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Star Alliance
Logo of Star Alliance.svg
Launch date 14 May 1997; 28 years ago (1997-05-14)
Full members 26
Non-voting members 40 affiliates
Destination airports 1,294
Destination countries 195
Annual passengers (M) 762
Annual RPK (G) 1,739
Fleet size 5,033
Headquarters Singapore
Management
Alliance slogan Together. Better. Connected.

Star Alliance is the world's largest group of airlines that work together. It started on May 14, 1997. Its main office is near Frankfurt Airport in Frankfurt, Germany. There is also a branch office in Singapore. As of April 2024, Star Alliance is the biggest airline group. It has 17.4% of the airline market. This is more than SkyTeam (13.7%) and Oneworld (11.9%).

Star Alliance has 26 member airlines. They fly over 5,000 aircraft (planes). These planes go to more than 1,290 airports in 195 countries. They have over 19,000 flights every day. The alliance has a special rewards program for travelers. It has two levels: Silver and Gold. These levels offer perks like getting on the plane first. Member airlines also often share airport terminals. Many of their planes have the Star Alliance design painted on them.

How Star Alliance Started

"The Star Alliance is Born" – planes from the five founding airlines (United Airlines, Scandinavian Airlines, Thai Airways International, Air Canada and Lufthansa) together in May 1997.
A Thai Airways Airbus A350-900 plane with the Star Alliance design in February 2024.

The First Years (1997–1999)

On May 14, 1997, five airlines from three different parts of the world formed Star Alliance. These airlines were United Airlines, Scandinavian Airlines, Thai Airways International, Air Canada, and Lufthansa. They chose a star logo from the start. The five points of the star stood for the five founding airlines. Their first slogan was "The Airline Network for Earth." Their goal was to connect travelers to every major city.

Later in 1997, VARIG, an airline from Brazil, joined. This helped Star Alliance reach South America. Ansett Australia and Air New Zealand also joined. This expanded the alliance to Australia and the Pacific region. With these new airlines, Star Alliance flew to 720 places in 110 countries. They had a total of 1,650 planes. On October 15, 1999, All Nippon Airways from Japan joined. This made it the second Asian airline in the group.

Growing Bigger (2000s)

Many airlines joined Star Alliance in the early 2000s. The Austrian Airlines Group joined on March 26, 2000. Singapore Airlines joined on April 1. BMI (British Midland) and Mexicana joined on July 1. This brought the total number of members to 13.

In September 2001, Ansett Australia left the alliance. This was because the airline went bankrupt. In 2003, Asiana Airlines joined on March 1. Spanair joined on May 1. LOT Polish Airlines, Poland's main airline, joined in October. Around this time, Mexicana Airlines left the alliance. They decided not to continue sharing flights with United Airlines.

US Airways joined the alliance in May 2004. This made it the second US-based airline in the group. In November, Adria Airways, Blue1, and Croatia Airlines joined. They were the first three smaller, regional members.

TAP Air Portugal joined on March 14, 2005. This added flights to African cities. In April 2006, Swiss International Air Lines and South African Airways joined. Swiss was the sixth European airline. South African Airways was the first African airline.

By May 2007, Star Alliance was 10 years old. Its members had 16,000 flights daily. They flew to 855 places in 155 countries. They served 406 million passengers each year.

VARIG left the alliance on January 31, 2007. Two Chinese airlines, Air China and Shanghai Airlines, joined on December 12. On April 1, 2008, Turkish Airlines joined. This made it the 20th member. EgyptAir, Egypt's national airline, joined on July 11, 2008.

On October 27, 2009, Continental Airlines became the 25th member. They had left SkyTeam just three days before. This was the first time an airline moved directly from one alliance to another. Two months later, Brussels Airlines joined.

More Growth (2010s)

Star Alliance tails at Tokyo Narita Airport - Thai, United, Swiss and SAS
Four Star Alliance member planes at Tokyo Narita Airport: Thai, United, Swiss, and SAS.

Brazilian airline TAM Airlines joined on May 13, 2010. This helped the alliance grow in South America. Aegean Airlines, Greece's biggest airline, joined on June 30.

Shanghai Airlines left the alliance on October 31, 2010. This was because it merged with China Eastern Airlines, a SkyTeam member. On December 13, 2011, Ethiopian Airlines joined. This added five countries and 24 new places to the alliance's map.

The years 2012 and 2013 saw some changes for Star Alliance. Spanair stopped flying. BMI left after being bought by a company that owned Oneworld airlines. In North America, Continental merged with United Airlines. This reduced the number of members, but Continental stayed in the alliance through United.

On June 21, 2012, Avianca, TACA Airlines, and Copa Airlines joined. This greatly increased the alliance's presence in Latin America. In November, Blue1 left. Shenzhen Airlines joined, adding to Air China's network in China. Taiwanese airline EVA Air joined on June 18, 2013. After TACA joined Avianca, the alliance grew to 28 members. This made it the largest of the three main airline alliances. On July 11, 2014, Air India joined the alliance.

