Jump to content

Star Alliance

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Ptahcha (talk | contribs) at 22:19, 12 January 2010 (→‎Co-location (move under one roof): Added ref for Narita). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Star Alliance
File:SA logo.png
Launch date14 May 1997
Full members26
Pending members3
Destination airports1,077
Destination countries175
Annual passengers (M)603.50
Annual RPK (G)990.24
Fleet size3,993
HeadquartersFrankfurt, Germany
ManagementJaan Albrecht (CEO)
Alliance sloganThe Way The Earth Connects
Websitewww.staralliance.com


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 26 member airlines. Three more airlines are expected to become members in 2010. Star Alliance is headquartered in Frankfurt am Main, Germany.[1]

Customer service

Codeshare flights between these 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 because of its size. It sparked the formation of rivals, notably SkyTeam and Oneworld. The alliance developed the "Regional" concept in 2004, which helped Star Alliance penetrate individual markets with the regional participation of smaller carriers. Regional Star Alliance members had to be sponsored by an existing full Star Alliance member. However, Star Alliance has stopped designating airlines as "Regional" members and now refers all the 26 airlines as just "members".[3]

Star Alliance members now fly 19,700 daily flights to 1,077 airports in 175 countries with a fleet of 3,993 aircraft. Its members carried a total of 603.5 million passengers with a turnover of US$171.2 billion. The alliance's market share is 28% of the global market based on revenue passenger kilometers (RPK), which is greater than the combined market share of all airlines that are not in any of the three major alliances. All Star Alliance carriers combined employ over 458,817 pilots, flight attendants, and other staff. Star Alliance was voted best airline alliance in the Skytrax 2007 World Airline Awards.[4]

Membership history

Star Alliance member hubs and co-location

Star Alliance member hubs

Co-location (move under one roof)

Star Alliance members SAS, Lufthansa, Austrian (with Star Alliance livery), and Air China (in the field) using Terminal 3-E of Beijing Capital International Airport as part of the Move Under One Roof program to co-locate alliance members.

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 black tailfin with the Star Alliance logo. Some member airlines including Air New Zealand, Lufthansa and Singapore Airlines have opted to paint the tails of their aircraft with their airline logo. Asiana Airlines was the first Star Alliance member to paint their aircraft in the current Star Alliance livery.[13] Aircraft painted in the airlines' own livery have the Star Alliance logo painted behind the cockpit. The Star Alliance logo has a diameter of approximately 70 cm.

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, Swiss European Air Lines, and BMI Regional) the branding of the "parent" full member may be so strong that passengers are unaware of the affiliate's independent existence.

Full members and their member & non-member affiliates

Member Airline Country Joined Affiliates Non-member Affiliates
Air Canada1  Canada
1997
Canada Air Canada Jazz
Canada Air Canada Jetz
-
Lufthansa1  Germany
1997
Italy Lufthansa Italia
Germany Lufthansa Regional2 operated by:
Italy Air Dolomiti3
Germany Augsburg Airways
Germany Contact Air
Germany Eurowings3
Germany Lufthansa CityLine3
Germany Germanwings
Turkey SunExpress4
SAS Scandinavian Airlines1  Denmark
 Norway
 Sweden
1997
- Norway Wideroe
Thai Airways International1  Thailand
1997
-
United Airlines1  United States
1997
United States United Express2 operated by:
United States Chautauqua Airlines
United States Colgan Air
United States GoJet Airlines
United States Mesa Airlines
United States Shuttle America
United States SkyWest Airlines
United States Trans States Airlines
-
Air New Zealand  New Zealand
1999
New Zealand Air New Zealand Link operated by:
New Zealand Air Nelson
New Zealand Eagle Airways
New Zealand Mount Cook Airline
-
All Nippon Airways  Japan
1999
Japan Air Central
Japan Air Japan
Japan Air Next
Japan Air Nippon
-
BMI  United Kingdom
2000
United Kingdom BMI Regional United Kingdom BMIbaby
Austrian Airlines  Austria
2000
Austria Austrian Arrows (Tyrolean Airways)
Austria Lauda Air
Singapore Airlines  Singapore
2000
- Singapore SilkAir
LOT  Poland
2003
Poland EuroLOT Poland LOT Charters
Asiana Airlines  South Korea
2003
- South Korea Air Busan
Spanair  Spain
2003
-
Adria Airways  Slovenia
2004
-
Blue1  Finland
2004
-
Croatia Airlines  Croatia
2004
-
US Airways  United States
2004
United States US Airways Express2 operated by:
United States Air Wisconsin
United States Chautauqua Airlines
United States Colgan Air
United States Mesa Airlines
United States Piedmont Airlines5
United States PSA Airlines5
United States Republic Airlines
United States Trans States Airlines
United States US Airways Shuttle
-
TAP Portugal  Portugal
2005
Portugal Portugalia
Portugal PGA Express
-
South African Airways  South Africa
2006
South Africa Airlink
South Africa South African Express
South Africa Mango
Swiss International Air Lines   Switzerland
2006
Switzerland Swiss European Air Lines Switzerland Edelweiss Air
Switzerland Swiss Private Aviation
Shanghai Airlines6  China
2007
- China China United Airlines
Air China  China
2007
- China Shandong Airlines
Turkish Airlines  Turkey
2008
- Turkey Anadolu Jet
Turkey SunExpress4
Bosnia and Herzegovina B&H Airlines
EgyptAir  Egypt
2008
Egypt EgyptAir Express Egypt Air Cairo
Egypt Air Sinai
Continental Airlines  United States
2009
United States Continental Connection2 operated by:
United States Cape Air
United States Colgan Air
United States CommutAir
United States Gulfstream International Airlines
United States Continental Express2 operated by:
United States Chautauqua Airlines
United States ExpressJet Airlines
Guam Continental Micronesia
-
Brussels Airlines  Belgium
2009
- Democratic Republic of the Congo Korongo

