Star Alliance says it won't chase Virgin Australia to join up
By David Flynn, May 18 2017
Star Alliance says it has little interest in signing up Virgin Australia as a member, despite its description of Australia as a "white spot" lacking a domestic Star airline.
Speaking at a Star Alliance press conference in Frankfurt, Germany to mark the group's 20th anniversary, Star Alliance CEO Jeffrey Goh cited Australia as one of several such "white spots" around the world.
"Australia is (domestically) served by Qantas and Virgin Australia, but like many white spots it is also served by many Star Alliance member airlines... we're not going to add members for the sake of adding, (an airline) has to have additional value to the Star Alliance proposition."
"There are not many airlines who are interested in joining Star Alliance who we are interested in having” added Star Alliance chairman Pedro Heilbron.
However, Goh allowed that in some burgeoning markets "we are constantly on the lookout."
"India and Brazil are big and fast growing markets (where) we are constantly assessing to see whether one or two or even a third member will meet our purposes."
David Flynn is visiting Frankfurt as a guest of Star Alliance.
David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
QF
11 Jul 2014
Total posts 298
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
19 Feb 2014
Total posts 451
16 Nov 2011
Total posts 515
24 Aug 2011
Total posts 569
In many respects, alliances are a bit last decade anyway. Many of the things originally promised have never happened (joint FF schemes, joint aircraft orders, consistent hard and soft products.) Even the member airlines devalue the alliance further by offering different status benefits when you fly on different airlines within the same alliance.
Finally, I think VA should stay out of Star because its F/A uniform is too nice. There are some shockers in that photo!!!!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
12 Jun 2011
Total posts 109
If you ever had issues accessing a lounge because until recently, VA Gold and Plat cards didn't actually have Virgin Australia on them, you'd know how much of a difference an Alliance logo would make.
Also from a business point of view, having Star pax (particularly J) would be of a big boost to VA's bottom line
24 Aug 2011
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Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
12 Jun 2011
Total posts 109
They are not the main benefits of alliance status. I am talking about Priority baggage and allowance, priority screening and boarding, lounge access etc.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 Apr 2012
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28 Dec 2016
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Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
28 Jul 2013
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Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
24 Aug 2011
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24 Oct 2010
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She's the one standing just ahead of the engine - she's German SQ ground crew wearing ground crew kit, which partners a batik scarf with a dark blue dress with subtle batik stitching - I had to look twice to find her, and that was in the flesh at the Frankfurt event.
21 Sep 2011
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06 Feb 2014
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Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
26 May 2014
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21 Sep 2011
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Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
25 Sep 2013
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Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
08 Aug 2016
Total posts 59
09 Nov 2011
Total posts 88
Why is there only one male in this photo??? This is rampant sexism! I'm complaining to Gillian Triggs......
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
07 Dec 2014
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Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
30 Jul 2014
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QF
11 Jul 2014
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Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
02 Apr 2017
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04 May 2016
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"There are not many airlines who are interested in joining Star Alliance who we are interested in having”
Since his other words don't actually say Star wouldn't take VA, I'm still left thinking that VA is not that interested and for that I wonder why.
Thai Airways International - Royal Orchid Plus
15 Jan 2013
Total posts 279
Hi Guest, join in the discussion on Star Alliance says it won't chase Virgin Australia to join up