Launch date | 14 May 1997 |
---|---|
Full members | 25 |
Non-voting members | 40 affiliates |
Destination airports | 1,294 [1] |
Destination countries | 195 [2] |
Annual passengers (M) | 762 [2] |
Annual RPK (G) | 1,739 [1] |
Fleet size | 5,033 [1] |
Headquarters | Frankfurt am Main, Germany [3] |
Management |
|
Alliance slogan | Together. Better. Connected. |
Website | staralliance |
Star Alliance is an airline alliance headquartered in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. [6] Founded on 14 May 1997, it was the world's first global airline alliance. [2] As of April 2024, it is also the world's largest airline alliance by market share, holding 17.4%, compared to 13.7% for SkyTeam and 11.9% for Oneworld. [7]
Star Alliance has 25 member airlines that operate a combined fleet of over 5,000 aircraft, serving more than 1,290 airports in 195 countries on more than 19,000 daily departures. The alliance has a two-tier rewards program, Silver and Gold, with incentives including priority boarding and upgrades. Like other airline alliances, Star Alliance airlines share airport terminals (known as co-locations), and many member planes are painted in the alliance's livery.
On May 14, 1997, an agreement forming the Star Alliance was announced with five airlines across three continents: United Airlines, Scandinavian Airlines, Thai Airways International, Air Canada, and Lufthansa. [8] [9] The alliance chose Young & Rubicam for advertising, with a budget of $25 million (€18 million). [10] The airlines shared the star logo from the beginning, with its five points representing the founding airlines. The alliance adopted its first slogan, "The Airline Network for Earth", [8] with its goal being "an alliance that will take passengers to every major city on Earth". [9]
The now defunct Brazilian airline VARIG joined Star Alliance [8] [11] on 22 October 1997, extending the alliance into South America. Also joining were Ansett Australia and Air New Zealand, expanding Star Alliance to Australia and the Pacific. [12] With the addition of the latter two carriers, the alliance served 720 destinations in 110 countries with a combined fleet of 1,650 aircraft. The next airline to join the alliance is Japan's All Nippon Airways on 15 October 1999, making it the second Asian airline in the alliance. [13] [14]
During the early 2000s, a number of airlines joined Star Alliance; the Austrian Airlines Group (Austrian Airlines, Tyrolean Airways and Lauda Air) joined on 26 March 2000 [15] [16] and Singapore Airlines on 1 April. [17] BMI (British Midland) and Mexicana joined on 1 July, bringing the alliance's membership to 13. [18] With Singapore Airlines' entry into the alliance, Thai Airways considered moving to OneWorld, but eventually decided to remain. [19] The addition of BMI made London Heathrow the only European hub with two alliances. During the year, Emirates considered joining Star Alliance, but decided against it. [20] That year the now-defunct BWIA West Indies Airways, which had entered an alliance with United Airlines, considered becoming a member but did not. [21] In 2000, the alliance also opened its first three business centers (in Los Angeles, Frankfurt, and Bangkok) and announced the formation of an Alliance Management Team (AMT), the partnership's executive body. [22] In September 2001, Ansett Australia (the alliance's only Australian member) left Star Alliance due to bankruptcy, giving most of the Australian market to Qantas (a Oneworld member). That year, Star Alliance announced the appointment of a new CEO, Jaan Albrecht. [22]
Partner airlines promoted the Star Alliance brand with a ‘Round the World’ ticket (RWT) that offered choices of 19,000, 21,000, and 23,000 miles with stopovers of 15 cities valid for one year. [23]
Asiana Airlines joined the alliance on March 1, 2003, [24] Spanair on May 1, 2003, [25] followed by LOT Polish Airlines (Poland's flag carrier) joining in October. [26] Around this time, Mexicana Airlines left the alliance after deciding not to renew a codeshare agreement with United Airlines, later joining Oneworld. [22] US Airways joined the alliance in May 2004, [27] becoming its second US-based airline. In November Adria Airways, Blue1 and Croatia Airlines joined the alliance as its first three regional members. [28]
Although Star Alliance invited Lineas Aereas Azteca in 2005 to join in mid-2007, the airline filed for bankruptcy. TAP Air Portugal joined on 14 March 2005, adding African destinations to the network. [29] [30] In April 2006, Swiss International Air Lines, the alliance's sixth European airline, and South African Airways (its first African carrier) became the 17th and 18th members. [31]
By May 2007, Star Alliance's 10th anniversary, its members had a combined 16,000 daily departures to 855 destinations in 155 countries and served 406 million passengers annually. The alliance introduced Biosphere Connections, a partnership with UNESCO, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands to promote environmental sustainability. [32] [33]
Today, nearly 30% of global air travellers use the services of our member carriers or, looking at it from an overall industry perspective, two-thirds of worldwide air travellers use one of the three airline alliances.
