| Star Alliance |
|
|
| Official Launch Date |
14 May 1997 |
| Members |
Full |
21 |
| Non-Voting |
3 |
| Pending |
2 |
| Destinations |
Airports |
975 |
| Countries |
162 |
| Annual Passengers (M) |
499.96 |
| Annual RPK (G) |
990.24 |
| Fleet Size |
3,359 |
| Management |
Jaan Albrecht (CEO) |
| Website |
www.StarAlliance.com
[1]
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Star Alliance is the world's first and largest airline alliance. Founded in 1997, its name and emblem represent the five founding airlines, Air Canada, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines System, Thai Airways International, and United Airlines. Star Alliance has since grown considerably and now has more than 21 full members with another 2 expected to become full members by 2009.
Customer service
Lufthansa is one of the founding members of Star Alliance
Codeshare flights between these airlines are, for the most part, seamless. This tight cooperation led to suspicions of anti-competitive behavior, and the alliance was investigated by the European Union as a virtual merger of its members. Indeed, some speculated that if government regulations were relaxed, the members would merge into a single corporation[2], although no evidence has yet materialized. Prior to Star Alliance, Northwest Airlines and KLM were operating together as the forerunners of the modern airline alliance system since 1993—although there had been even earlier pairings and groupings of airlines for decades on a less formal level. The creation of Star Alliance was a milestone in airline history due to its size and sparked the formation of rivals, notably SkyTeam and Oneworld.
The alliance developed the "regional" concept in 2004, which helps Star Alliance penetrate individual markets with the regional participation of smaller carriers. Regional Star Alliance members have to be sponsored by an existing full Star Alliance member.
Star Alliance members now fly 18,100 daily flights to 975 airports in 162 countries utilizing a fleet of 3,087 aircraft. Its members carried a total of 405.7 million passengers with a turnover of 95.3 billion US dollars in 2006. The alliance's market share is 28% of the global market based on revenue passenger kilometers. All Star Alliance carriers combined employ over 350,000 pilots, flight attendants, and other staff. Star Alliance was voted best airline alliance in the Skytrax 2007 World Airline Awards.[3]
Membership history
- 1997 — The alliance is founded by Air Canada, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines System, Thai Airways International, and United Airlines. Varig joins the alliance.
- 1999 — Ansett Australia, All Nippon Airways, and Air New Zealand become members.
- 2000 — Singapore Airlines, BMI, Mexicana, and the Austrian Airlines Group join the alliance.
- 2001 — Ansett Australia folds under bankruptcy.
- 2003 — Asiana Airlines, LOT Polish Airlines, and Spanair join.
- 2004 — US Airways joins the alliance. Mexicana's membership ends. Adria Airways, Croatia Airlines, Blue1 inaugurate the alliance's regional network.
- 2005 — TAP Portugal joins the alliance. After merging with US Airways under the US Airways name, America West Airlines joins working through US Airways original membership.
- 2006 — Swiss International Air Lines and South African Airways join the alliance.
- 2007 — Varig is ejected from the alliance on January 31. Air China and Shanghai Airlines join the alliance on December 12.
- 2008 — Turkish Airlines joins on April 1 to become the 20th Member. EgyptAir joins on July 11 as the 21st member.
- 2009 — Air India is expected to join on 1 February 2009. Continental Airlines is awaiting regulatory approval and plans to join by mid 2009.
Co-location
- In March 2008, some Star Alliance members started to move to Terminal 1 of London Heathrow Airport as part of a re-arrangement program. Star Alliance members Air New Zealand and United Airlines moved into Terminal 1 on 10 June 2008. Members Austrian Airlines, Croatia Airlines, Lufthansa, Swiss International Airlines, and TAP Portugal will move to Terminal 1 in late 2008 early 2009. Asiana, BMI, LOT Polish Airlines, South African Airways and US Airways already operate from Terminal 1. All other members will remain at T3 until Heathrow East is completed, where all members will then move.[4]
- On March 26, 2008, all Star Alliance members moved operations to the new Terminal 3 of Beijing Capital International Airport in order to maintain simple transfers with Air China and other Star Alliance airline members.[5]Continental Airlines, which is currently at Terminal 2 of BCIA, will move to Terminal 3 in 2009 once regulatory approval has been granted. It is currently part of Skyteam.
