Air Serbia has ruled out its membership in one of the major airline alliances - Star, Oneworld or Skyteam - for the time being, noting it would be disadvantaged as a smaller carrier. “As a small airline, you contribute more to an alliance than you receive in return and your options are limited. At the moment, we can work with whoever we want, wherever we see benefits. For example, we have very close cooperation with Air France [Skyteam] on the one hand, and recently we have been building very close cooperation with Turkish Airlines [Star Alliance] - they are in different alliances. Therefore, we currently have no plans to become a member of any alliance”, the carrier’s CEO, Jiri Marek, told “Aero Telegraph”.
Mr Marek believes that the airline will have more benefits from nurturing its existing codeshare partnerships. ”We believe that our hub in Belgrade and our regional network is a great advantage to offer to codeshare partners”, Mr Marek said. The carrier currently has codeshare agreements with a number of airlines, including Air France, Air China, Aegean Airlines, Aeroflot, Air Europa, airBaltic, Bulgaria Air, Finnair, KLM, Turkish Airlines, TAROM and ITA Airways. The airline is also in the final stages of concluding a codeshare partnership with a carrier from the United States, details of which are expected to be revealed by the end of the year. Air Serbia was previously part of an informal Etihad Partners alliance, which has unravelled over the past few years as most of its members, which were partially owned by Etihad Airways, have gone bankrupt. The Serbian carrier remains Etihad’s only equity partner with the Emirati airline holding an 18% stake in its counterpart, although cooperation between the two has been significantly reduced.
Air Serbia’s CEO believes the airline can remain independent of the major alliances but noted the company could work more closely with some of them. “I firmly believe that in the medium-term we can be profitable independent of any alliance. For long-term sustainability, however, there could be certain advantages in working more closely with one of the larger groups as you can deal better with the volatility of the markets. But that's not something we're considering right now. First, we want to expand our existing partnerships. For example, we are working on a joint venture with Turkish Airlines, which is still at a very early stage”, Mr Marek concluded.
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No Alliance would want them!
ReplyDeleteThat's far from the truth.
DeleteYeah right no one would want them... Thankfully they want Croatia Airlines with its expansive network of 13 destinations.
DeleteOU wasn't in such bad state when it joined Star as a "regional member" (ie regional feeder). They scrapped the concept later. Today's state of OU is a different story.
DeleteIs it partially due to alliance membership?
DeleteJust asking, for friend...
It certainly had an impact on them getting even closer with LH.
DeleteHrvoje Sarinic, with blessing of Franjo Tudjman, with his "french connection", for personal benefits, bought brand new Airbuses 320, which were at that time too big and too expensive for OU, and were not needed, as 737-200A 's were in perfect shape, perfectly maintained, fully owned, and allowed to fly all over EU, which was the case in several companies in Ireland, UK, Germany, Italy, Slovakia... That was the biggest cardinal mistake. The second one was by Matija Katicic, who overnight bought ATR's instead of planned DC-10 aquisition from LH, and opening of North American flights which were already published and announced. For personal benefits, as well. The third one is Ivan Misetic, who bought his position in Star Alliance Board of Directors, by handing over entire market to the Cartel making OU its servant and feeder. Everything else is clearly visible, and that's why I say once again Congratulations to Air Serbia for another brave, clever and brilliant decision.
Delete@09,01
DeleteSkyTeam wanted Jat Airways.
https://www.exyuaviation.com/2009/09/jat-to-join-skyteam.html?m=1
He is not wrong
ReplyDelete"As a small airline, you contribute more to an alliance than you receive in return and your options are limited."
I agree. Very smart thinking. Star Alliance, for example, has proven to be an anchor for many airlines. At least in my view.
DeleteAlliance membership could help them with the US in particular. I mean it could make them more competitive but I agree that in terms of Europe it would turn them into some sort of a feeder as we have seen with OU and previously JP.
