An interesting read to say the least. A nice quote: " Meanwhile, One world's headquarters will leave Vancouver, B.C., next summer after 10 years and move to 2 Park Ave., also the New York office for One world members including American(AMR_) and British Airways." Does the alliance really have to have a separate office all its own? Why not share the office space with other airlines at one of the airlines headquarters? I know it says that that American and BA are at that site. However, it would seem to be pretty pricey real estate for their said purpose. Trade off every few years. Also, does an alliance like this truly need their very own management team? Would it not be more beneficial to have management personnel as mutual team from the prospective airline. Seems like you coud learn more about each airline in the alliance by using existing personnel.
As far as US Airways is concerned. Don't know if they will join one world or not. Seems they are happy growing their paper airline through the Death Star Alliance. Less flying they have to do themselves internationally. Considering 50 plus percent of the flying domestically is done by other airlines it might not be too far fetched to think the goal is to have an airline in name only.
Supposedly these tie ups generate a lot of revenue for each of the airlines. I would love to see the numbers. I think with a few exceptions that it creates more problems for customers. For instance, besides being star alliance partners United and US share domestic code share. You by a ticket from Denver to say Charlotte. You bought and paid for the ticket on line at US Airways but the flight is actually flown by United. You may have figured it out you may not have. Easy to miss since you have e-ticket. Show up at the airport and go to the US ticket counter. You are told you must check in at United after waiting in line forever due to weather delays. You are an infrequent flyer with bags so you had no clue they want to shove you off on the kiosk at United. It is suppose to be what I believe what US Airways calls "seamless" but I am pretty sure it is far from it for the infrequent flyer. It has not happened to me, but I have been at the podium a time or two when it has to someone else. Some of the explanations get people more confused than help I think.
Anyway, did not a US executive not just say that ALL of their profit was from fees. I guess it does not matter which alliance they are in since the fees are the only profit they are making. Not even flying their own planes and still can't make money. Maybe the fees are too high to be a member of the alliance. Someone has to pay another management team to sit in that Park Avenue office I guess.
