Reuters is reporting that the CEOs of Etihad and Lufthansa will be holding a joint news conference in Abu Dhabi tomorrow, which follows expanded cooperation between the two airlines, and speculation of a closer partnership on the horizon. The relationship between Etihad and Lufthansa is a new one, and is due to their mutual connection…
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"While I doubt Etihad will join Star Alliance or Lufthansa will join Etihad Airways Partners,..."
Why Not either one?, I'm sure there will be earn and redeem miles on either program if they are partnering
@ Mileage Man -- Well, if Etihad were joining the Star Alliance I suspect it would happen in Frankfurt and be a Star Alliance announcement, rather than an Etihad announcement in Abu Dhabi. Furthrmore, Etihad has been working on building their own alliance for so long. Furthermore, I don't believe Lufthansa can join Etihad's alliance without leaving Star Alliance. Given their joint ventures with United, etc., I don't see that happening.
Yes, but I was think more in terms of a Full Non-Alliance partner for the purpose of earning and redeeming miles like Etihad has with American Airlines currently
I wouldn't completely dismiss the notion of EY in Star just yet. LH, unlike many other carriers, see immense value in the structure of the traditional alliances.
Maybe that was one of the bargaining chips for LH in exchange for the burden of AB. There's the unspoken benefit of weakening Skyteam in the process if LH can persuade EY to drag some of their partners over to Star as well.
EY Partners can potentially bring some really juicy additions for Star (I know some of these might be pie in the sky)
- Alitalia : allowing LH to regain the glory of the failed "LH Italia", as well as a long term solution to Air Dolomiti
- AirBerlin : keeping Ryanair at bay, with side benefit of clearing the air for Austrian too (read : NIKI)
- Jet Airways : a premium alternative to the crapo Air India
- Virgin Australia : this is the true crown jewel to replace the lost membership of Ansett