In 2014, two major airlines left due to mergers. First, Brazilian airline TAM Airlines merged with LAN Airlines. They became LATAM Airlines Group. This left the alliance without a presence in Brazil. Next, US Airways merged with American Airlines. They also left the alliance. Both new parent companies stayed with Oneworld.

Star Alliance also started adding "Connecting Partners." These are smaller airlines that work with alliance members. They add more connections without becoming full members. Avianca Brasil joined as a Connecting Partner on July 22, 2015. This brought the alliance back into the Brazilian market. Juneyao Airlines joined as a Connecting Partner on May 23, 2017. On August 20, 2019, Avianca Brasil left the alliance. On September 30, 2019, Adria Airways stopped flying and left the alliance.

Recent Changes (2020s)

Thai Smile, a smaller airline of Thai Airways, joined as a Connecting Partner in February 2020. In January 2024, Thai Smile stopped being a separate brand. It became part of Thai Airways International.

On November 16, 2020, Asiana Airlines announced plans to leave the alliance. Asiana will merge with Korean Air, which is a SkyTeam member. In 2022, Lufthansa announced plans to buy part of ITA Airways, another SkyTeam member. If this happens, ITA Airways might join Star Alliance.

On October 3, 2023, Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) announced it plans to leave Star Alliance. It will join SkyTeam instead. This change will happen on August 31, 2024.

Member Airlines

Air Canada, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Thai Airways International and United Airlines were the first five airlines to start the alliance.

Current Members and Their Affiliates

Member Joined Member Affiliates
Greece Aegean Airlines 30 June 2010 Greece Olympic Air
Canada Air Canada 14 May 1997 Canada Air Canada Express
Canada Air Canada Rouge
China Air China 12 December 2007 China Air China Inner Mongolia
China Beijing Airlines
China Dalian Airlines
India Air India 11 July 2014 India Air India Express
India AIX Connect
New Zealand Air New Zealand 3 May 1999 N/A
Japan All Nippon Airways 15 October 1999 Japan Air Japan
Japan ANA Wings
South Korea Asiana Airlines 28 March 2003 N/A
Austria Austrian Airlines 26 March 2000
Colombia Avianca 21 June 2012 Costa Rica Avianca Costa Rica
Ecuador Avianca Ecuador
El Salvador Avianca El Salvador
Colombia Avianca Express
Guatemala Avianca Guatemala
Belgium Brussels Airlines 9 December 2009 N/A
Panama Copa Airlines 21 June 2012 Colombia Copa Airlines Colombia
Croatia Croatia Airlines 18 November 2004 N/A
Egypt Egyptair 11 July 2008
Ethiopia Ethiopian Airlines 13 December 2011
Taiwan EVA Air 18 June 2013 Taiwan UNI Air
Poland LOT Polish Airlines 26 October 2003 N/A
Germany Lufthansa 14 May 1997 Italy Air Dolomiti
Germany Lufthansa CityLine
DenmarkNorwaySweden Scandinavian Airlines 14 May 1997 Republic of Ireland SAS Connect
China Shenzhen Airlines 29 November 2012 N/A
Singapore Singapore Airlines 1 April 2000
Singapore Scoot
South Africa South African Airways 10 April 2006 N/A
Switzerland Swiss International Air Lines 1 April 2006 Switzerland Edelweiss Air
Portugal TAP Air Portugal 14 March 2005 Portugal TAP Express
Thailand Thai Airways International 14 May 1997 N/A
Turkey Turkish Airlines 1 April 2008
United States United Airlines 14 May 1997 United States United Express








Connecting Partners

Connecting Partner Joined Affiliates
China Juneyao Air 23 May 2017 N/A

Train Partners

Since August 2022, the German railway company Deutsche Bahn has been a partner of Star Alliance. This means that Star Alliance airlines can give their own flight numbers to trains.

Airlines That Left the Alliance

Former member Joined Exited Affiliates Why they left
Slovenia Adria Airways 18 November 2004 30 September 2019

Darwin Airline

Stopped flying on September 30, 2019.
Australia Ansett Australia 3 May 1999 12 September 2001 Aeropelican Air Services
Hazelton Airlines
Kendell Airlines
Skywest Airlines
Left the alliance on September 12, 2001, due to money problems.
Brazil Avianca Brasil 22 July 2015 31 August 2019 N/A Stopped flying on August 31, 2019.
Finland Blue1 3 November 2004 1 November 2012 N/A Left the alliance on November 1, 2012.
United Kingdom British Midland International 1 July 2000 20 April 2012 BMI Regional
Bmibaby
Merged into British Airways, an airline in the Oneworld group.
United States Continental Airlines 27 October 2009 3 March 2012 Continental Connection
Continental Express
Continental Micronesia
Merged with United Airlines on March 3, 2012.
Mexico Mexicana 1 July 2000 31 March 2004 Aerocaribe Left the alliance in 2004. Later stopped flying in 2010.
China Shanghai Airlines 12 December 2007 31 October 2010 China United Airlines Bought by China Eastern Airlines, a SkyTeam member.
Spain Spanair 1 May 2003 27 January 2012 AeBal Stopped flying on January 27, 2012.
El Salvador TACA Airlines 21 June 2012 27 May 2013 TACA Regional Merged with Avianca on May 27, 2013.
Brazil TAM Airlines 13 May 2010 30 March 2014 TAM Paraguay Merged with LAN Airlines, a Oneworld member.
United States US Airways 4 May 2004 30 March 2014 US Airways Express
US Airways Shuttle

