Etihad (EY) invited to join One World

[markis10]

As mentioned on FT!

EY has been invited to join oneworld - Tom Horton (CEO AA) - FlyerTalk Forums

Should make for an interesting situation locally!

Kingfisher not part of 'oneworld' alliance: Horton | Business Standard

"We have an important presence in the Indian subcontinent through our member carriers like Qatar Airways and Sri Lankan Airlines flying into India," Horton said, adding that Etihad Airways was also being extended an invitation to join the alliance.

 

[ChrisFlyer]

I just laughed out loud...

This should be interesting!!

 

[MarcB]

What would this mean for VA codeshares???

 

[anat0l]

I just laughed out loud...

This should be interesting!!

Agreed - I know it's probably April 1 somewhere in the Solar System, but what the........

Of course, this will make things very interesting with VA if it comes to fruition, let alone with QF/EK (though that partnership is only 5 years currently - enough time to mull over, EY to make a decision, then so on....)

Finally, QR is coming into the fold. oneworld seriously trying to get a lock down on the majority of the three major pre-eminent Middle Eastern carriers?

If I had to place a bet, I'd see VA joining a world alliance before EY joins oneworld. If I recall correctly, QF and EY used to be in a partnership of sorts, but I imagine there's a fair amount of friction between James Hogan and Alan Joyce; hardly see it as feasible that they'd like to be in the same clique again...

 

[docjames]

Would love to see and EY flight with both VA and QF codeshares....

 

[drewbles]

EY own a chunk of VA. EY join OW. EY lift ownership in VA. VA join OW.

Now that would be interesting (and yes, I know there's almost not a snowballs chance in hell of this happening, but at least it would mean I could just keep QF or VA WP and save many dollars ).

 

[SeatBackForward]

EY own a chunk of VA. EY join OW. EY lift ownership in VA. VA join OW.

Now that would be interesting (and yes, I know there's almost not a snowballs chance in hell of this happening, but at least it would mean I could just keep QF or VA WP and save many dollars ).

While we're playing hypothetical..QF sees the above as a threat, departs OW and joins EK in forming a new alliance program.

 

[kpc]

Aren't EY and EK major competitors? That would put QF in an awkward situation if EY joined OW

 

[Must...Fly!]

Well this is interesting....

Perhaps more to Air Berlin acquisition that meets the eye.

And now causes potential issues for Qantas...let's say EY join, how lucky are VA getting at the moment..??

And I wonder what QR think of all this?

Bizarre....

 

[Fruitcake]

James Hogan on alliances two months ago:

Etihad boss blasts airline alliances as bloated dinosaurs | Australian Aviation Magazine

Legacy airline alliance have outlived their usefulness and become a drag on innovation, Etihad CEO James Hogan has argued... “The traditional airline alliances have evolved into slow-to-respond, bureaucratic organisations which struggle to deliver added value to their member airlines, many of which are no longer compatible with each other,” Hogan said during a speech at the International Aviation Club in Washington DC.

And three weeks ago:
EXCLUSIVE: Etihad CEO Slams Legacy Alliances » Gulf Business

“The legacy alliances have evolved into slow-to-respond, bureaucratic organisations which struggle to deliver added value to their member airlines, many of which are no longer compatible with each other.“It is easier, faster, and far more cost effective for Etihad Airways to grow through one-on-one partnerships with established, respected, carriers than to rely on its own resources and to start from scratch in every market,” he said.

...but having said that, Alan Joyce's view of EK switched from devil incarnate to predestined saviour fairly quickly!

 

[smit0847]

EY have probably been 'invited' to join all 3 alliances. It doesn't mean they will. I've been 'invited to save' during David Jones stocktake sales, doesn't mean I shop there.

EY, EK and QR are all fierce rivals - it makes as much sense to have EY and QR together in OW as it does to have VA and QF in OW together.

Will. Not. Happen.

I could see EY possibly joining *A but I don't think they really need each other - EY seems to be doing fine by itself even in the shadow or its enormous brother and I personally think there are too many airlines in *A with little quality control (OW are much more discerning and Sky Team pick up whatever scraps are left).

 

[RooFlyer]

I was looking to see who Etihad's sponsor into 1W might be; nothing on the 1W web site about this, and in the BS story its a 1 liner.

Treating it as a thought bubble for now.

 

[ChrisFlyer]

I thought it said somewhere that AA was the sponsor? I could have misread though.

 

[drron]

The article does say it was AAs current chairman Tom Horton who said EY has been invited to join OW.
EY does have a close relationship with AA
American Airlines
And just remember QR's CEO was denying QR was going to join an alliance the day before the announcement they were going to join OW.
But the article does say they have been invited.It says nothing about whether they will accept the invitation.

 

[atreides]

This is just too funny, I can't wait to see how this plays out.

 

[Berlin]

EY have probably been 'invited' to join all 3 alliances. It doesn't mean they will. I've been 'invited to save' during David Jones stocktake sales, doesn't mean I shop there.

One of the most funny comments in a long time, laughing my butt off!

 

[CaviAck]

This would be very interesting to see how it pans out. Imagine earning QFF SC's and points while flying on VA metal under a EY codeshare!

 

[samh004]

Seems like a bad fit, and not just because of QF/EK, but QR joining too.

Not that Australian regulators would have any say but I can't imagine they'd be happy with potential QF earning on EY but flying VA.

Not to mention VA would then be partnered with airlines from 1W, *A & ST. A crazy position.

 

[markis10]

Seems like a bad fit, and not just because of QF/EK, but QR joining too.

Not that Australian regulators would have any say but I can't imagine they'd be happy with potential QF earning on EY but flying VA.

Not to mention VA would then be partnered with airlines from 1W, *A & ST. A crazy position.

Its really a case of partnerships versus alliances, AA have been courting EK, who have now said they wont do another tie up like what they have done with QF, so I suspect AA have decided to work on EY who already credit to their FF program for EY operated and marketed flights.

 

[samh004]

Its really a case of partnerships versus alliances, AA have been courting EK, who have now said they wont do another tie up like what they have done with QF, so I suspect AA have decided to work on EY who already credit to their FF program for EY operated and marketed flights.

That's a shame, AA, EK, QF could be the partnership! Time to cut BA out