ReplyDeleteyes, but as independent airline they can make code-share with any US airline that gives the best offer. in alliance, they're stuck with one airline, no matter how bad the offer is to JU
DeleteIt's unfortunate. I would love to see them in one of the less represented allianced in our region. Particularly Oneworld.
ReplyDeleteTrue oneworld is really missing an airline in East Europe.
Deleteoneworld is the least likely to happen. Finnair is literally falling apart these days and JU-BA relationship is representative of the relationship between Serbia and the UK. There are no foundations upon which to build a good partnership in this alliance.
DeleteAnyway, Air Serbia should rather focus on forming its own loyalty program as well as a competitive and decent corporate program. What they have now is basically a joke.
You can't be a successful and independent carrier if you don't control these programs yourself.
Personally, I am extremely curious to see two things from Air Serbia:
1. their winter timetable
2. how much of it will be actually flown
Hopefully the new CCO has come up with a commercial strategy to improve this winter's performance so that seasonality isn't as extreme as it was in the past.
+1
DeleteHonestly it's better that they keep using Etihad's loyalty program as I doubt they would make any good FF program of their own. At least with your Etihad miles you can use them to spend on hotel stays anywhere and on several other airlines Etihad cooperates with.
DeleteI agree, better something than nothing. Though I find it unfortunate that their IT presence is so bad given the fact they operate in a country like Serbia where the IT sector is absolutely booming.
DeleteAs for hotel deals, that shouldn't be so hard to arrange once they have their own loyalty program. All they need is to include that in their commercial strategy and to start offering it via their own channels. They could start with markets where they have the most flights: MNE, Athens, Istanbul and why not even New York.
I agree with Anon 9:20 - major benefit of "joint" loyalty program is greater opportunity to spend (& earn!) miles on benefits that would be hard to get using "solo" Air Serbia program.
DeleteFor me, that & lounge access on airports other then Belgrade are the top loyalty benefits. Everything else is just cosmetics...
So does that mean that Etihad Guest members in Serbia can earn miles when flying Hainan from BEG to China?
Deletehttps://www.etihadguest.com/en/earn-miles/flying/hainan-airlines.html
@ Nemjee 9.24
DeleteI think you don't "calculate" how heavy is this kind of operation for solo airline - they need to have bunch of people employed to take care of this in various segments, they need to develop everything, from mobile app to negotiate agreements with various subjects for hotels, airlines, gifts, etc.
Let's call that TCO of loyalty program...
@ Anon 9.29
DeleteYou can earn miles with any airline listed as a Etihad Guest partner.
Conditions & number of miles will depend of terms & conditions for every airline. They are visible on the web
It is a pity that it is no possible being Etihad Slver Member to enter the lounge in Belgrade if you fly on Air Serbia flight.
DeleteIt is a big minus for them, but it was not always the case. Before 2017 it was normal that any JU FF can enter lounge and it is actually normal for the most of other companies' FF programs.
It's a massive investment and it's absolutely worth it because of all the benefits it brings.There is a reason why successful airlines put a great emphasis on developing all this.
DeleteAir Serbia doesn't have to start big, let them first fix their app and then take it from there. Look at what Aegean has done with their app and how great it is. They have basically transformed it into their IFE when onboard their neo planes.
All this is SOP for all commercial departments. It's not unheard of nor it's proposing something out of the ordinary. If JU plans on being independent then that includes most if not all services it offers, loyalty program included.
I might be wrong but I think Air Serbia has completely stopped advertising Etihad Guest. It's there, you can read about it but they are not actively working on expanding it.
And btw IT sector will keep on developing in Serbia. These are your potential and high yielding clients. You have to make sure you are competitive when trying to attract their business.
According to the National Bank of Serbia, the country's IT sector is worth €3 billion.
^ It's because Etihad changed the rules for their frequent flyers. Same applies in Abu Dhabi if you are flying Etihad, even though it wasn't the case before.