— Jaan Albrecht, former Star Alliance CEO [34]
VARIG left the alliance on 31 January 2007, [35] and the two Chinese airlines, Air China and Shanghai Airlines, joined on 12 December. [36]
On 1 April 2008, Turkish Airlines joined the alliance after a 15-month integration process beginning in December 2006, becoming its 20th member. [37] EgyptAir, Egypt's national airline and Star Alliance's second African carrier, joined on 11 July 2008. [38]
On 27 October 2009, Continental Airlines became the 25th member of Star Alliance after leaving SkyTeam three days earlier. According to alliance CEO Jaan Albrecht, "Bringing Continental Airlines into Star Alliance has been a truly unique experience. This is the first time an airline has moved directly from one alliance to another, and I would like to thank all those involved in ensuring a smooth switch". At the time, it was rumored that the switch was Continental's first move in a planned merger with United Airlines. [39] Two months later, Brussels Airlines joined the alliance. [40]
Brazilian carrier TAM Airlines joined Star Alliance on 13 May 2010, [41] increasing its foothold in South America. [42] Aegean Airlines, Greece's largest airline by number of passengers, joined on 30 June. [43]
Shanghai Airlines left the alliance on 31 October 2010 when it merged with China Eastern Airlines, a SkyTeam member. [44] On 29 September, the chief executive board approved Ethiopian Airlines as Star Alliance's 30th member, though Ethiopian did not officially join the alliance until December of the following year. [45] [46] In 2010 the alliance flew to 1,172 airports in 181 countries, with about 21,200 daily departures. [45]
Since 2011, the alliance has gained several large members, but it has lost others due to collapse or mergers. On 13 December 2011, Ethiopian Airlines joined, adding five countries and 24 destinations to the alliance's map. [47]
2012 and 2013 were tumultuous years for Star Alliance, starting with two key departures but ending with a major move into Latin America. In Europe, Spanair ceased operations, and BMI left after being acquired by International Airlines Group (IAG), the parent company of Oneworld members Iberia and British Airways. BMI was integrated into British Airways. [48] [49] In North America, Continental merged with United Airlines, reducing Star Alliance's membership further, even if it effectively remained in the alliance after the merger. [50] On 21 June, though, Avianca, TACA Airlines and Copa Airlines joined, massively increasing the alliance's Latin American presence. [51] In November, Blue1 left after becoming an affiliate of parent Scandinavian Airlines. [52] and Shenzhen Airlines joined, augmenting Air China's Chinese network. [53] Taiwanese carrier EVA Air then joined on 18 June 2013, and after TACA's integration into Avianca, the alliance grew to 28 members, making it the largest of the three major airline alliances. [54] [55] On 13 December, Air India was again invited to begin an integration process with Star Alliance and joined the alliance on 11 July 2014. [56]
Following this string of expansions, 2014 opened with two major departures through mergers. First, Brazilian carrier TAM Airlines merged with LAN Airlines to become LATAM Airlines Group, leaving the alliance without a presence in the world's fifth-largest country. [57] Next, US Airways completed its merger with American Airlines and also left the alliance. [58] Both parent companies stayed with Oneworld. On 24 June, though, the alliance finally approved Air India, which joined on 11 July, leaving the alliance at 27 members. [59] [60] [61] [62]
Future expansion centers around the addition of Connecting Partners, subsidiaries or partners of alliance members which will add connectivity to the alliance without becoming full members. Avianca Brasil joined in this way on 22 July 2015, bringing the alliance back into the Brazilian market and partially filling the void left by TAM. [63] South African Airways' low-cost subsidiary, Mango, was initially announced to join as a Connecting Partner in Q3 2016, [64] but has since been delayed. Juneyao Airlines, which codeshares with Shenzhen Airlines, joined as a Connecting Partner on 23 May 2017. [65] [66] [67] On 20 August 2019, Star Alliance announced affiliate member Avianca Brasil's exit from the alliance from 1 September 2019. The departure, however, won't affect Avianca's membership. [68] [69] On 30 September 2019, Adria Airways ceased operations, and the airline exited the alliance on 2 October 2019. [70]
The now-defunct regional subsidiary of Thai Airways, Thai Smile joined as a Connecting Partner in February 2020. [71] In January 2024, the Thai Smile brand was discontinued and folded into the parent airline as a result of the reorganization of Thai Airways International following bankruptcy. [72]
On 16 November 2020, Asiana Airlines announced their plans to exit the alliance. [73] Asiana will merge with Korean Air, the South Korean Government confirmed, in a $1.6 billion acquisition by the SkyTeam member. [74] In 2022, Lufthansa announced plans to buy a 40% stake in ITA Airways, a SkyTeam member. If this goes through, then they will become a member of Star Alliance. [75]
Scandinavian Airlines left the alliance on 31 August 2024 to join SkyTeam after Air France–KLM purchased a minority shareholding. [76] [77] [78]
In July 2024, the European Commission approved Lufthansa Group's purchase of a 41% stake in ITA Airways, a Skyteam member. [79] ITA would join Star Alliance in 2026 or 2027. [80]
AFounding member.