1 Founding member
2 Airlines operating under the Continental Connection, Continental Express, Lufthansa Regional, United Express and US Airways Express brands are not necessarily members of Star Alliance. However flights are operated on behalf of the respective member airlines, carry their designator code and are Star Alliance flights.
3 Members of Lufthansa Regional that are fully owned by Deutsche Lufthansa AG
4 Jointly owned by Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines
5 Wholly Owned By US Airways Group
6 Shanghai Airlines may leave the alliance after a merger with China Eastern Airlines

Former member airlines and their member affiliate

Former Member Airline Country Joined Exited Affiliates
Ansett Australia1  Australia
1999
2001
Australia Aeropelican Air Services
New Zealand Ansett New Zealand
Australia Hazelton Airlines
Australia Kendell Airlines
Australia Skywest Airlines
Mexicana2  Mexico
2000
2004
Mexico Aerocaribe
Varig3  Brazil
1997
2007
Brazil Nordeste
Brazil Rio Sul

1 Collapsed in 2001
2 Left the alliance in 2004 after deciding not to renew a codeshare alliance with United Airlines, opting instead to codeshare with American Airlines, and joined the Oneworld alliance on November 10, 2009
3 Suspended its membership alliance on 31 January 2007 due to major restructuring, being involuntarily ejected, and failing to meet minimum qualifications

Former member affiliate Country Joined Exited Member affiliate of
AeBal (operating as Spanair Link)  Spain
2003
2008
Spain Spanair
Ted Airlines  United States
2004
2009
United States United Airlines
United Shuttle  United States
1997
2001
United States United Airlines

Future member airlines

Air India will become a full member of Star Alliance in October 2010.
TAM Airlines will become a full member in of Star Alliance in April 2010
Aegean Airlines will become a full member of Star Alliance in May 2010
Future Member Airline Country Joining Affiliates Non-Future Member Affiliates
TAM Airlines1  Brazil
April 2010
Brazil Pantanal Linhas Aereas
Paraguay TAM Mercosur
-
Aegean Airlines2  Greece
May 2010[14]
- -
Air India3  India
October 2010 [15][16]
India Air India Express
India Air India Regional
India Indian Airlines
-


1 TAM Airlines announced on 7 October 2008 that it is the next airline in line to join Star Alliance. The mentoring airline for this admission is United Airlines and the airline is expected to join the alliance in the first quarter of 2010 [17], after completing the integration process. With this addition, South America will be once again widely covered by the Star Alliance network after previous member Varig was evicted in 2006.[18]
2On 26 May 2009 Aegean Airlines' membership application was approved by the Chief Executive Board of Star Alliance. Aegean is expected to join the alliance within 12 months.[19]
3 Air India was invited to join Star Alliance on 13 December 2007. It was originally scheduled to become a member on March 29, 2009. Its entry has now been delayed by one year and is now tentatively expected to become a member in October 2010.