MetroJet (American airline)

Merged with American Airlines, a Oneworld member.
Brazil VARIG 22 October 1997 31 January 2007 Nordeste
Rio Sul
PLUNA
Stopped flying on July 20, 2006.

Benefits for Travelers

Frequent Flyer Programs and Status

When you fly with any Star Alliance airline, you can earn miles or points. You only need one frequent flyer card. These points help you reach Star Alliance Silver or Gold status. Being a member of one Star Alliance airline's program gives you access to the whole network. You don't need to sign up for other programs.

The more you fly with Star Alliance airlines, the faster you earn miles. You can use these miles for free tickets or upgrades. Remember to give your frequent flyer number when you book flights or check in. This makes sure your miles are added to your account.

Each airline's top loyalty levels match two Star Alliance levels: Star Alliance Silver and Star Alliance Gold. These levels give you special benefits. Some airlines have even higher levels, but they are still considered Gold status within Star Alliance.

  • Star Alliance Silver gives you priority on waiting lists for flights. You also get priority if you are waiting for a flight on standby.
  • Star Alliance Gold is for travelers who fly a lot. It includes all Silver benefits. Plus, you get priority check-in and baggage handling. You can also bring an extra bag for free. You can use special Star Alliance Gold lounges at the airport. You just need to show your boarding pass for a flight that day. Some airlines also offer better seats or guaranteed seats on full flights.

You can join many frequent flyer programs if you want. But you cannot move miles between different programs. It's usually best to use one program. This helps you reach Star Alliance Silver or Gold faster.

Frequent Flyer Programs and Star Alliance Status
Airline Frequent flyer program Star Alliance Silver
(similar status)
Star Alliance Gold
(similar status)
Austria Austrian Airlines Miles & More Frequent Traveller Senator
HON Circle
Belgium Brussels Airlines
Croatia Croatia Airlines
Poland LOT Polish Airlines
Germany Lufthansa
Switzerland Swiss International Air Lines
Greece Aegean Airlines Miles+Bonus Miles+Bonus Silver Miles+Bonus Gold
Canada Air Canada Aeroplan 25K
35K
50K
75K
Super Elite 100K
China Air China PhoenixMiles Silver Gold
Platinum
China Shenzhen Airlines
India Air India Flying Returns Silver Gold
Platinum
New Zealand Air New Zealand Airpoints Silver Gold
Elite
Japan All Nippon Airways ANA Mileage Club Bronze Super Flyers
Diamond
Platinum
South Korea Asiana Airlines Asiana Club Gold Diamond
Diamond Plus
Platinum
Colombia Avianca LifeMiles Silver Gold
Diamond
Cenit
Panama Copa Airlines ConnectMiles ConnectMilesSilver Gold
Platinum
Presidential Platium
Egypt Egyptair EgyptAir Plus Silver Gold
Elite
Platinum
Ethiopia Ethiopian Airlines ShebaMiles Silver Gold
Platinum
Taiwan EVA Air Infinity MileageLands Silver Gold
Diamond
DenmarkNorwaySweden Scandinavian Airlines EuroBonus Silver Gold
Diamond
Pandion
Singapore Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Elite Silver Elite Gold
PPS Club
Solitaire PPS Club
South Africa South African Airways Voyager Silver Gold
Platinum
Portugal TAP Air Portugal Miles&Go Silver Gold
Navigator
Thailand Thai Airways International Royal Orchid Plus Silver Gold
Platinum
Turkey Turkish Airlines Miles & Smiles Classic Plus Elite
Elite Plus
United States United Airlines MileagePlus Premier Silver Premier Gold
Premier Platinum
Premier 1K
Global Services

Some Star Alliance member airlines paint their planes with the alliance's special design. This usually means a white body with "Star Alliance" written on it. The tail fin is black with the alliance logo. The engine colors or wingtip designs often stay the same as the airline's usual look.

Singapore Airlines and Air New Zealand used to be different. Singapore Airlines kept its own logo on the tails. Now, it uses the Star Alliance logo on white tails. Air New Zealand uses a full black design with Star Alliance elements in different colors.

Asiana Airlines was the first Star Alliance member to paint its planes in the current Star Alliance design. Planes that keep their airline's regular paint job have the Star Alliance logo. It is usually placed between the cockpit and the first cabin doors. On very large planes like the Boeing 747 or Airbus A380, the logo is behind the cockpit. For smaller planes with less space, it might be under the cockpit or on the first cabin door.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Star Alliance para niños

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