BAffiliate is a wholly owned subsidiary that operates flights for its parent company (the member) under a different name.
CAffiliate is a majority owned subsidiary of its parent company (the member) under a different name.
D Air Canada Express flights are operated by Jazz Aviation and PAL Airlines.
E TAP Express flights are operated by Portugália Airlines.
F United Express flights are operated by CommuteAir, GoJet Airlines, Mesa Airlines, Republic Airways and SkyWest Airlines.
Connecting Partner | Joined | Affiliates |
---|---|---|
Juneyao Air [65] | 23 May 2017 | — |
Since August 2022, the German railway provider Deutsche Bahn has been the first intermodal partner of the Star Alliance, whose airlines have been able to assign their own flight numbers for trains. [82] [83]
Former member | Joined | Exited | Affiliates | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Adria Airways | 18 November 2004 | 30 September 2019 | Ceased operations on 30 September 2019. | |
Ansett Australia | 3 May 1999 | 12 September 2001 | Aeropelican Air Services Hazelton Airlines Kendell Airlines Skywest Airlines | Suffered financial collapse on 12 September 2001. [84] Ansett resumed operations on 1 October 2001, but would permanently cease operations on 4 March 2002. In 2002, Hazelton and Kendell merged to become Rex Airlines. |
Avianca Brasil | 22 July 2015 | 31 August 2019 | — | Ceased operations on 31 August 2019. |
Blue1 | 3 November 2004 | 1 November 2012 | — | Left the alliance on 1 November 2012 after SAS took over mainline operations, was a member affiliate of Scandinavian Airlines, and is now a part of CityJet. [52] [85] |
British Midland International | 1 July 2000 | 20 April 2012 | BMI Regional Bmibaby | Merged into British Airways, an International Airlines Group division and a Oneworld member, on 20 April 2012. [48] |
Continental Airlines | 27 October 2009 | 3 March 2012 | Continental Connection Continental Express Continental Micronesia | Merged with United Airlines on 3 March 2012. [86] |
Mexicana | 1 July 2000 | 31 March 2004 | Aerocaribe | Left the alliance in 2004 after deciding not to renew a codeshare alliance with United Airlines, opting instead to codeshare with American Airlines. Ceased operations on 28 August 2010. [87] |
Shanghai Airlines | 12 December 2007 | 31 October 2010 | China United Airlines | Acquired by China Eastern Airlines, a SkyTeam member, on 31 October 2010. [88] |
Spanair | 1 May 2003 | 27 January 2012 | AeBal | Ceased operations on 27 January 2012. [89] |
Scandinavian Airlines | 14 May 1997 | 31 August 2024 | SAS Connect | Founding member; acquired by Air France–KLM, two SkyTeam members. [90] |
TACA Airlines | 21 June 2012 | 27 May 2013 | TACA Regional | Merged with Avianca on 27 May 2013; renamed Avianca El Salvador. |
TAM Airlines | 13 May 2010 | 30 March 2014 | TAM Paraguay | Merged with LAN Airlines, a Oneworld member, on 30 March 2014. |
US Airways | 4 May 2004 | 30 March 2014 | US Airways Express US Airways Shuttle MetroJet | Merged with American Airlines, a Oneworld member, on 30 March 2014. [91] |
VARIG | 22 October 1997 | 31 January 2007 | Nordeste Rio Sul PLUNA | Ceased operations on 20 July 2006. [35] |
Member | Former affiliate | Joined | Exited | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Air Canada | Air Alliance | 1997 | 1999 | Folded into Air Canada Express [92] |
Air BC | 1997 | 2001 | Folded into Air Canada Express [92] | |
Air Canada Tango | 2001 | 2004 | Folded into Air Canada. [93] | |