- Since the remodeling of Mexico City International Airport's Terminal 1, all Star Alliance carriers were re-located to the Hall F2 of the terminal's International Building. United, Air Canada, Lufthansa, and US Airways now have their check-in facilities inside a single hall. The gate assignation for Star Alliance member airline varies, although they tend to operate into the 'F' gates. (F20-F28)
- At the same time as the move at Beijing Capital International Airport, all Star Alliance members are also expected to move to the new Terminal 2 at Shanghai Pudong International Airport to maintain simple transfers with Air China, Shanghai Airlines and other Star Alliance airline members.[6]
- International Star Alliance departures and arrivals serving San Francisco International Airport moved to Boarding Area G except for those of Air Canada and Asiana Airlines.
- In June 2006, all Star Alliance member airlines except Air China and Air New Zealand moved to the new South Wing in Terminal 1 of Narita International Airport to simplify transfers with All Nippon Airways.
- Star Alliance members serving Cairo International Airport will also move to the new Terminal 3 once the terminal opens in fall 2008 to simplify transfers with Egyptair. [7]
- All Star Alliance members at Miami International Airport (Air Canada, United, US Airways, Lufthansa and Swiss) relocated to the newly built Concourse J, as part of the airport's "alliance co-location" program; Star Alliance was a major contributor to the new Concourse and overall Terminal construction.
- In June 2008, Star Alliance member airlines were relocated to the west side of Incheon International Airport as part of the airport's renewal program, followed by the opening of the new Concourse A.
- US Airways joined Star Alliance Partners Air Canada, United, Lufthansa, Austrian and LOT Polish in Terminal 1 at Toronto Pearson International Airport in March 2008. They had previously been in Terminal 3.
- Several Star Alliance Members have also shifted operations to Singapore's Changi Airport Terminal 3.
- In March 2008, Star Alliance member airlines were relocated to Terminal 2 at Warsaw's Frederic Chopin Airport.
Logo on aircraft
Some Star Alliance members paint some of their planes with the Star Alliance livery, usually featuring a white fuselage with "Star Alliance" signature written across and a dark-blue tailfin with the Star Alliance logo. Austrian Airline has painted some of their aircraft in a modified Star Alliance livery white a white tail instead of dark-blue. Asiana Airlines was the first Star Alliance member to paint their aircraft in Star Alliance livery.
Member airlines
Starting in 2004, Star Alliance has divided its member airlines into "full members" and "regional members". Before being accepted as a regional member, airline must be sponsored by a full member. Full members may have some affiliate airlines (that either are owned by or are in a contractual relationship with a Star Alliance full member). Affiliate airlines fall under full member umbrella in respect to the Star Alliance rules, policies and benefits. All of the affiliate airlines grant Star Alliance frequent flyer benefits, and usually feature the Star Alliance logo on their aircraft, public relation materials and advertisement. In some cases (such as Air New Zealand link airlines and BMI Regional) the branding of the "parent" full member may be so strong as to mean passengers are unaware of the affiliate's independent existence.
Full members and their affiliates
* founding members
Regional members
Future members
 Air India was invited to join Star Alliance on December 13, 2007, and is scheduled to be a full member by mid 2009. [33]The combined entity has also confirmed that it has gained membership within Star Alliance and will expand its own network to be one of Asia's largest carriers. The formal announcement was made at the annual Star Alliance meeting on 13 December 2007.[8][9] Air India is set to become a full member of Star Alliance by 2009.
-
 Continental Airlines On June 19, 2008 Continental Airlines and United Airlines signed an agreement which will lead to Continental's exit from SkyTeam and entry into Star Alliance as well as, pending government approval, an antitrust immunized alliance between Continental Airlines, United Airlines, Lufthansa, Air Canada and further Star Alliance member airlines [10]
Potential members
 AiRUnion On November 16, 2007 a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Austrian Airlines, Lufthansa and AiRUnion which might lead to AiRUnions entrance into the alliance. Both Austrian Airlines and Lufthansa will support AiRUnion's efforts. [34] Brussels Airlines announced in April 2008 that it is officially in talks with Lufthansa to enter Star Alliancecitation needed TAM Airlines (TAM Linhas Aéreas) – the airline is currently partnered with United Airlines, Lufthansa and TAP Portugal.[11]In addition to these partnerships TAM recently sign MOUs with Air Canada and Swiss International Air Lines in order to implement code share and frequent traveller agreements [12][13]. Talks are on with TAM Brazil to replace Varig and restore Star Alliance to Latin America.[14][15]
Former members
Mexicana aircraft with Star Alliance livery seen in 2003. No longer a member, Mexicana left Star Alliance in 2004.
