American Airlines said it is still in talks with Japan Airlines Corp on a deal that would keep JAL in the Oneworld alliance and prevent it from defecting to Delta Air Lines and the rival SkyTeam group.
The Asahi newspaper reported on Friday that JAL was likely to choose Delta as its overseas alliance partner, leaving behind its current partner American Airlines and Oneworld.
"We are still in ongoing discussions with JAL and we continue to maintain that American Airline''s offer is superior to that of any other rival," said Carlo Niederberger, a public relations official representing American Airlines in Japan.