QF will not merge with BA. They are a moribund inwardly looking dinosaur that will be lucky to survive unless they undertake a massive restructure and the unions start to work with the company to ensure the survival of the goose that laid the golden egg for them
Qantas is more likely to look towards a carrier like Etihad who will make QF one stop to anywhere in the world and bypass singapore
Its all part of a broader strategy that the recent Etihad codeshare announcements are a precursor to