Premium status
Star Alliance has two premium levels, Silver and Gold, based on a customer's tier status in a member carrier's frequent flyer program. Each of the member and regional airlines recognizes Star Silver/Gold status, with a few exceptions (mainly pertaining to airport lounge access). The statuses have no specific requirements of their own; membership is based solely on the frequent flyer programs of individual member airlines. Many member airlines also have an additional premium status beyond Gold which is not recognised across Star Alliance.
Star Alliance Silver
Star Alliance Silver status is awarded to customers who have reached a premium level of a member carrier's frequent flyer program.
Benefits of Star Alliance Silver membership:
- Priority reservations waitlisting
- Priority airport stand-by
Some airlines also offer the following to Silver members:
- Priority boarding
- Priority airport check-in
- Priority baggage handling
- Preferred seating
- Additional checked luggage allowance
- Airport lounge access
Membership tiers granting Star Alliance Silver:
The lowest qualification criteria for a Star Alliance Silver status is 10,000 status miles earned during one calendar year with Thai's Royal Orchid Plus program [35] awarding a status valid for a full two years.
Star Alliance Gold
Star Alliance Gold status is awarded to customers who have reached a high level of a member airline's frequent flyer program.
Benefits of Star Alliance Gold membership:
- Priority reservations waitlisting
- Priority airport stand-by
- Priority boarding
- Priority airport check-in
- Priority baggage handling
- Additional checked luggage allowance of 20kg (or one extra piece where the piece concept applies)
- Airport lounge access to designated Star Alliance Gold lounges on the day and at the place of departure, on presentation of a valid Star Alliance boarding pass.
Some airlines also offer the following to Gold members:
- Preferred seating (exit seat, or even on a special section on the plane on some carriers, which provides more leg room)
- Guaranteed seating on fully booked flights (subject to the booking class code and notice period)
- Free upgrade (in the form of voucher/certificate or automatic upgrade upon check-in)
Membership tiers granting Star Alliance Gold:
- Air Canada (Aeroplan) – Super Elite, Elite
- Air China (Air China Companion) – Platinum, Gold
- Air New Zealand (Airpoints) – Gold Elite, Gold
- ANA (Mileage Club) – Diamond, Platinum, Super Flyers
- Asiana (Asiana Club) – Platinum, Diamond
- Adria/Austrian/Croatia Airlines/LOT/Lufthansa/SWISS (Miles & More) – HON Circle, Senator
- BMI (Diamond Club) – Gold
- Blue1/SAS (EuroBonus) – Pandion, Gold
- EgyptAir (EgyptAir Plus) – Gold
- Shanghai Airlines (Flying Crane) – Gold
- Singapore Airlines (KrisFlyer) – Solitaire PPS Club, PPS Club, Elite Gold
- South African Airways (Voyager) – Platinum, Gold
- Spanair (Spanair Plus) – Gold
- TAP (Victoria) – Gold Winner
- Thai (Royal Orchid Plus) – Gold
- Turkish Airlines (Miles and Smiles) – Elite Plus, Elite
- United (Mileage Plus) – Global Services, 1K, Premier Executive
- US Airways (Dividend Miles) – Chairman's Preferred, Platinum Preferred, Gold Preferred
The lowest qualification criteria for a Star Alliance Gold status is 35,000 status miles earned during one calendar year with Air Canada's Aeroplan program awarding a status valid for one year from March of the next year.
Alternatively, 50,000 qualification miles during a calendar year in Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus program awards a Gold status with two years validity.
Furthermore, accumulating 100,000 miles over three calendar years in Asiana Airlines Club Programme will gain Gold status, with a renewal requirement of 40,000 miles in three calendar years – the lowest re-qualification criteria for a Star Alliance Gold status.
Photo Gallery
Member Airlines with Star Alliance Livery
References
External links
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