MH to join Skyteam

[Johan]

http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story...9&sec=business
http://www.flyertalk.com:80/forum/sh...d.php?t=531842

Does anyone have any info on SkyTeam RTW fares/tickets from Australia?

[tuapekastar]

http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story...9&sec=business
http://www.flyertalk.com:80/forum/sh...d.php?t=531842

Does anyone have any info on SkyTeam RTW fares/tickets from Australia?

These are the latest I could find...these were valid Oct 2004, so not positive they're current, but if not, they're probably pretty close.

29K Miles 34K Miles 39K Miles
First 11,599 12,899 14,499
Business 8,399 9,199 10,599
Exconomy 2,889 3,399 3,999

Not sure if there are 'seasonal' economy fares to be had. And naturally, there are taxes/surcharges to be added.

I got these from a comprehensive spreasdsheet I downloaded, I think, via FT (last month). This s/sheet covers OW, *A and Skyteam, from most countries, and in a number of currencies. When I search out where I got it from I'll post a link. The s/sheet is compiled by WearyBizTrvlr, from a number of sources.

[BlacKnox]

Post subject: MH to join Skyteam

I think MH is considering applying to Skyteam would be more appropriate.

[NM]

MH is one of the few major airlines that remains unaligned with one of the alliances.

[Johan]

*A has got TG and SQ, while OW and ST doesn't have any Southeast Asian airlines. MH is planning to fly to London and only Amsterdam, Paris and Rome, which are the hubs for ST in Europe.

I wish MH would join OW, as it will increase OW's Southeast Asian network significantly. Then, I can consolidate my miles into UA and QF. Now, I have to join NW too.

It seems likely that MH would be able to join ST as ST needs a SOutheast Asian airline, and MH already has reciprocal FF programmes with quite a few of the ST members.

[Damien]

*A has got TG and SQ, while OW and ST doesn't have any Southeast Asian airlines.

I'd be interested to know why you don't class CX as a south-east Asian airline. It certainly covers the geography quite well.

[Johan]

CX's hub is in HK, which is more East Asia.

So, if I wanted to fly around SEA, for example, Bali to Singapore, I would have to fly Bali to HK to SIN, on CX. On TG/SQ/MH, the transit in BKK/SIN/JUL is much more time-efficient... I could spend a day travelling Bali to SIN on CX, or just hald a day on one of hte SEA airlines.

[JohnK]

I'd be interested to know why you don't class CX as a south-east Asian airline. It certainly covers the geography quite well.

As CX is based in Hong Kong it is a North Asian airline. Yes it does cover south-east Asia quite well but I would think that would be because south-east Asia is only a short hop away and the logical place to fly the majority of it's routes.

[NM]

At the moment, with CX being the only Asian OneWorld carrier, getting anywhere means transiting HKG. This is particularly painful for places like KUL, where the options are limited for both OW and *A:

• Use MH direct from Australia to KUL (fastest, no OW or *A rewards)
• Use QF/BA/SQ to SIN and then MH or SQ to KUL (reasonable connections)
• Use CX/QF to HKG and CX back to KUL (longest travel time)

Since KUL is a reasonably regular destination for me, I would prefer to see MH join OW than ST. MH is a good carrier with good service in the typical Asian style.

[Mal]

I wasn't impressed with MH last time I flew them... late & indifferent service onboard.

I tend to trust airlines more when they are in an alliance. Whether that is misguided or not I don't know yet...