Why Etihad Airways may (or may) not join Star Alliance

“Could Etihad Airways join Star Alliance?” It’s a oft-speculated scenario in which the Gulf carrier, as part of setting a new flight path, could join the world’s largest and mightiest airline alliance.

It would be a major coup for Star Alliance, which lacks any member in the greater and fast-growing Middle East region.

By comparison, Oneworld has Qatar Airways, Royal Jordanian and soon Oman Air on its books, with Saudia and Lebanon’s Middle East Airlines aligned to SkyTeam.

Globe-striding colossus Emirates has steadfastly refused to join an alliance, and arguably has no need of one, while newcomer Riyadh Air could prove to be a wildcard.

So where does Etihad stand in the alliance stakes?

Joining an alliance “may happen, it also may not happen,” ponders Etihad Airways CEO Antonoaldo Neves, speaking with Aerotelegraph.

“It’s not critical for us,” he admits. “It’s not in my top three priorities.”

“My number one priority is safety. My number two priority is making sure that we have the pilots and planes for our network.”

“And my number three priority is making sure that our people are extremely happy so that the customers are happy.”

Etihad already has an extensive network of over 30 partner airlines – including Air Canada, Air New Zealand, ANA, Malaysia Airlines and of course Virgin Australia – and this long-standing preference for bespoke alliances still appeals to Neves.

“Airlines that choose to concentrate their efforts in a selected markets benefit a lot from alliances,” he elaborates.

As previously reported, Neves also hopes to keep Etihad’s A380s flying “until at least 2032” and is considering new first class suites for its next generation of long-range Airbus or Boeing jets.

Up next will be lie-flat business class suites for Etihad’s Airbus A321LR jets, which will spread their wings across Europe from 2025, with larger ‘business plus’ suites crewing the first row.