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May 14, 1997
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Jaan Albrecht ( CEO )
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http://wwwstaralliancecom
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staralliancecom
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Launched on May 14 , 1997 , the was the first, and remains the largest Airline Alliance in the world, with the following points of cooperation among its partner Airline s:
- Frequent Flyer Program integration allows airline miles to be earned and redeemed on all members of the Alliance at the same level
- Premium customers of the alliance have access to all members' airport lounges.
- Flight schedules are coordinated to permit almost seamless travel which may include several different carriers within the alliance, on a single ticket
- Special fares for round-the-world and similar travel on alliance members offer discounts over booking individual itineraries
- Customer service processes are harmonized in an effort to promote a consistent experience
- Cooperation in development of a common information technology platform
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, although no evidence has yet materialized. The creation of the Star Alliance sparked the formation of rivals, notably Oneworld and SkyTeam .
Star Alliance now runs 16930 daily flights to 842 airports in 152 countries with South African Airways and Swiss International Air Lines having joined at the beginning of April 2006. The figure also includes the new US Airways , which reached a merger deal with America West in May 2005. Its market share is 28%, including US Airways - America West Airlines , based on the RPK.
The alliance developed the "regional" concept in 2004, which helps the alliance to penetrate individual markets through regional carriers, which requires sponsorship from existing members.
Star Alliance was voted best airline alliance in the 2005 World Airline Awards for the second time in three years.
- 1997 - Founded by Air Canada , United Airlines , Lufthansa , Scandinavian Airlines System and Thai Airways . Varig joins the alliance.
- 1999 - Ansett Australia , All Nippon Airways , and Air New Zealand become members.
- 2000 - Singapore Airlines , Bmi (British Midland) , Mexicana , and the Austrian Airlines group, comprising Austrian Airlines, Tyrolean , and Lauda Air join the alliance.
- 2001 - Ansett Australia closed due to bankruptcy after a failed acquisition strategy by Air New Zealand from former joint owner News Corporation .
- 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. America West Airlines acquired by US Airways will merge into the larger carrier, which will remain a Star Alliance member.
- 2006 - Swiss International Air Lines and South African Airways join the alliance.
Starting in 2004, Star Alliance has divided its member airlines into full members and regional members, who must be sponsored by a full member.
Note+: Indicates founding members of the Star Alliance.
- in the next three years, with network integration starting 2nd-Half of 2005. The merged carrier will operate under the US Airways title.
- Air China , currently partnered with ANA , Asiana Airlines , Austrian Airlines , Lufthansa , SAS , and United Airlines ; the airline's chairman attended the alliance's meeting in Nagoya on June 2, 2005. However, Oneworld 's Cathay Pacific is its shareholder, and they are currently strengthening their relationships. Therefore, it is unclear which alliance Air China will join.
- Air India , already partnered with Asiana Airlines , Austrian Airlines , Lufthansa , Singapore Airlines , Swiss International Air Lines and Thai Airways International .
- Egypt Air , according to the homepage of the Arab Air Carriers Organization AACO the airline is in early talks with Lufthansa in order to promote their application. Egypt Air aimes to become official member within the next 24 months.
- Indian will merge with Air India in 2006
- Qatar Airways , cooperates with ANA , Bmi , Lufthansa , Thai Airways International and United Airlines
Star Alliance is exploring more opportunities to recruit "regional" members:
- Aegean Airlines (regional), to be sponsored by Lufthansa
- AirBaltic (regional), to be sponsored by SAS
- Air One (regional), to be sponsored by Lufthansa
- Estonian Air (regional), to be sponsored by SAS
- Luxair (regional), to be sponsored by Lufthansa. Flights on which Luxair codeshares with Lufthansa can currently be flown on a Star Alliance round-the-world ticket or European Airpass.
- Shanghai Airlines (regional), to be sponsored by Lufthansa or ANA - according to ShanghaiDaily.com the airline is in talks with Star Alliance about becoming an official member in the near future. Also recently signed codeshare agreement with United Airlines.
- Silk Air (regional), to be sponsored by Singapore Airlines
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.
Star Alliance Silver status is awarded to customers who have reached the premium level of a member carrier's frequent flyer program.
Benefits of Star Alliance Silver membership:
- Priority Reservations Waitlisting
- Priority Airport Standby
Some carriers also offer the following to Silver members:
- Priority Boarding
- Priority Airport Check In
- Preferred Seating
- Additional Checked Luggage Allowance
- Airport Lounge Access
Membership tiers granting Star Alliance Silver:
Star Alliance Gold status is awarded to customers who have reached the higher premium level of a member airline's frequent flyer program.
Benefits of Star Alliance Gold membership:
- Priority Reservations Waitlisting
- Priority Airport Standby
- Priority Boarding
- Priority Airport Check In
- Priority Baggage Handling
- Additional Checked Luggage Allowance
- Airport Lounge Access
Some airlines also offer the following to Gold members:
Membership tiers granting Star Alliance Gold:
- Air Canada (Aeroplan) - Super Elite, Elite
- 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
- 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
- United (Mileage Plus) - Premier Executive 1K, Premier Executive
- US Airways (Dividend Miles) - Chairman's Preferred, Platinum Preferred, Gold Preferred
- Varig (Smiles) - Diamond, Gold
Currently the lowest qualification criteria for a Star Alliance Gold status is 35,000 status miles earned during 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 Orchard Plus program awards a status with two years of validity.
See Star Alliance Destinations
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