Aer Lingus set to accept IAG (BA) takeover bid, back into OW?

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ogs70

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IrishTimes article here

Seems as though this has a lot to do with BA/IAG obtaining further lucrative LHR slots.

Assume AI brand will continue if the bid is accepted and approved, and potentially in the future will see AI re-entering OW as an affiliate of BA..
 
Why would they rejoin as a BA affiliate? IB isn't an affiliate.
The only reason US joined as an AA affiliate is because the US brand is going away as the merger progresses.

The reason AI left oneworld in the first place is because they didn't want to pay to link up their systems with the then 3 new incoming members (JL, RJ, MA). Have the system link requirements/methods changed so that it would lower or remove said cost?
 
Why would they rejoin as a BA affiliate? IB isn't an affiliate.
The only reason US joined as an AA affiliate is because the US brand is going away as the merger progresses.

I was thinking more along the lines of CX/KA. AI has not been true full service airline since 06/07, although has got much better in recent times. But who knows?

The reason AI left oneworld in the first place is because they didn't want to pay to link up their systems with the then 3 new incoming members (JL, RJ, MA). Have the system link requirements/methods changed so that it would lower or remove said cost?

That was 9 years ago, AFAIK they now have a more standard reservations system and assume they would be able to integrate with much less financial overhead. Plus, if the IAG bid is successful, it would be a complete different set of circumstances and IT expenditure would unlikely play such huge part into whatever decision if/when made regarding integrating EI into OW.
 
I was thinking more along the lines of CX/KA. AI has not been true full service airline since 06/07, although has got much better in recent times. But who knows?

Will be interesting to see - while you can still book AI using QFF points, I have noticed the YQ was significant for reward redemption, very interesting if it is not a full service airline. All cash money tickets had baggage as an extra cost too, though the way things are going that may become the norm rather than the exception on a 'full service' international airline.

That was 9 years ago, AFAIK they now have a more standard reservations system and assume they would be able to integrate with much less financial overhead. Plus, if the IAG bid is successful, it would be a complete different set of circumstances and IT expenditure would unlikely play such huge part into whatever decision if/when made regarding integrating EI into OW.

+1, and surely one of the cases for the merger is to leverage economies of scale, including streamlining IT systems.
 
Isn't EI already an OW affiliate? Don't both BA & QF book tickets on them?
 
Isn't EI already an OW affiliate? Don't both BA & QF book tickets on them?
No. EI joined oneworld in mid 2000 as one of the first new members after the alliance founding. The carrier left upon JL, RJ and MA joining in 2007 as it was turning into a semi low cost carrier for cost saving and didn't want to pay to link its IT systems to the new members.
It has codeshares and bilateral agreements with some oneworld members (mainly BA) and still takes part in the Global Explorer fare (xGLOBnn).

Even if the sale to IAG goes through, it doesn't mean that EI will rejoin oneworld. IAG owns Vueling (which uses the same FFP as IB) and VY isn't part of oneworld.
 
IAG have mentioned that they intend for EI to rejoin oneworld if the sale goes through. I would expect that they'd provide the necessary resources to have EI link their IT systems to other oneworld carriers.
 
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Would be nice to see OW growing again, but this all looks more like IAG growing. Perhaps they'll take on Etihad ;)
Maybe IAG will buy QF. QF and BA did attempt to merge a while ago (didn't happen because QF wanted more out of the deal then BA was offering).
 
Maybe IAG will buy QF. QF and BA did attempt to merge a while ago (didn't happen because QF wanted more out of the deal then BA was offering).

Given BA's significant devaluation of Avios earning and burning yesterday they would probably be a good fit.
 
Given BA's significant devaluation of Avios earning and burning yesterday they would probably be a good fit.

I haven't looked at that closely yet - is Avios now as lowly valued as QFF or still better? Their Australian redemption rates used to be very good.
 
Qantas to gain new partner as Aer Lingus rejoins Oneworld - Australian Business Traveller

Looks to be going ahead. I have only flown them once, but it was a great flight Dublin-NYC and super cheap too. Best part was having american customs in Dublin, no JFK hold ups was awesome.

The quoted headline is a little deceptive, they will not gain a new partner, but will strengthen their existing partnership to offer full oneworld partner benefits. You can already earn and redeem on Aer Lingus, and have done so for many years, just that when they left oneworld, the status and alliance benefits disappeared.
 
I haven't looked at that closely yet - is Avios now as lowly valued as QFF or still better? Their Australian redemption rates used to be very good.

Avios still worth more than Qantas points IMO but much closer than used to be. The big burn devaluation was for premium cabins unfortunately. Earn on discount economy hit hard too. Copay pretty similar to QF.

Remains a good programme for status (full SC earning on all OW partners) if you can do the 4 BA flights.

For redemptions the reward flight savers and short-haul in US are still good value
 
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