DeleteNo, it does not apply to EY in AUH. In AUH EY Silver members have access to Lounge
DeleteLounge access within Abu Dhabi International Airport26, 27, 28, 29 -
Self only
Al Dhabi Lounge
https://www.etihadguest.com/en/our-programme/tiers-and-status.html
@ Nemjee 9.38
DeleteFixing the app and adding functionalities are more then welcome but that is really necessarily not related to loyalty program. Same was as Aegean is doing great job and not having their own loyalty program. They can add additional benefits for specifics scenarios (ie. tickets bought on their own flights)
BTW, any idea of great loyalty programs for airline outside major alliances, preferably in Europe?
ps. remark regarding IT sector in Serbia, it is very specific situation, it is becoming huge but at the same time very expensive for employers due to specifics of that sector local landscape.
^^ "really not necessarily related" & "Same as Aegean" - sorry for editing errors :)
DeleteIt's ok, don't worry about typos and errors, you are obviously not illiterate. :)
DeleteI wouldn't be surprised if down the road Aegean went solo and created their own loyalty program, especially if they start becoming a problem for Lufthansa Group. What A3 has done was to slowly, slowly, step by step carve out its own position on the Greek and European market. After all, look at how long it took them to launch AMS flights! They are obviously doing a fine job as they have survived several attacks by LCCs and have even thrived in markets such as Berlin where this winter, after God knows how many years, they will be the only nonstop option to Athens. Both Ryanair and easyJet are suspending flights this winter season. However, Aegean has massively invested in Berlin, just look at this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9KiInbJPds
You have to fight for a market and to develop it. You can't just schedule flights and expect them to work on their own. Aegean was founded in 1999 and in those 20 years they've grown to operate 62 aircraft and carry 15 million passengers (2019 numbers).
Air Serbia needs to slowly reform and transform itself but for that they need vision and to know in which direction they want to go.
As for other airlines, here are some examples.
1. Saga Club by Icelandair
2. airBaltic Club by airBaltic.
3. Fly More by Bulgaria Air
Actually what's cool about Fly More is that they also have a program for youth. If an airline such as Bulgaria Air has its own loyalty program then I don't see why JU can't which is much better run.
Look, I agree that Aegean is great airline, you don't need to convince me :). I just don't think they are even thinking about leaving alliance & making their own loyalty program anytime on short-term or mid-term. What is going to happen in 10 years timeframe nobody knows.
DeleteRegarding examples you wrote - yes, these are solo loyalty programs. But I've checked AirBaltic (was a member :) ) & Air Bulgaria and I don't see anything "great" what makes you think - wow, lets leave current program and make something like this!. I see them lacking some things comparing to "big" loyalty programs and yes, they have some nice bits especially about spending "small" amounts of miles on some "small" benefits.
Some of those things could be easily incorporated in current Air Serbia program, if they want to.
Sorry, I didn't mean that Aegean would leave Star Alliance, Lufthansa would never allow that. Just like they didn't push for TK to be kicked out of the alliance after they terminated their code-share agreement. What I am saying is that if Aegean becomes too much of a problem for certain LH Group airlines, they might change their attitude towards them.
DeleteFor example, I always found it odd that Aegean never became part of Lufthansa Group's corporate program but they opted to have their own. That is why I think Aegean is still building its own parallel structure which, down to the road, might lead them to have their own loyalty program (if there is a need).
I know those three programs don't have any wow factor but I was merely pointing out that there are small,regional airlines out there that have invested in their own loyalty program. That is why I think this should be Air Serbia's top priority in the coming years. They need a program that they can control and adapt to their needs. However, for this they need to have a solid five and ten year plan as this is not a small or insignificant task.
They need to aim high.
I also think Oneworld would be good and the fact that BEG is not close to Oneworld hubs is perfect because it reduces the chances of it becoming a feeder airline. It could continue developing its own network and lean more onto Qatar Airways for transfers from Oceania. QR would probably also get JU to fly to DOH like it has other Oneworld airlines like Malaysia Airlines and American Airlines (where apparently QR covers all the costs).
