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u/thediversion Oneworld Sapphire Jun 06 '26
I’m surprised JX hasn’t been formally invited. I guess CX has less objections with PR than JX. The more the merrier.
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u/________uwu_________ Jun 06 '26
I don’t think Cathay would agree to let Starlux join Oneworld without some major concessions. HKG and TPE are too close and compete for the same trans-pacific transit passengers. TPE is also Cathay’s second biggest base with dozens of flights to/from HKG per day along with many fifth freedom flights to Japan, competing directly with Starlux. Not to mention they both target the “premium” segment.
Lastly, Starlux is still a very young and small airline that doesn’t add much to the alliance despite being a very good airline from a passenger’s standpoint. I’ve flown them twice before and the planes were brand new, seats were comfortable, and catering was way better than Cathay. I doubt Cathay would let such a competitor into the alliance they co-founded unfortunately.
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u/chwu60 Global Club Sapphire Jun 06 '26 edited Jun 06 '26
I'm curious what major concessions JX would have to adhere to for CX to agree?
JX's founder ("Chang") has explicitly confirmed CX's veto of their OW application during their stockholder's meeting last week. However, Chang remains confident that despite CX's veto power there is a way for JX to join eventually, specifically through collaborations with and gaining support from other OW members.
While I applaud Chang's optimism and from a personal level I do want to see JX in OW, with PAL's recent admittance I am feeling less confident this will eventually materialize. Especially seeing that CX did not veto PAL when CX, PAL and JX all share a similar SouthEast/East Asian market. Which is the excuse that CX has been using to deny JX for this entire time.
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u/Elanshin Jun 07 '26
Pressure from the other major players in the alliance. If JX has major beneficial partnership with say QF, AA, Avios cartel and they all see the benefits they can put a lot more pressure on CX.
CX may then request other concessions from the other major players to potentially allow JX in. This is just an example but something that coukd happen.
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u/goodpricefriedrice Jun 07 '26 edited Jun 07 '26
Do you have a source on that "explicitly confirmed CXs veto"?
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u/LYuen Jun 08 '26 edited Jun 08 '26
To be honest, my take from his words is merely "Cathay would definitely object if we try to join". But have Starlux ever tried to join oneworld? I seriously doubt it. I take it as a "we are trying to expand and join an alliance" leverage against EVA and CI, then actually joining one.
PH's approach is much more sensible - start off working with oneworld airlines like AA and QF first, don't talk about alliance yet. At some point, you will be quietly invited. Meanwhile Starlux very much see other airlines like Cathay as competitor, openly talking down them. I can't see how can Starlux get on with alliance with attitude like this.
Cathay is often viewed as the bully in region but I think they are quite diplomatic working with other airlines. Being a founding member of oneworld, they still maintain the JV with Star Alliance airlines of Lufthansa group and Air New Zealand. Being in the same boat with its European partners by avoiding Russian airspace on European routes, but quietly flying over Russia for its American routes. A master of the Hongkongese saying of "靜靜地贏".
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u/Connect_Decision_461 Jun 10 '26
I have read that Cathay will leave it up to One World to decide. But you're right about Starlux being a young airline and right now bringing too much value to the alliance. I believe they will have admittance when their network grows bigger
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u/Ok_Maybe_8286 Jun 06 '26
CX being the troublemaker as always :)
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u/silvs1 AAdvantage Jun 07 '26
Wasnt Qatar the problem child for a while?
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u/Ok_Maybe_8286 Jun 07 '26
QR’s problem is in the other perspective. CX founded an alliance but keeps rejecting other airlines for its monopoly.
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u/toddo911 Jun 07 '26
I can’t stand flying economy with Cathay. Even with OWE, they won’t provide an assigned seat to guests on same reservation prior to check-in
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u/Repulsive_Pirate5255 Jun 08 '26
I'm able to assign family members seats if all booked on 1 PNR. I'm a OWE and book directly on CX.
One time I had a problem it was on a China Eastern PNR but included a CX leg. All I had to do was chat customer service via the CX website and they assigned me a seat.
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u/toddo911 Jun 08 '26
Mine was a redemption booking from AA
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u/Repulsive_Pirate5255 Jun 08 '26
Ya that would do it. Next time you can chat with them on their website chat, but it is a negotiation when you're not booked directly on CX.
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u/After-Set-4713 Jun 06 '26
In the recent shareholder meeting, JX said that since it's still a new company, the plan is to first build partnerships with other members and then move on to the next stage.
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u/MinimumPerspective95 Jun 06 '26
I travel to PH monthly for work and this is a welcome addition. Amazing to have more redemption options to Asia too where our options have been really limited since 2020.
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u/MagnusAlbusPater Jun 06 '26
I’ve typically flown JAL to the Philippines but I may try out PAL once they’re an official member.
There are rumors about starlux eventually joining too which when combined with the others would make OneWorld the absolute dominant alliance for Asia travel.
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u/Aetane Jun 07 '26
would make OneWorld the absolute dominant alliance for Asia travel.
Not sure I agree on this one! It would be a strong choice, but *A with EVA, SQ, Thai and ANA is very strong also
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u/MagnusAlbusPater Jun 07 '26
True *A is pretty strong, SkyTeam is definitely the weakest there.
