There is an interesting piece on Bloomberg today about Qatar Airways and onewold/Star Alliance. According to the CEO of Qatar Airways, Akbar Al Baker, the airline had been contemplating joining the Star Alliance hadn’t Lufthansa been so hostile towards growing Gulf carriers.
You should read the entire piece. It is very interesting.
Conclusion
Emirates, Etihad and Qatar have all grown very fast in the past decade. Qatar was the first of three joining an alliance and chose oneworld. Emirates has always been against joining an alliance. Etihad has formed close relationship with Air France-KLM.
I think that it would be a loss for Star Alliance if they are not able to lure one of the remaining two to join.