| Star Alliance | ||
|---|---|---|
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| Official Launch Date | 14 May 1997 | |
| Members | Full | 19 |
| Non-Voting | 3 | |
| Pending | 3 | |
| Destinations | Airports | 897 |
| Countries | 160 | |
| Annual Passengers (M) | 455.47 | |
| Annual RPK (G) | 761 | |
| Fleet Size | 3087 | |
| Management | Jaan Albrecht (CEO) | |
| Website | www.StarAlliance.com | |
Star Alliance is the oldest (launched May 14 1997), largest and most awarded airline alliance in the world, with the following points of cooperation among its partner airlines:
- 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 airport lounges of all members
- 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
Contents |
Customer service
Codeshare flights between theses airlines are, for the most part, seamless. 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[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 over 17,000 daily flights to 897 airports in 160 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, 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 is ejected from the alliance on January 31. Air China and Shanghai Airlines join the alliance on December 12.
- 2008 — Turkish Airlines will join on April 1 and become the 20th Member.
- 2009 — EgyptAir and Air India are expected to join.
Co-location
- As of March 2008, all Star Alliance members will move to Terminal 1 of London Heathrow Airport as part of a re-arrangement program.
- All Star Alliance members will move to the Terminal 3 of Beijing Capital International Airport in order to maintain simple transfers with Air China and other Star Alliance airline members.[4]
- 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.[5]
- International Star Alliance departures and arrivals serving San Francisco International Airport will have already moved to Boarding Area G except for 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 2008 to simplify transfers with future Star Alliance member, Egyptair. [6]
- 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.
Logo on aircraft
The small Star Alliance logo (approx 10cm across) is found on both sides of the entry door on any aircraft of the Star Alliance member airlines. In addition, various Star Alliance members paint their planes with the Star Alliance livery, usually featuring a white fuselage with "STAR ALLIANCE" signature written across and dark-blue tailfin with the Star Alliance logo. Singapore Airlines still maintains its own corporate logo on the tailfin, the only Star Alliance member to do so. 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
Air Canada* [1]
Air China [2]
Air New Zealand [3]
ANA All Nippon Airways [4]
- Air Nippon (excluding Taipei flights)
Asiana Airlines [5]
Austrian Airlines [6]
BMI [7]
LOT Polish Airlines [8]
Lufthansa* [10]
SAS Scandinavian Airlines System* [11]- Shanghai Airlines [12]
Singapore Airlines [13]
South African Airways [14]
Spanair [15]
Swiss International Air Lines [16]
TAP Portugal [17]
Thai Airways International* [18]
United Airlines* [19]- US Airways [20]
* founding member
Regional members
Adria Airways [21] (sponsored by Lufthansa)
Blue1 [22] (sponsored by SAS)
Croatia Airlines [23] (sponsored by Lufthansa)
Future members
Air India was invited to join the alliance on December 13, 2007. [24]
EgyptAir was invited to join the alliance on October 16, 2007. EgyptAir is scheduled to join Star Alliance within the next 18 months.[25]
Turkish Airlines was invited to join the alliance on December 9, 2006. Turkish Airlines is scheduled to join Star Alliance on April 1, 2008.
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. [26]
TAM
TACA
Virgin Blue
Aerolineas Argentinas
Former members
- 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.
News
- 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. [27]
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.
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:
- Air Canada (Aeroplan) - Prestige
- Air China (Air China Companion) - Gold, Silver
- Air New Zealand (Airpoints) - Silver
- ANA (Mileage Club) - Bronze
- Asiana (Asiana Club) - Gold
- Adria/Austrian/Croatia Airlines/LOT/Lufthansa/SWISS (Miles & More) - Frequent Traveler
- BMI (Diamond Club) - Silver
- Blue1/SAS (EuroBonus) - Silver
- Shanghai Airlines (Flying Crane) - Silver
- Singapore Airlines (KrisFlyer) - Silver
- South African Airways (Voyager) - Silver
- Spanair (Spanair Plus) - Silver
- TAP (Victoria) - Silver Winner
- Thai (Royal Orchid Plus) - Silver
- Turkish Airlines (Miles and Smiles) - Elite
- United (Mileage Plus) - Premier, Premier Associate
- US Airways (Dividend Miles) - Silver Preferred
Currently 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 [28] 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 (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)
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
- 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
- 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.
Destinations
See also
References
- ^ http://www.staralliance.com/en/press/facts_figures/index.html
- ^ Current issues arising with airline alliances: panel discussion. EUROPEAN AIR LAW ASSOCIATION. 11th Annual Conference. Recent developments in European air transport law and policy Lisbon, November 5, 1999
- ^ 2007 World Airlines Awards - Best Alliance. Skytrax (2007). Retrieved on 2007-08-27.
- ^ http://atwonline.com/news/story.html?storyID=11113
- ^ http://atwonline.com/news/story.html?storyID=11113
- ^ http://www.egyptair.com.eg/English/AboutEgyptAir/NewsPress/star_alliance.htm
External links
| Aviation Portal |
- Star Alliance - Official site
- Star Alliance Gold status and Silver status benefits - Star Alliance Gold or Silver miles or points earned on Star Alliance member airlines count toward elite status in your selected frequent flyer programme
- Star Alliance Gold and Silver Lounges - Outline of Lounges welcoming Star Alliance Gold and Silver members [including exceptions] on the Star Alliance website
- Star Alliance lobbying Air China and Shanghai Airlines to join the group - aviationweek.com article, April 6, 2006
- Star Alliance Forum on Flyertalk
- Comparison Chart of Star Alliance Gold statuses
- Photos of aircraft in Star Alliance livery
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Air Canada • Air China • Air New Zealand • All Nippon Airways • Asiana Airlines • Austrian Airlines • BMI • EgyptAir • LOT Polish Airlines • Lufthansa • Scandinavian Airlines • Shanghai Airlines • Singapore Airlines • South African Airways • Spanair • Swiss International Air Lines • TAP Portugal • Thai Airways International • United Airlines • US Airways |
