New Oneworld Members

[Evan]

As expected early this year...

Japan Airlines, Malév and Royal Jordanian to be part of oneworld from 1st April 2007

No word on when Dragonair and the other LAN companys, LAN Argentina and LAN Ecuador will officially be oneworld but still stated as 2007.

JAL is good news for those of us who travel to Japan for sure.

Evan

 

[Mal]

Aer Lingus also withdraws from OneWorld on the 1st April as well.

Full press release on both the additions and Aer Lingus leaving is here:

oneworld - News


No word yet on what eligible fare classes will exist for the various schemes.

 

[Evan]

You may be ablwe to have a rough guess at what earns and how much based on what these airlines like JAL offer to CX and AA members for example.

Its also nice to have some extra lounges to visit

QFF elites already get access to Tokyo/Narita business lounge and its quiet nice, not much food but drinks available, and that fantastic beer pouring machine, tips the glass as it pours your beer !
(As you can see just about anything will amuse you when your stuck in an airport with little to do)

Evan

 

[serfty]

...(As you can see just about anything will amuse you when your stuck in an airport with little to do)

Especially when it comes HP equivalents ...

 

[JohnK]

Malev will be an interesting addition to Oneworld especially for those travelling to/through Europe and wishing to avoid LHR.

Only hassle so far is airfares BKK-BUD are not available online so need to get in touch with travel agent in BKK for price and issue of tickets. Don't know how the airfares compare with the BA/QF alternative to LHR.

 

[Evan]

Malev i assume use the 2 x 767's on the BKK routes ?
The rest of the fleet is 737 and smaller, but all nice and new

When i am in Europe next i may just give that a go and see what they are like, also if there J fares are nice from BKK you could get a cheap Jet* or Thai to there and yet another way to make it into Europe.
And more options for eastern european destinations.

Evan

 

[NYCguy]

JAL is also introducing a domestic First product, and a Premium Y cabin for long-haul too:

http://www.jal.com/en/press/0000834/834.html

 

[Evan]

JAL is also introducing a domestic First product, and a Premium Y cabin for long-haul too:

JAL to Introduce Domestic First Class for the First Time & Introduce New International JAL Premium Economy in FY2007

Premium Economy looks nice Generally JAL price well so should be quiet reasonably priced i would hope.

If i read that correctly they will upgrade every aircraft in the fleet with new seats in 07 & 08, thats has to be a huge job. Wonder if the new classes of seats that some airlines like SQ & JL etc will have an impact on QF's plans ? I guess they must have thought about what they are doing with the 787's and A380's some time ago but could always change i could imagine.

 

[Supersonic Swinger]

Has anyone flown on Royal Jordanian and can share any experiences?

 

[simongr]

Just in relation to the affiliates - can you book a DONE4 with segments on the affiliate?

 

[serfty]

I don't believe any xONEx rules that take the new members into account have been published as yet.

Having posted that, currently airline affiliates are generally eligibility for xONEx, so I would be surised if that is not the case with JAL.

TRAVEL PERMITTED ON THE FOLLOWING AIRLINES WHICH ARE AFFILIATED WITH ONEWORLD -

ALL AFFILIATE CARRIER FLIGHTS MUST BE BOOKED USING AA/BA/IB/LA/QF DESIGNATORS -

AMERICAN AIRLINES - AMERICAN EAGLE INCLUDING FLIGHTS OPERATED BY EXECUTIVE AIR/AMERICAN CONNECTION INCLUDING FLIGHTS OPERATED BY CHAUTAUQUA AND TRANS STATES/REGIONSAIR.

BRITISH AIRWAYS - BA CONNECT/BMED/COMAIR/GB AIRWAYS/LOGAN AIR/SUN-AIR

IBERIA - AIR NOSTRUM LAN CHILE - LAN PERU/LAN EXPRESS

QANTAS - QANTAS LINK OPERATED BY NATIONAL JET SYSTEMS/EASTERN AUSTRALIA/SOUTHERN AUSTRALIA/ SUNSTATE AIRLINES/JETCONNECT AND EFFECTIVE FOR SALES ON/AFTER 01AUG06 - AUSTRALIAN AIRLINES. ...

QF CODESHARE SERVICES OPERATED BY JQ ARE NOT SALEABLE IN AU AND NZ.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Just in relation to the affiliates - can you book a DONE4 with segments on the affiliate?

yes, once they have in fact joined the alliance

 

[simongr]

That's great news then if Dragonair is becoming an affiliate to OW. COuld make my travel plans for later in the year a lot more interesting

the big challeng at the moment for me is potentially adding a PVG or SHA trip to the end of my DONE4 in March due to some changes in plans...

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

That's great news then if Dragonair is becoming an affiliate to OW. COuld make my travel plans for later in the year a lot more interesting

the big challeng at the moment for me is potentially adding a PVG or SHA trip to the end of my DONE4 in March due to some changes in plans...

I'd expect we'd have heard a start date by now if Dragonair was joining before March.

 

[openseat]

JAL is bookable on a Global Explorer.
Their website has a nice summary of Global Explorer prices all around the world. JAL International Flights - Global Explorer Fare (For Passenger)

 

[simongr]

Based on that I am best to get my UK business to book my flights and recharge my boss in NY...(I know its not a DONE4 fare but probably a reasonable comparison...

 

[garyjohn951]

contacts in HK tell me dragonair will be joining secoond half of this year.