With the growing momentum surrounding a potential US Air bid for American Airlines, I’m curious what you are thinking as far as the look of the new company and alliance allegiance should be if the two airlines combine. I know that this is a simplistic approach since there are many variables involved with alliance membership, but I’m sure opinions are out there!!
Cast your vote below!
[poll id=”5″]
As a UA flyer, I obviously I would like for them to stay in Star Alliance, but I think they will have much more power in ow, so I do think it makes sense for them to head that way. Hopefully they don’t merge though.
I would hate to see them leave Oneworld although I don’t think Oneworld would let that happen. Then Oneworld wouldn’t even have a north american carrier and would probably just dissolve. That would be too bad because I fly LAN a lot in South America. I know you said it is a simplistic approach but there is no possible way they could merge and stay in separate alliances! Unless they continued to operated as separate carriers, then maybe it could work.
I love Deirdre’s idea! But if I have to choose, I’d rather see them both in oneworld so there is still wide coverage in the USA in oneworld.
It seems that with the proliferation of out-of-alliance codeshares, joint ventures, and interline agreements, alliances are no longer necessary for survival, and may have higher costs than benefits over a model like Alaska, Jetblue, or Emirates.
I bet we would see the joint carrier go to OneWorld, as IAG will lobby heavily for its support, whereas United may not fight hard for its long-time partner
@deidre – I like that one best! 🙂
d) both airlines in both alliances. 🙂