Air Nova | 1997 | 2001 | Folded into Air Canada Express [92] | |
Air Ontario | 1997 | 2001 | ||
Zip | 2002 | 2004 | Folded into Air Canada. [94] | |
Air India | Alliance Air | 2014 | 2022 | Formerly Air India Regional. From 15 April 2022, no longer a part of Air India after its divestment and will be run as an independent Business unit under the Government of India. Thus no longer a member of Star Alliance. |
Air New Zealand | Air Nelson | 1999 | 2019 | Folded into Air New Zealand. |
Mount Cook Airlines | 1999 | 2019 | ||
All Nippon Airways | Air Next | 2004 | 2010 | Merged with ANA Wings [95] |
Air Nippon | 1999 | 2012 | ||
Avianca | Avianca Perú | 2012 | 2020 | Ceased operations when Avianca filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy amid the COVID-19 pandemic. [96] |
Austrian Airlines | Lauda Air | 2000 | 2013 | Replaced by Austrian Airlines operations, now known as Austrian myHoliday. [97] |
Tyrolean Airways | 2000 | 2015 | Folded into Austrian Airlines [98] | |
Brussels Airlines | Korongo Airlines | 2009 | 2015 | Folded into Brussels Airlines [99] |
EgyptAir | EgyptAir Express | 2006 | 2019 | Merged with EgyptAir |
LOT Polish Airlines | Centralwings | 2004 | 2009 | Folded into LOT Polish Airlines [100] |
Lufthansa | Lufthansa Italia | 2009 | 2011 | Folded into Lufthansa [101] |
Scandinavian Airlines | Blue1 | 2012 | 2015 | Folded into Cityjet [52] [85] |
Singapore Airlines | Silkair | 1989 | 2021 | Folded into Singapore Airlines. Some routes transferred to Scoot. [102] |
Tigerair | 2003 | 2017 | Merged into Scoot. [103] | |
South African Airways | South African Express | 2006 | 2020 | Folded into South African Airways. |
Swiss International Air Lines | Swiss Global Air Lines | 2007 | 2018 | Folded into Swiss International Air Lines after being dissolved. |
Swiss Private Aviation | 2007 | 2011 | Absorbed into Swiss International Air Lines. [104] | |
Thai Airways International | Thai Smile | 2011 | 2024 | Folded into Thai Airways [105] |
Turkish Airlines | AnadoluJet | 2008 | 2024 | Re-established as AJet. |
Cyprus Turkish Airlines | 2008 | 2010 | Folded into Turkish Airlines [106] | |
United Airlines | United Shuttle | 1997 | 2001 | Became part of United Airlines. [107] |
TED | 2004 | 2009 | Folded into United Airlines. [108] |
Status miles can be earned across all Star Alliance member airlines’ frequent flyer programs using a single frequent flyer card, allowing members to attain Star Alliance Silver status or progress to Gold status. Membership in any Star Alliance airline program grants full access to the entire Star Alliance network without the need to register with any additional program.
The more a customer flies on the Star Alliance network, the faster miles or points can be earned, which can be used redeem for a reward ticket or upgrade, along with several other rewards in specific airlines. Customers will have to provide their frequent flyer number when booking flights or when checking in whenever they fly with any Star Alliance member airline in eligible booking classes, for miles or points to be credited to their account.
The higher-tier status levels of each member airline’s frequent flyer programs are aligned with the two uniformly recognized Star Alliance status levels: Star Alliance Silver and Star Alliance Gold. These two status levels entitle special Star Alliance premium customer benefits and privileges. Several programs have premium statuses beyond Gold, but these statuses are still considered under Gold status within the overall Star Alliance network.
