Star Alliance

Launched on May 14, 1997, the Star Alliance was the first, and remains the largest airline alliance in the world. While code sharing was already widespread, Star represented an unprecedented level 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
• 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 the Oneworld and Skyteam Alliance.

Star Alliance now serves over 790 airports in 139 countries. This will be expanded 16930 daily flights to 846 destinations in 151 countries as South African Airways and Swiss joining in the next 12 months. 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.

Contents

1 Members 1.1 Full members 1.2 Regional members 1.3 Former members 1.4 Future members 1.5 Possible Future Members 2 Membership History 3 External link

Members

Starting in 2004, Star Alliance has divided its member airlines into full members and regional members, who must be sponsored by a full member.

Full members

• Air Canada
• Air New Zealand
• All Nippon Airways (also known by the abbreviation ANA)
• Asiana Airlines
• Austrian Airlines
• bmi (British Midland)
• LOT Polish Airlines
• Lufthansa
• Scandinavian Airlines System
• Singapore Airlines
• Spanair
• TAP Portugal
• Thai Airways International
• United Airlines
• US Airways
• Varig

Regional members

• Adria Airways — sponsored by Lufthansa
• Blue1 — sponsored by SAS
• Croatia Airlines — sponsored by Lufthansa

Former members

• Ansett Australia — liquidated in 2001
• Mexicana — left alliance in 2004 after deciding not to renew a codeshare alliance with United Airlines and opted to codeshare with American Airlines.

Future members

• America West Airlines will merge with US Airways in the next three years, with network integration starting 2nd-Half of 2005. The merged carrier will still operate under the US Airways title.
• South African Airways — approved on June 5, 2004. Latest entry date is set for March 2006.
• Swiss has been approved to become a full member carrier as early as next year.

Possible Future Members

• airBaltic, to be sponsored by SAS
• Air China, published reports as of December 2004, say they are negotiating membership[1] (http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2004-12/21/content_401958.htm)
• Estonian Air, to be sponsored by SAS
• Silk Air, to be sponsored by Singapore Airlines
• Shanghai Airlines, the Shanghai-based carrier expressed its interest to join

Star Alliance is exploring more opportunities to recruit "Regional" members.

Membership History

• 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 join the alliance's regional network.
• March 14, 2005 - TAP Air Portugal joins the alliance.
• In 2006, South African Airways and Swiss will join the Star Alliance.

External link

• Star Alliance (http://www.staralliance.com/) - Official site
• Star Alliance Japan (http://www.staralliance.jp/) - Japanese Website

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