Competition in the airline industry is fierce, with carriers vying for passengers on popular international routes. In the case of the Manila to San Francisco direct flight route, the situation is no different. However, one airline, United Airlines (UAL), stands out with a notable advantage due to its membership in the Star Alliance. This alliance gives UAL an edge over Philippine Airlines (PAL), making it difficult for the latter to compete on an equal footing. Let’s explore why United Airlines’ affiliation with the Star Alliance creates an unfair advantage in this particular route.
United Airlines (UAL), as a member of the Star Alliance, has access to an extensive global route network. This interconnected system enables UAL to offer passengers a plethora of connecting flight options, extending their reach beyond San Francisco (SFO). This is especially advantageous for travelers seeking one-stop journeys to various destinations across the United States and beyond.
Philippine Airlines (PAL), on the other hand, does not enjoy such a comprehensive global network. Although it offers several codeshare agreements, it pales in comparison to the extensive connectivity of the Star Alliance, limiting its capacity to attract passengers traveling beyond SFO.
Seamless Interline Connectivity
The membership of UAL in the Star Alliance facilitates seamless interline connectivity, allowing passengers to book multi-segment journeys through a single reservation. This convenience simplifies the travel process for passengers, providing them with a hassle-free experience. They can effortlessly transfer between flights without the need to recheck baggage, obtain additional boarding passes, or go through immigration multiple times.
In contrast, PAL may struggle to offer such interline connectivity to the same extent. Passengers choosing to travel with multiple airlines on their journey may face more complications in the form of separate bookings, increased layover times, and the potential for missed connections.
Mileage Benefits & Loyalty Programs
United Airlines’ participation in the Star Alliance allows its passengers to accrue miles and earn loyalty program benefits on a broader range of airlines. This becomes a significant advantage for frequent travelers. They can accumulate miles and status faster, making UAL a more attractive option for those looking to maximize their loyalty program benefits.
While PAL does have its loyalty program, Mabuhay Miles, it cannot compete with the extensive network of the Star Alliance. Passengers flying with United Airlines can earn miles and enjoy elite status benefits across multiple carriers, providing more incentive to choose UAL over PAL.
United Airlines leverages its membership in the Star Alliance to establish a wide array of code-sharing partnerships with other member airlines. This means that, even if United does not operate a flight on a particular route, it can sell tickets through its partners. This effectively expands the airline’s route network, giving it more flexibility to serve passengers. This is a luxury that Philippine Airlines, not a member of the Star Alliance, lacks.
In the competitive world of international air travel, having an edge is crucial for an airline’s success. United Airlines’ membership in the Star Alliance provides it with a significant and arguably unfair advantage over Philippine Airlines in the Manila to San Francisco direct flight route. The extensive route network, seamless interline connectivity, mileage benefits, and code-sharing partnerships offered by United Airlines through the alliance make it a more attractive choice for passengers. While Philippine Airlines undoubtedly has its strengths, competing with the global reach of United Airlines, thanks to the Star Alliance, is no small challenge.
United’s membership in Star Alliance might be an advantage but how is it unfair? PAL has an advantage of ME being home turf with connectivity to the PAL network. That’s not unfair, that’s just how it is.
It’s competitive advantage, not “unfair advantage”. If UA being in Star Alliance is an “unfair advantage” then all other Oneworld/Star/Skyteam members (Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, Korean Air, etc.) that fly to MNL also have that “unfair advantage”.
It’s not UA’s (or any other alliance member airline) fault that PAL is not good enough to be invited to become a member of an alliance, and that spot has now been taken by our neighbors like SQ, MH, VN, TG and even GA.
As Mel stated above, this is a competitive advantage of United not an unfair advantage.
PAL isn’t restricted from joining any worldwide alliance (Star Alliance, One World. Skyteam etc)
It’s up to PAL to make the extra effort to join these alliances to remain competitive on today’s airline market.
These alliances have been around for a long time… Why hasn’t PAL joined any of them? Is it a case of complacency assuming that they’d have a monopoly of the non-stop North America to Manila route? Or is it because they could care less about their loyal customers to have seamless access to a worldwide network by joining an alliance?