Possible future members

At the annual board meeting on 11 December 2008 in Chicago Star Alliance CEO Jaan Albrecht revealed that the alliance is targeting up to 50 members. New management strategies, such as regional and global leaderships are being examined in order to handle a significantly larger alliance.[20]

Airlines having applied/been invited for membership

The following airlines have reportedly been invited to join the alliance or have applied for membership. As the invitation or application still needs to be approved these airlines cannot yet be considered as future members.

Possible Future Member Airline Affiliates Star Alliance
Code Share Partners
Star Alliance
Frequent Flyer Programme Partners
Notes
El Salvador Grupo Taca Panama Aeroperlas
Guatemala Aviateca
Honduras Isleña Airlines
Nicaragua La Costeña
Costa Rica Lacsa
Nicaragua Nica
Costa Rica SANSA
El Salvador Taca International
Peru TACA Perú
Lufthansa1
United Airlines
US Airways2
Lufthansa1
United Airlines
On 21 November 2008, Grupo Taca chief executive Robert Kriete on the ALTA airline leaders forum in Cancun informed that the airline has submitted an application to join Star Alliance. It was expected that the decision by Star should be at latest at the beginning of 2009.[21]

1 On 1 April 2009 Lufthansa and Taca will start code sharing on flights linking Miami with San Salvador and Caracas with Lima operated by Taca as well as Lufthansa flights from Miami and Caracas to Frankfurt. In addition to that the two airlines agreed to combine their frequent flyer programmes, enabling members to earn and redeem miles on both airlines' entire networks [22]. This comes after Lufthansa and Taca signed a memorandum of understanding on 23 May 2007, intending to cooperate closely [23].
2 Starting 12 January 2010[24].

Airlines in membership negotiations

The following airlines are reportedly in negotiations with Star Alliance. These negotiations will not necessarily lead to an invition or application to join the alliance.

Possible Future Member Airline Affiliates Star Alliance
Code Share Partners
Star Alliance
Frequent Flyer Programme Partners
Notes
Panama Copa Airlines Colombia AeroRepública Continental Airlines Continental Airlines On 21 November 2008, Copa chief executive Pedro Heilbron on the ALTA airline leaders forum in Cancun, expressed that Copa Airlines has decided to leave Skyteam and is in exclusive talks with Star Alliance. According to Mr. Heilbron, Copa Airlines has not much choice since Continental Airlines left Skyteam for Star Alliance.[21]. In May 2009 Copa Airlines confirmed exiting SkyTeam on 24 October 2009[25]
Russia Rossiya - Austrian Airlines[26]
Brussels Airlines [27]
LOT Polish Airlines
Scandinavian Airlines
Swiss International Air Lines
- On 7 October 2008 Jaan Albrecht (Star Alliance CEO) revealed that Star Alliance was negotiating with Rossiya.[28]
Malta Air Malta - BMI[29]
Brussels Airlines
Lufthansa
Swiss International Air Lines
Turkish Airlines
Lufthansa[30]
Swiss International Air Lines
In an interview published on 1 June 2009 Star Alliance CEO Jaan Albrecht confirmed membership talks between the alliance and Air Malta[31].

Airlines being courted/considering membership

The following airlines are reportedly interested in joining the alliance or being courted by Star Alliance. These airlines may or may not decide to become a member.

