The days of renegade entrepreneurs in airlines industry is over, at least in the Western Hemisphere, and all options have to be on the table, as Virgin Atlantic's moves show.
SkyTeam's turn towards a non-leading player in China signals a shift towards Asian for the alliance and a confirmation that future growth will take place outside of Europe and North America.
IAG is trying to protect its transatlantic interests, especially if someone like Delta comes in with a bid and pries away AA from Oneworld into Skyteam.