DeleteAegean has had its own loyalty programme since the start - it is called Miles & Bonus, and it is relatively easy to obtain Silver and Gold tiers which will also give you Star Alliance Silver and Gold Status. The miles can also be used for reward tickets on Star Alliance flights. But it is not integrated with LH Group Mile & More
DeleteInteresting. I was wondering if under this new leadership which is really active they would try to go for an alliance. I guess I go my answer.
ReplyDeleteIs it true that you have to pay a hefty annual fee to be part of an alliance?
ReplyDeleteI'm sure the membership doesn't come for free.
DeleteSmart
ReplyDeleteI'm very interested to see who is going to be their US codeshare partner
ReplyDeleteApparently it's going to be Jet Blue.
DeleteWe will find out soon.
DeleteIt could be American Airlines.
DeleteI think it's AA. they're the only ones with hubs at both ORD and JFK
Delete@09,09
DeleteIt'll be Jetblue.
Don't they have codeshare cooperation with Aeroflot as well?
ReplyDeleteYes
DeleteI was under the impression that they have a codeshare with Luxair don't they?
ReplyDeleteNo they don't. It's an SPA.
Deletehttps://www.exyuaviation.com/2021/07/air-serbia-and-luxair-ink-partnership.html
Ah thanks. Knew they had some sort of cooperation but thought it was a codeshare.
DeleteI'm more surprised that they no longer have any codeshare with EY.
ReplyDeleteSmart CEO. AS does not need to be a part of any alliance
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteI agree but let's wait and see how close he brings JU to profitability. His past experience isn't all that encouraging but I think he should be given a chance.
DeleteHe wasn't a CEO or even a CCO at any other airline so I don't know what you are referring to with past experiences.
DeleteI think he is speaking about Jiri Market working in airlines that were not successful. He worked in Malev, CSA, Alitalia ... he did not work in KLM, Lufthansa and so on. I think that was his point
DeleteHe hardly had an impact on their profitability and eventual demise. Not to mention that all those airlines were in financial hardship when he started working there. I mean Jozsef Varadi worked for Malev.
DeleteJU's strongest values are probably its complex Balkan capitals connections, New York and Heathrow slots. And can compete with TK for transfers to Russian.
ReplyDeleteNoted, I don't really know the business of alliances, but in 90% of my travels, I travel for business, as many in the region, and as far as I know, business travelers are more valuable to carriers than private folks, as we are not price sensitive at all (as our employers pay for the tickets).
ReplyDeleteBusiness travelers prefer alliances as there are many advantages, e.g. collect miles provately and then redeem them for free flights with all carriers in a given alliance.
So, what I am reading here, is that Air Serbia prefers private travellers who would turn every penny twice before booking a flight (totally legit, I would do the same) vs. business travellers where the price is irrelevant and where they would make more money of.
+1
DeleteOur company is part of BlueBiz, AF-KL's corporate program.I was surprised and impressed by how professional they are starting with the fact that they have their offices in Belgrade as part of the Serbian-French chamber of commerce (if I remember correctly).
DeleteWhen we became part of it we got a nice gift from them that was sent to our address and so on. Yesterday they asked me for my birthday so that they can surprise me and so on.
I know these might be silly things to most but I think these little things make a difference in the grand scheme of things.
For corporate travel being professional is a given not an extra value.
DeleteWhere a carrier or a program has an office is totally irrelevant. I would never go to an office and why should I? I need a phone number or an e-mail- where the other person is physically situated, I don't care.
Small things, while nice are also totally irrelevant- the business of corporate travel is very different: I will preferably fly with you (and not others), but only if I get something in return, After a certain number of flights with carriers from a particular alliance you get a free flight, and I prefer this than a happy birthday card I would receive.
Well, all those who deal regularly with corporate programs (like I do) know that at the end of the day they all offer the same basic thing: miles for perks.
DeleteWhat sets them apart are the little things which when put together form a much wider picture which, in reality, sets them apart. That's where bluebiz is better than Partner Plus Benefit for example.