Possible Future Member Airline Affiliates Star Alliance
Code Share Partners
Star Alliance
Frequent Flyer Programme Partners
Notes
Argentina Aerolineas Argentinas Argentina Austral Líneas Aéreas - - In 2007 Jaan Albrecht stated that Star Alliances was "exploring various options to secure a wider presence in the region" (South America) and attention was focused on Aerolineas Argentinas and Avianca. He said it was premature to speak of negotiations but Star Alliance would watch Aerolineas Argentinas closely.[32][33]
Colombia Avianca Nigeria Capital Airlines
Brazil OceanAir
Colombia SAM Colombia
Ecuador VIP Ecuador
Mexico Volaris
Air Canada - On 7 October 2008 Jaan Albrecht (CEO of Star Alliance) stated that the alliance was looking at adding Avianca as a member[28][32]. However, it is very unlikely that Avianca will join if Copa joins Star Alliance since Copa owns controlling shares in Aerorepublica which operates in the Colombian market, competing with Avianca.
China China Eastern Airlines China Shanghai Airlines Asiana Airlines
Shanghai Airlines
Shanghai Airlines China Eastern Airlines is currently being courted by Star Alliance following the acquisition for Star Alliance member Shanghai Airlines. Glen Tilton, CEO of United Airlines recently visited the Chairman of CEA in order to try to persuade the airline to join Star Alliance. According to media reports All Nippon Airways is also planning to start talks with CEA[34].
Ethiopia Ethiopian Airlines - BMI
Brussels Airlines
Lufthansa
South African Airways
Turkish Airlines
Lufthansa According to CEO Girma Wake, Ethiopian Airlines intends to formally apply for membership early in 2010. The airline hopes to join the alliance in late 2010 or early 2011. Ethiopian also plans to add code share agreements with EgyptAir, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways International and United Airlines.[35][36][37]
India Jet Airways India Jet Konnect
India JetLite
Air Canada
ANA
Brussels Airlines
Turkish Airlines
All Nippon Airways
Austrian Airlines
Brussels Airlines
Lufthansa
South African Airways
Swiss International Air Lines
Turkish Airlines
United Airlines
Media reports suggest that Lufthansa is courting Jet Airways as a future member. Star Alliance has not ruled out adding a second Indian airline in addition to Air India. However the Indian Ministry of Civil Aviation is said to be upset as they feel Air India was put at a disadvantage.[38][39]
In December 2009 Lufthansa board member Karl Ulrich Garnadt mentioned in an interview that a country like India could support more than one alliance member and that Jet Airways was an option for Star Alliance.[40]

Oneworld is discussing about a potential membership for Jet Airways on June 2009, as Jet Airways have strong codeshare ties with Oneworld airlines, particularly American Airlines.[citation needed]
United States JetBlue Airways - Lufthansa - According to Dave Barger, CEO of JetBlue Airways, the airline is currently considering becoming a member of a global airline alliance. Since Lufthansa owns a 19% stake in Jetblue, Star Alliance seems to be the most likely choice. Jetblue already partners Lufthansa and Swiss International Air Lines as well as Aer Lingus, which currently is not part of an alliance.[41][42][43]
Luxembourg Luxair - Austrian Airlines
LOT
Lufthansa
All Star Alliance members Lufthansa owns a 13% stake in the company.[44] The airline has also adopted Lufthansa's 'Miles & More' frequent flyer program as their official loyalty program since 29 March 2009.[45][46]
Qatar Qatar Airways - ANA
Asiana Airlines
BMI
Lufthansa
United Airlines
ANA
Asiana Airlines
BMI
Lufthansa
United Airlines
US Airways
On 24 July 2009 Qatar Airways' CEO Akbar Al Baker revealed that the airline is interested in joining an airline alliance. Al Baker said that he was most interested in joining Star Alliance but he stressed that such a move has to be win-win situation for all parties involved.[47]
Russia Transaero Airlines - Austrian Airlines
BMI
BMI Transaero DG Olga Pleshakova stated that Transaero is "discussing increasing its cooperation with Star Alliance," and is considering full membership, although joining is not currently top priority.
United Kingdom Virgin Atlantic - ANA
BMI
Continental Airlines
Singapore Airlines
South African Airways
US Airways
Air China
Air New Zealand
All Nippon Airways
BMI
Continental Airlines
SAS Scandinavian Airlines
Singapore Airlines
South African Airways
US Airways
Virgin's involvement with Lufthansa's talks on BMI's future may lead to a possible merger on parts of the airlines' operations - this may well lead to Virgin's entrance into the Star Alliance to counter its major rival, oneworld alliance's strong presence on the very lucrative LHR-JFK route. In fact Virgin already has partnership agreements with 9 of the Star Alliance members, while having none with oneworld and SkyTeam members. Singapore Airlines currently has a 49% stake in shareholding on Virgin Atlantic.[43]

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 [7] awarding a status valid for a full two years.

Star Alliance Gold

Star Gold logo
Star Gold logo

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 20 kg (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:

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.

