Much smarter move for Qantas to focus on partnerships and code shares rather than starting a new airline. 

Agree with AusFlyer, this is NOT the time for Qantas to be trying to launch a NEW airline even as a joint venture unless it's done very low-cost and even then thereis a lot more risk compared to sticking with what you already have and working that batter, eg alliances.

I'm sure that QF would look at all sorts of fancy ways to make this work for the bean-counters like having a JV buy the planes and then leasing them back to Qantas or some such, but the bottom line is that right now they need to stick to their knitting!

I wonder what they'll do with the order for all those A320's. Keep the order or cancel it?

Watch for them to appear on the Qantas Frequent Flyer store. "Own your own private jet! Brand new Airbus A320, only 100 million points! (Delivery and handling fee applies)"

FIS.

As a business man it never felt right getting in bed with a competitor code share or alliance especial if they still flew in direct competition with you i.e. Kangaroo route. We have cut back on QANTAS over the years as the reduced their lights to Rome,PAris etc. Changing planes is one thing but changeing airlines that's something else. It's like their tie up with Airfrance you get status to Singapore and that's it let alone how crapy Air France is unless you are in first and then their are better. When the 787 was announced I thought they use the truck (A380) to say Singapore then use smaller planes (787) to go onward but to two different destinations say Singapore , Rome Paris. HK then Bejing, Seoul. Using LHR as their European hub is useless then fly back to Spain, Italy, Austria, Czech forget it this is where the middle eastern carriers win for me and a lot of business people I know. The factories of europe are in the east, Turkey, Hungry even Egypt etc.. Looks like he gaves us Jetcrap now we are going to get Qantrap