Skift Business Traveler: Korean Slowly Backs Away From Skyteam

What to Know Now

A strange alliance formed between Korean Air and American this week that has analysts scratching their heads. Korean and American announced a codeshare flight between Dallas and Seoul, a flight operated by American Airlines. By entering the agreement, Korean will be able to sell seats on the American carrier while members of its loyalty program will be able to accrue miles.

Normally this would be business as usual except that Korean is in the Skyteam alliance while American is in OneWorld. So why would two airlines in competing alliances share? According to the airlines, the pact is “an important milestone in growing our relationships with carriers around the globe to provide customers access to the destinations they value most.” According to Ben Mutzabaugh over at USA Today though, there more be more at play.

In short, there’s a decent chance that Korean is out to find a new alliance to play with. If this new codeshare is any indication, Oneworld may get a new partner in Korea very, very soon.

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Social Quote of the Day

Stay tuned to “As the Turbine Turns”… RT alwaysonthefly: AA, Korean cross alliance lines on ICN-DFW codeshare pact.

@RWMann | Robert W. Mann, Airline Industry Analyst

Airlines

French All Business Class Airline Wants to Add More Planes: LaCompagnie, the French business-class-only airline that began serving New York last July, said it aims to double the fleet to four jetliners by the end of next year. Read more at Skift

Air France-KLM CEO Cites Unprecedented Challenges to Competitiveness: Air France-KLM Group is facing unprecedented challenges and its two carriers must “stay mobilized” to maintain the company’s European leadership, Chief Executive Officer Alexandre de Juniac said. Read more at Skift

Singapore Airlines Debuts New Premium Economy With Social Media Treasure Hunt: Singapore Airlines has revealed its new Premium Economy Class cabins after sending followers on a treasure hunt for clues through its social media channels. Read more at Skift

Airports

Southwest Adds 2 Gates, Nonstop Service at Dallas Love Field: Southwest Airlines Co. has reached a deal with United Airlines to use two more gates at Dallas Love Field and expand nonstop service. Read more at Skift

Innocent frequent flier detained after run-in with TSA: Apparently, working as a supervisor for the Transportation Security Administration at Philadelphia International Airport comes with a perk: You get to throw people in jail for no good reason and still keep your job. Read more at Philly.com

Tech

UN Group Creates Flight Tracking Benchmark, But Needs Industry Adoption: Jetliners flying over oceans or remote regions should report their positions every 15 minutes under a standard backed by the United Nations’ aviation body almost a year after the disappearance of Malaysian Airlines Flight 370. Read more at Skift

Marriott Hands Out GoPro Cameras as Hotels Try to Encourage Social Posts: From SnapChat to music videos, Marriott International is betting on creative content to shift its brand reputation from staid and sophisticated to edgy and engaging. Read more at Skift

Saudia Releases App Giving Its Passengers Free In-Flight Wi-Fi: Saudia has introduced a mobile app which simplifies access to its free in-flight OnAir Wi-Fi connection. Read more at Skift

Google Develops Ride-Sharing App, Setting Up Clash With Uber: Uber faces an ever-growing cast of adversaries that includes dubious regulators, litigious drivers, hostile members of the press, and some well-funded rivals. But the most significant threat to the app-based transportation company may be much closer to home: one of its biggest investors, Google. Read more at Skift

Hotels

Interview: InterContinental Hotels Group CEO on the Importance of Trust: InterContinental Hotels Group is one of the world’s largest hotel chains with more than 697,000 rooms in close to 100 countries. Read more at Skift

How One U.S. Company Expects to Scale the Pop Up Container Hotel: Shawn Bouley, founder of Rollick Hotels, thinks there’s a market for mobile cargo container sleeping rooms placed outside major U.S. events where traditional room inventory is sold out. Read more at Skift

Wyndham Acquires Dolce Hotels for $57 Million, Expanding Meetings Business: Wyndham Hotel Group expanded its groups and meetings business with the acquisition of Dolce Hotels and Resorts for $57 million in cash. Read more at Skift

2015 Trend: Travel Brands Reimagine Themselves as Lifestyle Connoisseurs: The days of travel brands surviving as stark service providers is over. Clean sheets and safe flights are considered standard among customers, especially millennials, who seek deeper connections to brands’ values and the lifestyles that they represent. Read more at Skift

Your Turn

Like feed on the bulkhead, I continue to be boggled by people who go shoeless in airline and hotel lounges. A lively debate on the topic is circulating over on FlyerTalk

Tips and Comments

Can be sent to [email protected] and @grantkmartin. We publish the Business Newsletter twice a week on Tuesday and Thursday, but sometimes on Friday.

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