Another carrier offering a similar level for Star Alliance Gold status qualification is Turkish Airlines. Turkish Airlines Miles and Smiles Classic Plus cardholders who earn 40,000 status miles within 12 consecutive months are eligible to become Elite members, thereby earning Star Alliance Gold status. [8] Turkish Airlines Elite status is valid for two years. Miles and Smiles members who are residents of Turkey can renew their Elite level membership by earning 30,000 qualifying miles within one year of earning elite status or 45,000 miles within two years of earning elite status. Miles and Smiles members residing outside of Turkey are eligible for elite status renewal if they accrue 25,000 miles within one year of gaining elite status or 37,500 within two years – the lowest re-qualification criteria for a Star Alliance Gold status.

Effective 1 October 2008, accumulating 40,000 miles over two calendar years in Asiana Airlines Club Programme will gain Gold status, with a renewal requirement of 40,000 miles in two calendar years.

References

  1. ^ "Employment Opportunities." Star Alliance. Retrieved on 27 December 2008.
  2. ^ 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, 5 November 1999
  3. ^ http://www.staralliance.com/en/about/airlines/
  4. ^ "2007 World Airlines Awards– Best Alliance". Skytrax. 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-27.
  5. ^ see page 15
  6. ^ "Star Alliance Gears Up For Terminal Moves at London Heathrow". Star Alliance. Retrieved 2008-03-27.
  7. ^ a b ATW: Star Alliance has eye on India as Air China, Shanghai Airlines prepare to join
  8. ^ EgyptAir » About EgyptAir » News and Press » EgyptAir to join Star Alliance ,last update
  9. ^ http://konzern.lufthansa.com/en/html/presse/pressemeldungen/index.html?c=nachrichten/app/show/en/2009/03/909/HOM&s=0
  10. ^ http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=85779&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1337635&highlight=
  11. ^ Continental Airlines to Relocate Airport Operations at Paris/Charles De Gaulle and Barcelona
  12. ^ http://www.detnews.com/article/20091118/LIFESTYLE07/911180327/1001/rss21
  13. ^ [1]
  14. ^ "ATW Daily News". Atwonline.com. 2009-05-27. Retrieved 2009-06-20.
  15. ^ http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_generic.jsp?channel=aviationdaily&id=news/IND03189.xml
  16. ^ http://atwonline.com/news/story.html?storyID=18765
  17. ^ [2]
  18. ^ TAM Airlines to join Star Alliance
  19. ^ AEGEAN AIRLINES ACCEPTED AS FUTURE STAR ALLIANCE MEMBER CARRIER
  20. ^ Star adds Brussels Airlines, targets up to 50$ members
  21. ^ a b Copa and TACA poised to join Star
  22. ^ Lufthansa launches codeshare flights with TACA to Peru and El Salvador
  23. ^ TACA and Lufthansa ponder joint services
  24. ^ US Airways press release
  25. ^ Copa confirmes SkyTeam exit
  26. ^ [3]
  27. ^ Brussels Airlines Partners
  28. ^ a b Star Alliance takes shine to TAM, Latin America
  29. ^ Air Malta Codeshare Partners
  30. ^ KMile Partners
  31. ^ Star: Alliance's growth, innovation continue to attract attention
  32. ^ a b Warning of the week: Star Alliance shrinks
  33. ^ [4]
  34. ^ http://atwonline.com/news/other.html?issueDate=9%2F21%2F2009
  35. ^ "Ethiopian plans Star entry"
  36. ^ Girma Wake: Driving growth at Ethiopian Airlines
  37. ^ Ethiopia went "from mule to aircraft" when African aviation was in its infancy - Wake
  38. ^ "Lufthansa's support for Jet's Star Alliance entry upsets govt"
  39. ^ Air India Entry To Star Delayed By Year
  40. ^ [5]
  41. ^ "JetBlue eyeing more international partners"
  42. ^ "JetBlue Airways Looking for International Partners"
  43. ^ a b [6]
  44. ^ Luxair: Shareholders
  45. ^ MILES & MORE: LUXAIR IS A FULLY INTEGRATED MILES & MORE PARTNER
  46. ^ Miles & More: Luxair
  47. ^ "Qatar Air CEO: 'Star Alliance should invite us to join'"
  48. ^ Miles & More Status Levels

Template:Aviation portal