[transtraxman]

It seems that with the latest news this topic is most relevant.

[Henkel.Trocken]

As the CEO says, it’s all rumour and Qatar have no intention of joining one world. Traditionally Qatar were closer to LH than any other European carrier and if they were to join an alliance maybe it would be there they would look. As others have said though, they don’t have that much to gain and are in a strong position.

[VintageKrug]

It’s clear there’s more alignment in the offing.

Let’s not forget that in the early days, BA was aligned with America West (now part of US Airways) and had a codeshare with them until 2005 (I earned a few miles in BAEC via that link).

Indeed, in the distant and murky past, United was closely aligned to British Airways, hence United’s inconvenient present day co-location with BA in Terminal 7 at JFK.

There’s plenty of fluidity in these groupings, and a full oneworld membership isn’t necessarily right for every potential partner; much can be gained from a comprehensive code-share agreement and/or some sort of joint business with a select group of airlines even if this falls short of full oneworld membership, which carries with it costs and responsibilities which may not be prudent from some carriers to take on.

I’m still hoping to hear something from Oman Air; they’ve been very quiet recently. But they aren’t yet a player on the scale of Qatar and I fully expect to hear something in relation to a Middle East carrier at this Press Conference.

[LeTigre]

Not sure about Oman, they are great, but not a network carrier (they recently changed strategy to serving markets that optimise tourism), however, the FT says the Qatar deal is done.

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/18b19eca-0bbf-11e2-b8d8-00144feabdc0.html#axzz286CVdF7u

“Qatar Airways is set to be the first of the fast-expanding Gulf carriers to become a member of one of the global airline alliances, by agreeing to join oneworld.

…

High quality global journalism requires investment. Please share this article with others using the link below, do not cut & paste the article. See our Ts&Cs and Copyright Policy for more detail. Email <a href="mailto:[email protected]“>[email protected] to buy additional rights. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/18b19eca-0bbf-11e2-b8d8-00144feabdc0.html#ixzz286EhynLN

Qatar Airways, which has its hub in Doha, has been in discussions for several months about joining oneworld. An announcement could be made next Monday, although Qatar Airways and oneworld declined to comment.

…

IAG is in talks with Qatar Airways about the possibility of the carriers forming a joint business on routes between the UK and Australia.”

—THAT WAS AN EXCERPT FROM THE FT ARTICLE—

(Only the interesting bits!)

Seems strange that Mr Al Baker would be so defiant, though.

[VintageKrug]

Is he bipolar, maybe…?

This is excellent news; I hope also for a new announcement relating to a US carrier as well.

FT, which confirms Qatar will join, is considerably more reliable than Reuters, which is the source of the “airwise” report quoted below

[transtraxman]

AIRWISE, quoting Reuters, published 30/9 this…

“No Plans To Join oneworld: Qatar CEO”

http://news.airwise.com/story/view/1349056625.html

[Tom Otley]

There is still no comment from anyone – oneworld or Qatar Airways, but if the Financial Times is reporting it….

Will also be interesting to see what will happen over the much-delayed B787s.

http://www.businesstraveller.com/middle-east/news/qatar-airways-first-dreamliner-unveiled

They were supposed to be flying on the London – Doha route from August, but there’s still no date or information as to what is happening, and now it looks as though A330s are being considered instead.

http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/qatar-airways-discusses-a330-deal-in-wake-of-787-delay-377158/

[VintageKrug]

I’m still not certain it will be full membership, though.

Could just be a comprehensive interline and codeshare agreement, with a possibly route to oneworld membership in due course.

Remember Qatar were close to bmi, with reciprocal earning/burning which could have been the catalyst for this conversation.

[Hippocampus]

If true, this is a major coup for Oneworld, a huge boost to IAG and a body blow to Star Alliance.

[Henkel.Trocken]

According to the CEO, it isn’t true.

http://news.airwise.com/story/view/1349056625.html

The speculation is therefore pointless unless you think the CEO doesn’t know his own mind.

As before, Qatar were closer to LH than they were to anyone else.

[LeTigre]

I am with VK on this one, there is always the option of a watered-down membership package.

One thing worth remembering is that Mr Al Baker did in fact say a few weeks ago that if it were possible to enter discussions with BA over a comprehensive codeshare/revenue deal, these discussions would be “welcome”.

Please remember that a trio of reputable companies have quoted their own sources, the FT, Australian Business Traveller and most crucially, CAPA, the most reliable in the industry, as stating a deal is not far away.

As for the 787s…
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/10/02/qatar-boeing-dreamliner-idUSL6E8L2AUK20121002?type=marketsNews

Delivery could be MONTHS away!

[BeckyBoop]

Dont be too sure HT…

http://www.travelmole.com/news_feature.php?news_id=2001295

[AMcWhirter]

” [B787] delivery could be months away “

Latest news re QR’s B787 suggests that the airline will not take delivery until an engine defect is fixed.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/10/02/qatar-boeing-dreamliner-idUSL6E8L2AUK20121002?type=marketsNews

[AnthonyDunn]

The problem is emphatically with the General Electric New Generation engines rather than with the Rolls-Royce Trent 1000s. Why is it that so few Gulf carriers take RR engines rather than GE/P&W ones, I wonder…

[Bruce98]

Perhaps because they are worried that the RRs might blow up on the wing of their new A380 or ice up on their 777?

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