Star Alliance Silver grants customers within the frequent-flyer program access to priority reservations waitlist and priority airport stand-by. [109] [110] Star Alliance Gold is given to customers who have reached a higher level of a member airline's frequent-flyer program. Benefits are priority reservations waitlist, airport stand-by, check-in and baggage handling; an additional checked luggage allowance of 20 kilograms (44 lb) (or one extra piece, where the piece rule applies), and access to designated Star Alliance Gold lounges the day and place of departure with the presentation of a Star Alliance boarding pass. Some airlines also offer preferred seating (an exit seat or a special section of the plane); guaranteed seating on fully booked flights, subject to the booking class code and notice period, and free upgrades in the form of a voucher, certificate or automatic upgrade at check-in. United restricts US lounge access for their Gold Members to long-haul international passengers; Gold members from other carriers are welcome in US lounges run by United on all itineraries. [110]
It is possible to join multiple member airline frequent flyer programmes. However, as they are each managed separately, miles or points can neither be transferred between programs nor be consolidated into a single program. Therefore, using a single frequent flyer programme provides a faster path towards attaining Star Alliance Silver or Star Alliance Gold. [111] [112]
Frequent flyer program list by airline and Star Alliance status equivalents | |||
---|---|---|---|
Airline | Frequent flyer program | Star Alliance Silver equivalent status(es) | Star Alliance Gold equivalent status(es) |
Austrian Airlines | Miles & More | Frequent Traveller | Senator HON Circle |
Brussels Airlines | |||
Croatia Airlines | |||
LOT Polish Airlines | |||
Lufthansa | |||
Swiss International Air Lines | |||
Aegean Airlines | Miles+Bonus | Miles+Bonus Silver | Miles+Bonus Gold |
Air Canada | Aeroplan [113] | 25K 35K | 50K 75K Super Elite 100K |
Air China | PhoenixMiles | Silver | Gold Platinum |
Shenzhen Airlines | |||
Air India | Flying Returns | Silver | Gold Platinum [114] |
Air New Zealand | Airpoints | Silver | Gold Elite |
All Nippon Airways | ANA Mileage Club | Bronze | Super Flyers Diamond Platinum |
Asiana Airlines | Asiana Club | Gold | Diamond Diamond Plus Platinum |
Avianca | LifeMiles | Silver | Gold Diamond Cenit |
Copa Airlines | ConnectMiles | ConnectMilesSilver | Gold Platinum Presidential Platinum |
Egyptair | EgyptAir Plus | Silver | Gold Elite Platinum |
Ethiopian Airlines | ShebaMiles | Silver | Gold Platinum |
EVA Air | Infinity MileageLands | Silver | Gold Diamond |
Scandinavian Airlines | EuroBonus | Silver | Gold Diamond Pandion |
Singapore Airlines | KrisFlyer | Elite Silver | Elite Gold PPS Club Solitaire PPS Club |
South African Airways | Voyager | Silver | Gold Platinum |
TAP Air Portugal | Miles&Go | Silver | Gold Navigator |
Thai Airways International | Royal Orchid Plus | Silver | Gold Platinum |
Turkish Airlines | Miles & Smiles | Classic Plus | Elite Elite Plus |
United Airlines | MileagePlus | Premier Silver | Premier Gold Premier Platinum Premier 1K Global Services |
This section contains content that is written like an advertisement .(October 2022) |
The common use of codeshare agreements led to suspicions of anti-competitive behavior. The European Union suspected the alliance of operating as a virtual merger of its members, with speculation that, if regulations were relaxed, the members might merge into one corporation. [115]
In 2004, Star Alliance introduced a "regional" concept to expand its reach through smaller regional carriers. To join, these regional members needed sponsorship from an existing alliance member. The alliance no longer labels airlines as "regional" members, instead referring to all 27 airlines simply as "members." [116]
By 2007, alliance members were operating 18,521 daily flights to 1,321 airports in 193 countries, with a fleet of 4,025 aircraft. The members collectively transported 627.52 million passengers and generated revenue of US$156.8 billion (€145 billion), holding 28 percent of the global market based on revenue passenger kilometers (RPK). Together, the alliance's carriers employed over 405,000 pilots, flight attendants, and other staff.
