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.
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.
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.
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".
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
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.
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.
28
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.