Delta buys 20% of LATAM, which will exit oneworld

[Mrmaxwell]

From what I know QF has a big investment in the expansion of SCL with new lounges and gates, it seems odd this would be brushed aside. LATAM also rely heavily on QF for seats as their own SCL-SYD flights are notoriously overbooked so these parallel flights benefit both carriers. In saying this this QF must ensure seats from SCL to both GRU, GIG, LIM and EZE if they have any hope of making the international route a go.

Having just flown around Sth America on several LATAM internal flights it will make it difficult without status as 'Grupo 1' is a must have for boarding first and getting some space for cabin bags, not to mention burning 10-20k points instead of $500+ one way fares (one route was charging an eye watering $1770 one way while only 10k points!)

 

[dajop]

One thing, to remember in all of this that the alliances are merely playthings of the big three US carriers in concert with their transatlantic JV partners (UA/LH, AA/IAG, DL/KF/AF)!!

For DL whilst it certainly makes sense for them to divorce LATAM from the AA relationship (hence oneworld has to go) it may make sense financially for LATAM to continue with the QF relationship outside of an alliance. For QFi, the "out of alliance" JVs are probably more important than oneworld - look at EK, MU, AF/KL, NZ relationships, which are all potential precedents for a future relationship with LATAM.

 

[JohnM]

As for Africa, I'm still glad QF has the EK deal. Flying to ADD via DXB in December is good. Also Qatar adds connections into Africa, albeit flying the long way around. Africa was always a bit light on for OW, but it wasn't as popular a destination that South America is and the whole that LATAM leaves behind.

Agree that the QF/EK partnership is great - but it is no good for a DONEx. That’s further reason why I’ll be looking hard at RAM.

 

[mtbsafari]

There isn't a lot of choice in South America but if I had the opportunity I'd choose Avianca over LATAM anyday, and give Aerolineas Argentinas a wide berth. And Qantas does some good combination fares with AV to Bogota, which is where I find myself mostly travelling these days. The points earn on LATAM isn't that great anyways. Not enough to change my flying preferences.

 

[drron]

And AA going to increase flights to South America.

Wow: American Increasing Flights To South America (And More)

American Airlines has announced new flights to South America and London, as they go on the defense against Delta. Here's what we can expect.

onemileatatime.com

 

[RooFlyer]

And AA going to increase flights to South America.

But out of Miami!

 

[drron]

But out of Miami!

What have you got against Spanish speaking airport staff.

 

[RooFlyer]

What have you got against Spanish speaking airport staff.

Nothing. Just the whole airport in general. I have 'no fly' airlines, and I have 'no use' airports. MIA is at the top of the list. LHR is close to the top. It took a fair bit of cunning to avoid both on my DONE4 next year.

 

[nickfromeastryde]

There isn't a lot of choice in South America but if I had the opportunity I'd choose Avianca over LATAM anyday, and give Aerolineas Argentinas a wide berth. And Qantas does some good combination fares with AV to Bogota, which is where I find myself mostly travelling these days. The points earn on LATAM isn't that great anyways. Not enough to change my flying preferences.

Also need to fly into Bogota once or twice a year but have never seen these combo fares with AV. Can you give me some hints on where to find them?

 

[nickfromeastryde]

Nothing. Just the whole airport in general. I have 'no fly' airlines, and I have 'no use' airports. MIA is at the top of the list. LHR is close to the top. It took a fair bit of cunning to avoid both on my DONE4 next year.

What issues do you have with MIA? Have found it not too bad over last few years, better than many of the other American ports in my opinion.

 

[mtbsafari]

Also need to fly into Bogota once or twice a year but have never seen these combo fares with AV. Can you give me some hints on where to find them?

I search using Momondo. They are not always the cheapest fare but sometimes the connections are better.

 

[nickfromeastryde]

I search using Momondo. They are not always the cheapest fare but sometimes the connections are better.

Thanks for getting back to me, I was thinking price when I read your post, know what you mean re long connection times.

 

[juddles]

Also need to fly into Bogota once or twice a year but have never seen these combo fares with AV. Can you give me some hints on where to find them?

Haven't searched for a year now, but I used to buy these consistently - directly via the QF website. QF metal to SCL, then on to BOG direct on AV. Searching the QF site for BNE-BOG used to give about half the options with LATAM for SCL-BOG, the other half AV for that leg. My main reason was to avoid the LATAM substitutions (Wamos planes) due to the 787 engine issues.
Probably the only down side is that the AV lounge in SCL is pretty dismal. And if you are in business, half the AV flights are just little planes without real J seats. (on that topic, be advised that AV116 SCL-BOG is an A319 - these sometimes appear as a "767" on some info sites - Avianca do not have 767's.)

 

[RooFlyer]

What issues do you have with MIA? Have found it not too bad over last few years, better than many of the other American ports in my opinion.

I should qualify by saying for international flights. Chronic crowding in general, but especially in immigration. Poorly laid out immigration area too.

3 consecutive visits to that zoo, and I'm done.

 

[Mattg]

American is apparently in talks with GOL.

American Airlines In Talks With Gol

American Airlines is in the talks with Gol after losing its Latin American partner LATAM to Delta.

loyaltylobby.com

If there was any airline that could replace LATAM as a Oneworld member in South America, my money would be on GOL. (Realistically, the only other South American airline that could join Oneworld at this point would be Azul, but Azul is heavily aligned with United.)

 

[Long_20]

Just came back from a trip to South America. LATAM flights were hard to find but they had incredibly low taxes and fees. Would be a shame if QANTAS couldn't work out an agreement with them once they leave Oneworld.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

Just came back from a trip to South America. LATAM flights were hard to find but they had incredibly low taxes and fees. Would be a shame if QANTAS couldn't work out an agreement with them once they leave Oneworld.

The world doesn't need more hackjob codeshare agreements. These intra-alliance codeshares and partnerships are good money-spinners for the airlines, but a horrible experience for passengers. If LATAM leaves Oneworld - your benefits (as QF elite status holder) with them will NEVER be the same as they are right now, even under a new partnership, regardless of the assurance or whatever spin Qantas puts on a new partnership.

I do wonder why other OW airlines haven't teamed up with QR to do a new deal to get rid of Delta.

 

[Long_20]

The world doesn't need more hackjob codeshare agreements. These intra-alliance codeshares and partnerships are good money-spinners for the airlines, but a horrible experience for passengers. If LATAM leaves Oneworld - your benefits (as QF elite status holder) with them will NEVER be the same as they are right now, even under a new partnership, regardless of the assurance or whatever spin Qantas puts on a new partnership.

I do wonder why other OW airlines haven't teamed up with QR to do a new deal to get rid of Delta.

Still would be better to have that option to redeem points on LATAM flights than not at all isnt it?

 

[justinbrett]

Nothing. Just the whole airport in general. I have 'no fly' airlines, and I have 'no use' airports. MIA is at the top of the list. LHR is close to the top. It took a fair bit of cunning to avoid both on my DONE4 next year.

MIA is a great airport, flying AA at least. The flagship lounge is one of the best.

 

[RooFlyer]

I should qualify by saying for international flights. Chronic crowding in general, but especially in immigration. Poorly laid out immigration area too.

3 consecutive visits to that zoo, and I'm done.

MIA is a great airport, flying AA at least. The flagship lounge is one of the best.

Yes, that lounge isn't bad ... for a Nth American lounge. But for me, a great lounge does not a great airport make. For me its about the core function of getting me on and off an aircraft in as best condition as possible. And my last 3 experiences there have been pretty bad.