Some Star Alliance members paint some of their aircraft with the alliance livery, usually a white fuselage with "Star Alliance" across it and a black tail fin with the alliance logo; the color or design of the engine cowlings or winglets remains, depending on the member's livery. Singapore Airlines and Air New Zealand were two exceptions: Singapore Airlines formerly kept its logo on the tails of its aircraft, but now uses the Star Alliance logo on white tails, while Air New Zealand now uses full black livery with reversed colored original Star Alliance livery elements. Asiana Airlines was the first Star Alliance member to paint its aircraft in the current Star Alliance livery. [117] Aircraft painted in an airline's regular livery have the Star Alliance logo between the cockpit and the first set of cabin doors, except double deck airliner like Boeing 747 and Airbus A380, which printed Star Alliance logo behind cockpit, and airliner with narrow space between the cockpit and the cabin door like the McDonnell Douglas DC-9\MD-80 and Comac ARJ21, which printed the Star Alliance logo under the cockpit or on the first cabin door.
British Airways plc (BA) is the flag carrier airline of the United Kingdom. It is headquartered in London, England, near its main hub at Heathrow Airport.
Avianca S.A., is the largest airline in Colombia. It has been the flag carrier of Colombia since December 5, 1919, when it was initially registered under the name SCADTA. It is headquartered in Colombia, with its registered office in Barranquilla and its global headquarters in Bogotá and main hub at El Dorado International Airport. Avianca is the flagship of a group of airlines of the Americas, which operates as one airline using a codesharing system. Avianca is the largest airline in Colombia and second largest in South America, after LATAM of Chile. Avianca and its subsidiaries have the most extensive network of destinations in the Americas. Before the merger with TACA in 2010, it was wholly owned by Synergy Group, a South American holding company established by Germán Efromovich and specializing in air transport. It is listed on the Colombia Stock Exchange.
Deutsche Lufthansa AG, or simply Lufthansa, is the flag carrier of Germany. When combined with its subsidiaries, it ranks second in Europe by passengers carried, as well as largest in Europe and fourth largest in the world by revenue. Lufthansa is also one of the five founding members of Star Alliance, which is the world's largest airline alliance, formed in 1997. Lufthansa was founded in 1953 and commenced operations in April 1955.
An airline alliance is an aviation industry arrangement between two or more airlines agreeing to cooperate on a substantial level. Alliances may provide marketing branding to facilitate travelers making inter-airline codeshare connections within countries. This branding may involve unified aircraft liveries of member aircraft.
Swiss International Air Lines AG, stylized as SWISS, is the flag carrier of Switzerland and a subsidiary of the Lufthansa Group, as well as a Star Alliance member. It operates scheduled services in Europe and to North America, South America, Africa and Asia. Zurich Airport serves as its main hub and Geneva Airport as its secondary hub.
All Nippon Airways Co., Ltd. is a Japanese airline headquartered in Minato, Tokyo. ANA operates services to both domestic and international destinations and is Japan's largest airline, ahead of its main rival flag carrier Japan Airlines. As of April 2023, the airline has approximately 12,800 employees. The airline joined as a Star Alliance member in October 1999.
US Airways was a major airline in the United States that operated from 1937 until it merged with American Airlines in 2015. It was originally founded in Pittsburgh as a mail delivery airline called All American Aviation, which soon became a commercial passenger airline. In 1953, it was renamed Allegheny Airlines and operated under that name for a quarter-century. In October 1979, after the passage of the Airline Deregulation Act, Allegheny Airlines changed its name to USAir. A decade later it had acquired Piedmont Airlines and Pacific Southwest Airlines (PSA), and was one of the U.S.'s seven transcontinental legacy carriers. In 1997, it rebranded as US Airways.
Oneworld is a global airline alliance consisting of 15 member airlines. It was founded on 1 February 1999. The alliance's stated objective is to be the first choice airline alliance for the world's frequent international travellers. Its headquarters have been located in Fort Worth, Texas since December 2022.
Compañía Panameña de Aviación, S.A., branded as Copa Airlines, is the flag carrier of Panama. It is headquartered in Panama City, Panama, with its main hub at Tocumen International Airport. Copa is a subsidiary of Copa Holdings and a member of the Star Alliance. The airline is owned by Copa Holdings, which also owns Colombian airline AeroRepública, which operates under the brands Wingo and Copa Airlines Colombia.