Having an office in Belgrade is important because it enables you to be in direct communication with your clients who are going to pay big money to fly with your airline. It's much more professional and efficient rather than doing everything via emails that are routed via some distant call center.
Taking care of your clients is the best way to build customer satisfaction and loyalty. If companies are happy with a certain product then they will keep on using it even if it is not the cheapest out there.
KLM has had an impressive return to Belgrade and look how quickly they managed to reach double daily flights. Serious airlines that rely on corporate travel know that merely throwing miles at your customers isn't enough because, at the end of the day, every single of your competitors can do the same.
Your comment reminded me of that timeless argument used by some: people don't care about perks as long as they can fly cheaply.
At this point that argument was invalidated by the fact that LCCs have not taken over and airlines are still investing in their onboard experience. Every product has its customer, same applies for corporate loyalty programs.
Glad we are getting clarity on some topics of interest. I think they should continue their current strategy and keep developing codeshares with other airlines.
ReplyDeleteI think airline alliance membership certainly brings with it a lot of benefits, especially for passengers.
ReplyDeleteDo we know what the JV with Turkish Airlines might include?
ReplyDeletehttps://www.exyuaviation.com/2022/06/air-serbia-and-turkish-airlines-eye.html
DeleteGood luck JU
ReplyDeleteI don't think JU would become a feeder by joining an alliance. It already has a well developed network. If anything other airlines could feed its Balkan network.
ReplyDeleteYou would be surprised.
DeleteWould it membership at an airline save them costs in certain areas?
ReplyDelete* wouldn't
DeleteIn future Air Serbia is right airline on right Belgrade's Hub,
ReplyDeleteto join Oneworld Association. London's and Belgrade's hubs
is prime positions for dewelopment Oneworld in Europe.
🇬🇧🛫🇷🇸✈🌐🛫
Visa requirements for Serbian nationals to the UK makes LHR useless to use as a connecting hub. Serbian passport holders also need a visa to transit LHR, unless holding a valid US or Canadian visa.
DeleteThe only other oneworld hub JU serves is MAD at 2 pw, and there they codeshare with UX.
That is just not true and it's repeated constantly here. I personally flew to Vancouver via LHR only with valid Canadian visa! You don't need transit visa for almost entire Commonwelth and US, you just don't, please accept this.
DeleteAs mentioned by both of us, with a valid Canadian visa. A visa was still required to transit the UK.
DeleteAny connection via LHR requires some form of visa. For example, BEG-LHR-KEF. Even though Serbian passport holders do not need a visa for Iceland, a visa would still be needed to transit the UK. Any European connection, you need a visa. JU as well for years has been denied additional slots into LHR, when on the rare occasion they do become available. The daily LHR service isn't optimal for connections via BEG either.
Lets also look at JU's partners. SU (SkyTeam) rather than S7 (oneworld). UX (SkyTeam) rather than IB (oneworld). CA (Star Alliance) rather than CX (oneworld). A3, CA, LO, TK (Star Alliance). RO, AF, AZ, KL (SkyTeam). The only airline JU codeshares with in oneworld is AY. JU discontinued flights to HEL in 2020 and don't intend to return there in the near future.
Middle East and Asia traffic is increasingly going via IST and will grow further when JU and TK announce their JV, making RJ useless as a partner. AA also have their TATL JV's, there is next to no chance JU would be invited to join the JV, just like LO isn't with their Star Alliance partners.
Oneworld do have a gap in this region, however oneworld adds little value to JU. The only active oneworld member in BEG is QR. No other oneworld airline has expressed interest in serving BEG.
Again, you don't need British transit visa (or any British visa) if you are heading to Canada or US. Of course, one must have US or Canadian visa to enter those countries but the same goes for JU nonstop service to JFK or for LOT's super popular WAW transfers to Toronto. You don't have to have any extra document if you are transfering via LHR compared to transfering via AMS or WAW if you are going to US, Canada, Australia. End of this discussion.
