JEM60
Couldn't agree more. Used all of them, BA for me.
Sure - for regular travellers! If folks use long haul once a year or once every three? If they buy a package, are they going to find out in advance who the carrier is and have that as a make/break? I suggest not.
A number of the web sites that collate fares and show you them in price order do not tell you who the carrier is. So, in coach, there may be differences but money will rule for many, many pax.
On the wider front, 'brand loyalty' is something that is not so important to younger generations. Sure, they might have loyalty to 'showy' brands of clothes but to airlines? Nah, it's a badge of pride to pay as little as possible and have horror stories to relate of what you endured.