Cathay Pacific Airways says it has no plans to join a new five-carrier alliance that includes United Airlines, in the wake of talks it held with United about a possible tie-up last year.
The powerful newly formed alliance - comprising United, Lufthansa, Air Canada, Thai International and SAS - has left the door open to extending its Asian and international links in the future.
The five-airline tie-up will be one of the most powerful in the world, rivalling the alliance between American Airlines and British Airways.
Cathay held talks with United officials in the territory late last year about a possible alliance.
United was believed to have been interested in access to routes in East Asia through Cathay, while the Hong Kong flag-carrier is thought to be keen to extend its North American route network.
Cathay spokesman Charlie Stewart-Cox yesterday distanced Cathay from the possibility it would join the alliance or any other significant tie-up.