DeleteExactly! JATBEGMEL has a narrow focus on regular Serbian citizens only. Those ones are minority on flights to US/Canada. Majority has US/Canada passports, residency documents or visas. JATBEGMEL drop your Belgrade-centric views and start understanding your customers.
Delete@18,53
DeleteMy customers? Your comment makes out that I own the airline.
@16,51
My comment wasn't entirely focused on TATL travel, so lets rephrase the part you ignored.
Is traveling BEG-LHR-OSL for example visa free for Serbian passport holders?
Which alliance do you guys think Air Serbia should join, if it wanted to join one?
ReplyDeleteThe more important question is which alliance would admit JU as a member.
DeleteJat Airways, back in 2009, was set to join SkyTeam.
Deletehttps://www.exyuaviation.com/2009/09/jat-to-join-skyteam.html?m=1
But in the end - if we are mostly identifying not being part of a more elaborate FF program, which for sure is a huge downside of AirSerbia at the moment - isn't it possible to negotiate being part of one of the major FF programs (other than Etihad Guest), short of being part of an alliance - pay for that or give away some concession?
ReplyDeleteI assume Miles&Smiles could be realistic, or even FlyingBlue etc.
Because yes - this is a differentiator for business passengers, the ones that are not that price sensitive, and like to collect miles for themselves to spend personally. :)
One of the shortfalls of an alliance membership is that it impacts on who you can work with. Alliances give you a quota on how many codeshares or closer cooperation you can have with airlines in another alliance.
ReplyDeleteA Fox that had been caught in a trap, succeeded at last, after much painful tugging, in getting away. But he had to leave his beautiful bushy tail behind him.
ReplyDeleteFor a long time he kept away from the other Foxes, for he knew well enough that they would all make fun of him and crack jokes and laugh behind his back. But it was hard for him to live alone, and at last he thought of a plan that would perhaps help him out of his trouble.
He called a meeting of all the Foxes, saying that he had something of great importance to tell the tribe.
When they were all gathered together, the Fox Without a Tail got up and made a long speech about those Foxes who had come to harm because of their tails.
This one had been caught by hounds when his tail had become entangled in the hedge. That one had not been able to run fast enough because of the weight of his brush. Besides, it was well known, he said, that men hunt Foxes simply for their tails, which they cut off as prizes of the hunt. With such proof of the danger and uselessness of having a tail, said Master Fox, he would advise every Fox to cut it off, if he valued life and safety.
When he had finished talking, an old Fox arose, and said, smiling:
"Master Fox, kindly turn around for a moment, and you shall have your answer."
When the poor Fox Without a Tail turned around, there arose such a storm of jeers and hooting, that he saw how useless it was to try any longer to persuade the Foxes to part with their tails.
Huh?
DeleteHe is comparing it with Air Serbia decision not to join any alliance.
DeleteLike they pretend to fool all the people by saying they don't need it.
It's their choice. If they wanted to join one, they could as they more than fulfil all the requirements with strong network and strong partnerships with other airlines. They gave their reason why they don't want to join one and considering the closest neighbouring national airline has become a Lufthansa feeder with 13 international routes, 13 planes and 50 flights per week to Frankfurt while running away from competition, it makes sense.
DeleteI get this, but they have to work more on codeshares. Yes, they have it with Air France but it doesn't cover a lot of AF network. JU doesn't have to fly to Portugal but it can't allow itself that don't have any useful codeshare for No. 1 unserved BEG destination. Similar goes with British destinations, KLM has wide network of those but there's no codeshare, just slim (or fat, in terms of price) and pretty much useless interline.
ReplyDeletePity. They fit perfectly with Oneworld. This area of the world is unserved by that alliance since the demise of Malev. Also it wont require them to leave any of the existing networks or to switch in major multi-airport cities. And start serving Hong Kong, Amman, perhaps even Casablanca.
ReplyDeleteAgree completely. They would be perfect for Oneworld.
