You will earn double miles because the entire journey is with Star Alliance partners, and diamond membership of the Star Alliance frequent-flier program will give you the run of VIP lounges along the way. But don't expect any price breaks because there is no competition on the route you are traveling. Some insiders predict that, in 5 to 10 years time, we may end up with half a dozen global airlines, formed from current alliances. In addition, there may be around 400 satellite or regional carriers, along with independent niche players offering competition on certain regional and international routes. Global airline cooperation typically involves ''code-sharing,'' a system whereby airlines agree to use the same ''designator code,'' or flight number, for a flight or series of connecting flights in order to attract more business by extending their networks through partner carriers.
Airlines sometimes sell blocks of seats under their own code in another airline's cabin.
Such is the case with Continental Airlines which sells its own tickets on Virgin Atlantic flights from Heathrow to Miami, and with Sabena which sells seats on Virgin Express flights between Brussels and Heathrow. You never know whether the airline you booked on is the one you will actually fly. It consists of Air Canada, Lufthansa, SAS, Thai Airlines, United Airlines, Varig, Air New Zealand and Ansett. All Nippon Airlines is due to join in October. It claims to serve about 800 destinations around the world.