Asiana Airlines Inc. is a South Korean airline headquartered in Seoul. The airline operates 90 international passenger routes, 14 domestic passenger routes and 27 cargo routes throughout Asia, Europe, and North America. In 2019, it accounted for 25% of South Korea's international aviation market and 20% of its domestic market. It maintains its international hub at Incheon International Airport and its domestic hub at Gimpo International Airport, both in Seoul.
SkyTeam is one of the world's three major airline alliances. Founded in June 2000, SkyTeam was the last of the three alliances to be formed, the first two being Star Alliance and Oneworld, respectively. Its annual passenger count is 437 million customers (2023), the second largest of the three major alliances. As of January 2024, SkyTeam consists of 19 active carriers from five continents and operates with the slogan "Caring more about you". It also operates a cargo alliance named SkyTeam Cargo, which partners with ten carriers, all SkyTeam members. Its centralised management team, SkyTeam Central, is based in Amstelveen, Netherlands.
Aegean Airlines S.A. is the flag carrier of Greece and the largest Greek airline by total number of passengers carried, by number of destinations served, and by fleet size. A Star Alliance member since June 2010, it operates scheduled and charter services from Athens and Thessaloniki to other major Greek, European and Middle Eastern destinations. Its main hubs are Athens International Airport in Athens, Macedonia International Airport in Thessaloniki and Larnaca International Airport in Cyprus. It also uses other Greek airports as bases, some of which are seasonal. It has its head office in Kifisia, a suburb of Athens.
Wings Alliance was the working name of a proposed airline alliance to be anchored by the American carriers Northwest Airlines and Continental Airlines of USA with the European flag carriers KLM of the Netherlands and Italy's Alitalia. Although these airlines cooperated with one another through code-sharing and frequent flyer program coordination, no formal association was ever announced. It was rendered superfluous in September 2004 when most of its participants joined the SkyTeam alliance.
Oman Air is the flag carrier of Oman. Based at Muscat International Airport in Muscat, it operates domestic and international passenger services, as well as regional air taxi and charter flights.
Avianca Brasil S.A., officially Oceanair Linhas Aéreas S/A, was a Brazilian airline based in Congonhas Airport in São Paulo, Brazil. According to the National Civil Aviation Agency of Brazil (ANAC), which cancelled its operation, prior to cessation of operations, from January to December 2018 Avianca Brasil had 13.4% of the domestic and 7.3% of the international market share in terms of passengers per kilometer flown, making it the fourth-largest airline both in domestic and international traffic in Brazil. The company slots were redistributed by Anac. An auction on 10 July 2019 raised R$555.3 million, not enough to pay a debt of R$2.7 billion, although Avianca's bankruptcy was not officially decreed.
Miles & More is the frequent-flyer program owned and operated by the Lufthansa Group.
Brussels Airlines is the flag carrier and largest airline of Belgium, based and headquartered at Brussels Airport. It operates to over 100 destinations in Europe, North America and Africa and also offers charter services, maintenance and crew training. It is a member of the Star Alliance as well as the International Air Transport Association. The airline's IATA code SN is inherited from its predecessors, Sabena and SN Brussels Airlines. Brussels Airlines is part of the Lufthansa Group. The company slogan is ′You’re in good company′.
Azul Linhas Aéreas Brasileiras S/A is a Brazilian airline headquartered in Barueri, a suburb of São Paulo. The company's business model is to stimulate demand by providing frequent and affordable air service to underserved markets throughout Brazil. The company was named Azul after a naming contest in 2008, where "Samba" was the other popular name. Azul is a publicly traded company on the Brazilian stock exchange, with the ticker AZUL4. It was established on 5 May 2008 by Brazilian-born David Neeleman, with a fleet of 76 Embraer 195 jets. The airline began service on 15 December 2008.
Italia Trasporto Aereo S.p.A., doing business as ITA Airways, is the flag carrier of Italy. It is owned by the Government of Italy via the Ministry of Economy and Finance and was founded in 2020 as bankrupt Alitalia's successor. The airline flies to over 70 scheduled domestic, European, and intercontinental destinations. ITA is a member of the SkyTeam airline alliance. Its main hub is Rome Fiumicino Airport near Rome and focus city is Linate Airport near Milan. ITA Airways will leave SkyTeam and join the Star Alliance as part of the process of its acquisition by Lufthansa.
Media related to Star Alliance at Wikimedia Commons