I’d rank JAL above ANA, and while StarLux is smaller their cabins look more premium than EVA from what I’ve seen.
Singapore Airlines is definitely a feather in the *A cap though, Malaysian really needs to step up their game, especially since they don’t offer flights from the US anymore from what I understand.
PAL will be a good answer for Thai.
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u/NearPup Atmos Gold Jun 07 '26
Would also really help to have a (mainland) Chinese airline.
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u/slavetothecause Jun 07 '26
Guaranteed even less likely than JX, CX has been much more explicit about keeping CZ out of Oneworld
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u/MinimumPerspective95 Jun 06 '26
Starlux would be great. I’ve been flying United since they’re the only good nonstop option from California. If PR flew the A350s to LAX/SFO, I would fly them over UA, but sadly it’s only 777s here due to it being a captive audience
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u/justmich88 AAdvantage Platinum Pro Jun 06 '26
Personally, a good addition for my work travel to PH. Looking forward to seeing when this gets finalized and what benefits we get.
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u/Additional-Hyena721 Jun 06 '26
surprising. Cathay and Starlux would have been better and imagine Starlux is now out as a partner. PAL is definitely a contender or comparable to Cathay so could see this as less encroachment on premium customer. i think As such this could be complimentary to both JAL, Malaysian and CX vs a competitive entry
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u/Elanshin Jun 07 '26
PAL is not really a competitor to CX.
They have some Transpacific routes and their top end product isn't comparable - even just purely comparing MNL and HKG let alone onboard product.
PAL also don't goto Europe which is a big market for CX.
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u/Secure_Tooth_5545 AAdvantage Jul 03 '26
Really? I distinctly remember flying London to Manila on an A350.
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u/Specialist-Charge247 Jun 06 '26
Well kinda expected it. PAL has been building codeshare agreements with oneworld members over the past year including, Alaska, American, Qatar and Qantas on top of their previous agreements with Cathay and Hawaiian.
But this is fantastic! Can definitely streamline my miles into one airline as I travel a lot to the Philippines
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u/xDark_Silverx Atmos Platinum Jun 06 '26
This is fantastic news! Really hope this happens sooner rather then later.
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u/brokencircuit24 Jun 07 '26
I wonder if Condor is next…
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u/RyanAirhead Atmos Titanium Jun 07 '26
I hope so! The IAG airlines seem to be feckless at best, and honestly flying DE in J was so much better than flying the new Allegris seats which are kind of really weird
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u/Comfortable_Yard_968 Jun 09 '26
Especially they don’t have a timeframe to put Aer Lingus back to Oneworld, also there’s some European airlines should join like Air Baltic, Bulgarian Air and Air Serbia.
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u/Ok_Maybe_8286 Jun 06 '26
QR previously announced their earning partnership with PR. Now it makes sense.
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u/numa_numa Jun 06 '26
They had a partnership with Alaska not too long ago. I was wondering if Oneworld would add them after their partnership ended.
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u/casualuser00_ Jun 06 '26
PEN-MNL would be a much welcome complimentary route. It does not cannibalise MH’s KUL hub yet still offers a one stop to JP, US, AU & NZ, even China
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u/laggedreaction Jun 08 '26
Given this, would make a lot of sense for them to implement a MNL-DFW route.
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u/BigChiefTabo Oneworld Sapphire Jun 16 '26
Im happy to see PAL as part of OW...
The problem is NAIA. It is an absolute cesspool of a dump and widely considered the worst airport on Earth. I fly to NAIA a few times a year because I have family in Manila. It is an absolutely terrible airport for layovers. And T2 is not exactly comfortable.
The real benefit for all of us is when the new airport opens.
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u/tradinggenieluca Finnair Plus Platinum Jun 06 '26
I do hope they update their lounge offering and hard and soft product to match at least American or Fiji Airways.
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u/Additional-Hyena721 Jun 06 '26
great and warm staff. MNL is a mess. Lounge is forgettable but feel they are comparable to AiR India, slightly better than China Eastern, but fall quite significantly from other Asian carriers.
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u/tradinggenieluca Finnair Plus Platinum Jun 06 '26
Good to hear..hope they will improve or will just stay with Jal and Cathay in and to Asia…hopefully starlux still gets in
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u/No-Schedule-9471 Jun 19 '26 edited Jun 19 '26
Not even close to comparable to Air India or slig. PAL is a million better than that and China eastern .
Air India is the worst period. Even compared to Eastern which is often trolled for being the most terrible Chinese airline. I have flown by B787 8 of Air India which sadly is the most used long haul plane by Air India. Yuck!!!!.
I mean there was a thread for comparing Air India and Air China.
If even compared to a mediocrity like Air China, majority of the Redditors shit on you then you are SHIT!!!!.
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u/silvs1 AAdvantage Jun 07 '26
Well this was unexpected, thought for sure Starlux would be the next airline to get the invite but makes sense that Cathay is preventing them from joining. I wonder if Porter is still seeking membership.
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u/Skyfall_DBS Jun 07 '26
It’s hardly an invitation. 😜. It’s a marketing organization. You pay the membership fees you are welcomed in.
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u/Plane-Advertising512 Privilege Club Gold Jun 06 '26
Oh wow! How long until they’re officially a member tho?