I write this on the fabulous inflight internet on a VX flight from BOS to SFO - but the issue with VX is that it's a great transcon airline but if I want to go from BOS to DCA then I'm earning EC miles with BA and nothing with VS.

I'm with you, esp being based over here. I really do believe that the inevitable US/AA merger will force VS into action. As and when that merger goes through, it'll leave VS without a US network partner, having already lost continental, this will be a headache for them. OneWorld will become yet more powerful and I would imagine that UA will soften their resolve regards VS.

... OneWorld will become yet more powerful and I would imagine that UA will soften their resolve regards VS.

Yes I suspected that UA didn't want VS in *A, who'd want to fly UA in comparison to VS ): . I hope what I heard from VS comes true, a new partner in the US with a pretty strong route network. I'll look forward to that, I like flying with them!

When I met SR, they were talking to a certain Atlanta based behemoth. Not a bad choice if it turns out to be them, they've greatly improved their product lately.

But yes, they really need someone with a strong network.....VX, whilst being a great and logical partner, is never going to be that airline.

On the subject of UA and the *A, they have a very interesting partnership with LH on transatlantic routes - basically, doesn't matter which one you're ticketed with, they split the revenue 50/50.

Would any alliance require vs to share their lounge facilities with partner customers. They might not want to do this.

I think a fair degree of what is offered to partners is dictated by the airline themselves, take for instance SQ and their lack of biz class reward availability, thus I suspect that VS could still restrict the CH to UC pax and Au card holders only if it really wanted to.

[honey lamb]

When I met SR, they were talking to a certain Atlanta based behemoth. Not a bad choice if it turns out to be them, they've greatly improved their product lately.

But yes, they really need someone with a strong network.....VX, whilst being a great and logical partner, is never going to be that airline.

I remember when Delta was a FC partner. It was a nightmare trying to get reward flights ex-USA v(

When I met SR, they were talking to a certain Atlanta based behemoth. Not a bad choice if it turns out to be them, they've greatly improved their product lately.

But yes, they really need someone with a strong network.....VX, whilst being a great and logical partner, is never going to be that airline.

I remember when Delta was a FC partner. It was a nightmare trying to get reward flights ex-USA v(

Can't say I've ever tried getting reward flights with DL, UA on the other hand, and as much as I don't like them, are brilliant with their reward availability. Their matrix shows a good spread, with partners too.

I'd rather swim to America than fly UA.

I hope that if VS joins an alliance it prevents non-VS flyers from entering (and clogging up) the CH and also somehow keeps reward flight availability at a decent level.

Frankly, VS' service is light years ahead of the US carriers so I'd expect them to be swamped.

I'd rather swim to America than fly UA.

I hope that if VS joins an alliance it prevents non-VS flyers from entering (and clogging up) the CH and also somehow keeps reward flight availability at a decent level.

Frankly, VS' service is light years ahead of the US carriers so I'd expect them to be swamped.

It's up to VS; they can restrict reward availability (and lets face it, they already do) to just VS flying club members bar economy which is pretty much what SQ do.

UA First Class product is actually pretty good, maybe not service etc but the actual seat is fairly similar to what you get in first with BA.

The fundamental point though, VS desperately need a strong US network partner as they're almost certain to lose US. It leaves only DL or UA.

The fundamental point though, VS desperately need a strong US network partner as they're almost certain to lose US. It leaves only DL or UA.

or a 'new' one like Jet Blue

The fundamental point though, VS desperately need a strong US network partner as they're almost certain to lose US. It leaves only DL or UA.

or a 'new' one like Jet Blue

Now wouldn't that be nice

The fundamental point though, VS desperately need a strong US network partner as they're almost certain to lose US. It leaves only DL or UA.

or a 'new' one like Jet Blue

But there is no First Class! :-S

I like jetblue, but they're an east coast version of vx. They're not network, but rather point-to-point. If that's the route virgin go, its not completely daft but in the long run they'll need someone else.

Don't forget, jetblue already interline with vs on certain routes.

[honey lamb]

Don't forget, jetblue already interline with vs on certain routes.

And EI

Indeed they do. Jetblue are big fans of the one way codeshare, i.e you can book with EI from Dublin to Buffalo but you can't book buffalo to Dublin with B6.

I have used Jet Blue and they are great but VS need a true trans-Atlantic partner