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14 May 1997
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Jaan Albrecht ( CEO )
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http://wwwstaralliancecom
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The , launched on May 14 1997 , is the oldest, largest and most awarded 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 (with the exception of certain deeply discounted classes) and lounge access by Gold card holders when flying in economy class
- 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 behaviour, 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. Previous 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 the Star Alliance was a milestone in airline history due to its size and sparked the formation of rivals, notably SkyTeam and Oneworld .
Star Alliance members now fly over 16 000 daily flights to 855 airports in 155 countries utilizing a fleet of 2 778 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 RPK or Revenue Passenger Kilometers ). All Star Alliance carriers combined employ over 350 000 pilots, flight attendants, and other staff.
The alliance developed the "regional" concept in 2004, which helps the 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 was voted best airline alliance in the Skytrax 2007 World Airline Awards.1
- 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 (British Midland) , Mexicana , and the Austrian Airlines group, comprising Austrian Airlines, Tyrolean Airways , and Lauda Air 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 involuntarily ejected from the alliance on January 31. Air China and Shanghai Airlines to join alliance in December
- 2008 — All Star Alliance Carriers will move to Terminal 1 of London Heathrow Airport . Turkish Airlines is to join the alliance in 2008.
Starting in 2004, Star Alliance has divided its member airlines into full members and regional members, who must be sponsored by a full member.
The following airlines are either owned by or in a contractual relationship with a Star Alliance full member. All of them grant Star Alliance frequent flyer benefits and usually feature the Star Alliance logo on their aircraft and in publicity material. 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., Shanghai Airlines and Turkish Airlines ]]
- Ansett Australia — collapsed in 2001
- Mexicana — left the alliance in 2004 after deciding not to renew a codeshare alliance with United Airlines and opted to codeshare with American Airlines ( Oneworld member).
- Varig — left the alliance on January 31, 2007 due to major restructuring. However, Varig has the option to rejoin the alliance within 18 months after leaving Star Alliance following certain audits and the reintroduction of standards required for being a member.
- Jet Airways while Star Alliance is in talks with Air India, they have been closely watching Jet Airways as well. Star Alliance is planning on commencing negotiations with Jet Airways very soon; probably simultaneously with Air India's. If Jet airways joins Star Alliance, Star Alliance will serve the most Indian destinations out of any airline alliance. Jet Airways already has codeshare agreements with Star Alliance members. The Economic Times - Air India, Jet Airways may join Star Alliance
Lufthansa press release -->
- Aegean Airlines , partner of Lufthansa and a potential candidate for a Regional Star Alliance membership. Mentioned by Aero International Magazine in 2006.
- Grupo TACA , a marketing partner and codeshare partner of United Airlines will reevaluate joining the alliance if the codeshare and marketting arrangments with United go well.
- Portugália - On November 6 , 2006 , TAP Portugal , a member of Star Alliance, signed a contract with Espírito Santo International for the acquisition of 99.81 percent of the regional airline Portugália . Whether Portugália will join Star Alliance as a regional member or merge its operations with TAP is still unclear. {Link without Title}
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 a premium level of a member carrier's frequent flyer program.
- Priority Reservations Wait Listing
- Priority Airport Stand-by
Some carriers 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
Star Alliance Gold status is awarded to customers who have reached a high level of a member airline's frequent flyer program.
- 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 (Gold members of United States airlines only receive lounge access to U.S. located lounges when traveling internationally)
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)
- Complimentary Upgrade (In the form of voucher/certificate or automatic upgrade upon check-in)
- Air Canada (Aeroplan) - Super Elite, Elite
- Air China ( Air China Companion ) - Platinum
- 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
- Shanghai Airlines (Crane Club) - TBD
- 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, Global Services
- US Airways ( Dividend Miles ) - Chairman's Preferred, Platinum Preferred, Gold Preferred
Currently 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.
See Also: Star Alliance destinations
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