In 2018, Air France-KLM and Qantas launched a partnership, initially consisting of a codeshare agreement. In 2019, that was expanded to also include reciprocal loyalty perks. There’s now a positive update, as the parties will cooperate even more closely, especially when it comes to loyalty.
Continue reading: Air France-KLM & Qantas Partnership Expanded, With New Loyalty Perks
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
All this makes perfect sense, but it would still be hilarious if AF/KLM and Delta invested in QF and brought it into SkyTeam with joint ventures. What an indictment of how badly run AA is that would be (not that we need any more proof).
While I don't see it realistically joining SkyTeam, QF would be a lot more prosperous in SkyTeam vs. how it currently is in oneworld.
AF/KLM is actually quite interestingly aligned with many OW members. You can even book JAL, MH, or Oman with Flying Blue
Too bad that both AF & KL terminated Australia service over the years. Guess it would not be financially feasible or competitive at present to allocate at least one of them resume service.
I don't think they currently have an aircraft of flying it non-stop and would have to again route it through a tech stop in SE Asia. Guess there's far too much competition there to even take advantage of fifth freedom rights.
I don’t see the mutual benefit.
AF KL getting access to QF F redemptions.
AF KL getting access to QF F class lounges.
And QF is getting……..?
I honestly would love to see Qantas joining Skyteam. Their relationship with Oneworld is currently at a mess, especially with the whole beef surrounding them and Qatar Airways.
Additionally, they seem to be closer with Air France-KLM than British Airways these days because of how much they're expanding their partnership over the years.
Of course, this can lead to several consequences, especially when it comes to their Oneworld frequent flyers, but a breath of fresh air would still be very nice.
@Duck Ling, QF is getting a vast array of European destinations without even needing to subject its passengers to the chronic mess that's LHR.
You assume Delta hasn't already tried... but failed 😉 It would be rather foolish to assume they haven't tried after losing Virgin to United. You may dislike AA but AA belongs to the largest alliance on the West Coast and AA is the largest domestic airline in the US, Delta is not close.
Delta has a lot of things going for it, but the weakest alliance on the west coast isn't a huge sales point for QF. Nor is being Nouveau riche at LAX with the lowest loyalty penetration of the US3 in the LA area. Being the biggest Delta-only metal at LAX for about two years is pretty meaningless when AA/AS are still bigger easily.
Project Sunrise could make ATL but does QF really want to give up DFW's access for ATL? Perhaps, but I doubt it. DFW does everything ATL does and more without backtrack for Qantas.
AF is not the only European airline code-sharing on a direct service from Europe to Australia. AY and IB codeshare on the BA15/16, direct services from London to Sydney.
While I think it's a positive I would say this seems mostly rule clarification and a slight modification.
Prior, the rules were officially QF lounges are available only when booked on an AFKLM code share. Unofficially, domestic flights in Australia has lounge access and I've even entered the Qantas F lounge in Sydney at a platinum. No one knew what the rules really were. Now it'll probably be clear and spelled out exactly when and when members get access.
I doubt we'll see XP earnings. I don't think AFKL has any incentive too open that can of worms.
QF already has a lot of European destinations available with one stop in Dubai. Codesharing with AFKLM will open up smaller airports, but you could already book those connections by using a competent agent to book your tickets.
While a sound idea I feel this is unlikely what with Virgin Australia’s already current close ties with Skyteam airlines / Virgin Atlantic etc and the ability to earn points through flights on those airlines. I’m actually surprised at this new Qantas arrangement because of that!
Is it just me or do these 'mutual benefits' seem a little one sided in the interested of AF/KL passengers?
As I read it, one enhancement is that AF/KL passengers will be able to book Qantas F (yet not the other way around).
And AF/KL passengers will be able to use the QF First lounge (yet also, not the other way around).
What is in it for Qantas' frequent flyers?
I think the scenario you describe is exactly why airlines like QF (and QR) choose to be part of OneWorld.
OneWorld is known to be the most relaxed when it comes to member airlines forming close ties with airlines outside the alliance unlike Star and ST which are far more strict in terms of relationships outside their group.
AF sells a lot of itineraries connecting between their metal and QF metal somewhere in Asia, so it's not given that the customers will only travel on QF metal all the way from Europe. If that was the case, AF would have no reason to go into this cooperation.
Both @Seat41E and Ben did say 'direct' not non-stop. BA15/16 and QF1/2 are both direct flights with a stopover in Singapore.