DeleteShould AirSERBIA begin service to Miami there should definitely be consideration to partner with AA in the US Market because no other Airline has the service to Mexico/Caribbean and Latin America that is available out of MIA at AA. With AirSerbia serving JFK and ORD, AA is well represented in both markets. Could be a very inclusive Codeshare arrangement and further down the way possible entry into ONEWORLD since the Alliance really is lacking presence in Eastern Europe.
DeleteStrategically for the short and medium term, I think it is the right decision but they should review it in several years.
ReplyDeleteI really don't understand that Air Serbia hasn't yet published any flight starting from April next year and it is only 7 months from now!
ReplyDeleteThey haven't even finalised their winter schedule either.
Deletehahahaha they haven't even loaded their winter timetable and you are dreaming of April 2023! Maybe their CEO is too busy going around media to notice it. I find it unacceptable.
DeleteNot the news I was hoping for. As a very frequent traveller within Europe, I never choose JU except when flying directly to BEG, as I can't leverage any of the frequent flyer benefits that major alliances provide. I understand their reasoning, but I'm sure that they're missing out on a significant high-yield chunk of transfer traffic because of this.
ReplyDeleteJet Blue is a very successful and one of the biggest airlines in the US that is not a member of any alliance. Air Serbia does not need to join any alliances to be successful
DeleteVlad, the problem is with those other airlines, not Air Serbia. Air Serbia does not need to be part of any alliance for other airline's frequent fliers to get free flights on Air Serbia. For example Aeroplan, Air Canada's frequent flier system, allows points redemption for Air Serbia flights. I think for 70k Aeroplan points you can fly business class JFK-BEG on Air Serbia.
DeleteSo call those EU airlines and ask them to allow miles redemption on Air Serbia.
I wasn't referring to mileage redemption, that's one of the lowest-ranked benefits for me, as virtually all frequent flyer programs are rubbish these days when it comes to extracting value from miles/points. I was referring to alliance-wide benefits such as priority check-in, luggage handling, boarding and lounge access. To get these through Etihad Guest you have to do at least 40 segments a year on JU, which would mean giving most of my intra-European business to them, and they don't have the frequencies to match the flexibility I have with Star Alliance, for instance, where I get all of the above benefits.
DeleteSmart. Alliances are useless.
ReplyDeleteIt's better to have your own partners than to be forced to cooperate with only certain ones.
Once you are in an alliance you are not banned from cooperating with those from competing ones. You can do as you wish. Being in an alliance has its benefits because you get access to an interconnected system from which you can profit. At this point I think this is a financial matter for JU as they have their code-shares but don't want to pay for membership fees and so on.
DeleteJAT or Jat Airways had a program i believe where every 10th flight was free, or something like that. Can't remember the details, or to which destinations it applied to, but it was some sort or basic loyalty program.
ReplyDeleteIt was called 'Let vise'. For 10 one way tickets or 5 return, in a 12 month period, you got a free flight in the JU network.
DeleteThanks, now I remember.
DeleteNow I remember, thanks.
DeleteIndeed, they even had an online platform where you could log them in or something like that. I remember it looked horrible from a visual point of view but it was a step in the right direction back then. Unfortunately when EY showed up they were fully integrated into Etihad Guest and that was about it.
DeleteAirSerbia over time with growth would be a very valuable entity for ONEWORLD since they lack a real presence in Eastern Europe and could grow without increased competition. Much will depend on who they select to be their partner in the USA and with the limited network that AIrSerbia will operate, AA is certainly the most beneficial to codeshare with in NYC and ORD.
ReplyDeleteUntil they join an alliance I will not be able to book a combine flight from YYZ to BEG via JFK or any other city they may expand to. Hate being stuck having to fly LOT/Lufthansa/Austrian and connecting through europe.
ReplyDeleteBy doing this kind of thing there is no real value of the memberships on alliances... Me myself as an Platinum Lumo from Finnair I eager this to be one of the shittiest situations now. I would want to have my space and quiet time on the lounges, but this wont happen because no-share thing is going on. well, thank god I only need to do only one visit with air Serbia.
ReplyDelete