Is Virgin set to join Star Alliance?

[connieguy]

Interesting reading:

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jonbrun...l-join-an-alliance-soon-says-richard-branson/

Is Virgin set to join Star Alliance? - Flights | hotels | frequent flyer | business class - Australian Business Traveller

 

[harvyk]

Yeah, it's a when not if, and my money is on *A...
Given SQ - the 49% shareholder is an *A airline and given *A has been missing any sort of real AU representation since AN went bust, plus OW is all but out thanks to BA \ QF...
I believe the only real ST tieup is the VA \ DL codeshare agreement with transpac services, but even then I'm pretty sure QF operate transpac codeshare services for non-OW airlines, so I doubt that VA running codeshare services as a *A member for a ST member would be a problem.

 

[connieguy]

Yeah, it's a when not if, and my money is on *A...
Given SQ - the 49% shareholder is an *A airline and given *A has been missing any sort of real AU representation since AN went bust, plus OW is all but out thanks to BA \ QF...
I believe the only real ST tieup is the VA \ DL codeshare agreement with transpac services, but even then I'm pretty sure QF operate transpac codeshare services for non-OW airlines, so I doubt that VA running codeshare services as a *A member for a ST member would be a problem.

I found it interesting the focus seems to be with Virgin Atlantic doing the deal with the alliance and not the 2 other Branson groups. One could imaging Branson holding them back to get a better deal. Interesting times ahead for Branson's FFers. October could be the month for a few announcements from QF, Branson and the new alliance.....

 

[markis10]

I found it interesting the focus seems to be with Virgin Atlantic doing the deal with the alliance and not the 2 other Branson groups. One could imaging Branson holding them back to get a better deal. Interesting times ahead for Branson's FFers. October could be the month for a few announcements from QF, Branson and the new alliance.....

Why it is interesting when a star alliance member is the majority shareholder of VS?

This is hardly news BTW

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....n-seeks-alliance-membership-virgin-27658.html

 

[connieguy]

Why it is interesting when a star alliance member is the majority shareholder of VS?

This is hardly news BTW

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....n-seeks-alliance-membership-virgin-27658.html

The Forbes article, quoting Branson directly, was published 14 Sept 2011. Your link above was in Jan 2011.
Virgin Atlantic Will Join an Alliance Soon, Says Richard Branson - Forbes

I have not seen this statement mentioned here before nor have I seen any reference to Branson saying Virgin Atlantic was joining an alliance. Before was just rumors. Now we have it directly from Branson and saying the announcement will be made soon.

 

[oz_mark]

I have not seen this statement mentioned here before nor have I seen any reference to Branson saying Virgin Atlantic was joining an alliance. Before was just rumors. Now we have it directly from Branson and saying the announcement will be made soon.

It's consistent with what he said at the start of the year. At that time he said there should be something within a year. Read the BusinessWeek article from January: http://www.businessweek.com/news/20...-alliance-membership-for-virgin-atlantic.html

 

[markis10]

The Forbes article, quoting Branson directly, was published 14 Sept 2011. Your link above was in Jan 2011.
Virgin Atlantic Will Join an Alliance Soon, Says Richard Branson - Forbes

I have not seen this statement mentioned here before nor have I seen any reference to Branson saying Virgin Atlantic was joining an alliance. Before was just rumors. Now we have it directly from Branson and saying the announcement will be made soon.

My link has this quote from January

“We’ve enjoyed being independent but we think that having some kind of alliance attached to Virgin Atlantic will make us that much stronger,” Branson said today in an interview from Toulouse, France. “We’re going to need a big brother to take us through the next 30 years.”

Like I said - old news or speculation pending an announcement that Branson said himself would be within a year of last Jan.

I hate recycled garbage when its made to look new!

 

[oz_mark]

I hate recycled garbage when its made to look new!

The quote is new. Just what he was saying, wasn't

 

[connieguy]

Some more Virgin Atlantic news:
Merger and acquisition consultants to be needed for airline deal?

 

[markis10]

The quote is new. Just what he was saying, wasn't

Bit like the kids asking "are we there yet"?

 

[Awesom Andy]

Yeah, it's a when not if, and my money is on *A...
Given SQ - the 49% shareholder is an *A airline and given *A has been missing any sort of real AU representation since AN went bust, plus OW is all but out thanks to BA \ QF...
I believe the only real ST tieup is the VA \ DL codeshare agreement with transpac services

With *A, they won't need the DL link anymore, with UA/CO doing the hauling up that side of the globe.

 

[SeaWolf]

With *A, they won't need the DL link anymore, with UA/CO doing the hauling up that side of the globe.

Even when they do join *A they might well maintain the DL link anyway. Many airlines in alliances still have arrangements with airlines in other alliance. Such as QANTAS and South African.