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.
86-576: Star Alliance is an airline alliance headquartered in Frankfurt am Main, Germany . Founded on 14 May 1997, it was the world's first global airline alliance. 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 . 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
172-521: A SkyTeam member. 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. In 2010 the alliance flew to 1,172 airports in 181 countries, with about 21,200 daily departures. 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
258-602: A Connecting Partner in February 2020. 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. On 16 November 2020, Asiana Airlines announced their plans to exit the alliance. Asiana will merge with Korean Air , the South Korean Government confirmed, in a $ 1.6 billion acquisition by
344-408: A Connecting Partner on 23 May 2017. 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. On 30 September 2019, Adria Airways ceased operations, and the airline exited the alliance on 2 October 2019. The now-defunct regional subsidiary of Thai Airways, Thai Smile joined as
430-620: A Oneworld Connect partner, announced in June 2024 that it would become a full member. On 20 June 2022, Oman Air announced it would formally join the alliance by 2024. As of March 2020, its member airlines collectively operate a fleet of 3,296 aircraft, serve about 1,000 airports in 170 countries, carrying over 490 million passengers per year on 13,000 plus daily departures. It is the third-largest global airline alliance in terms of passengers carried, behind SkyTeam (676 million in 2019) and Star Alliance (762 million in 2019). Oneworld announced
516-752: A budget of $ 25 million (€18 million). which brought competing airlines to form Oneworld in 1999 and SkyTeam in 2000. In 2010 Richard Branson , chairman of the Virgin Group , announced his intention to form a fourth alliance among Virgin branded airlines ( Virgin Atlantic ; Virgin America ; and the Virgin Australia Holdings group of airlines). Then in September 2011, Branson said that Virgin Atlantic would join one of
602-416: A budget of $ 25 million (€18 million). 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", with its goal being "an alliance that will take passengers to every major city on Earth". The now defunct Brazilian airline VARIG joined Star Alliance on 22 October 1997, extending
688-404: A fleet of 1,577 aircraft. Finnair , Finland 's largest airline and flag carrier , was the alliance's first new recruit on 9 December 1998. The alliance welcomed Iberia , Spain's flag carrier, as its second recruit on 15 February 1999. Both airlines, together with Iberia's franchisee, Iberia Regional Air Nostrum , joined the alliance on 1 September 1999, adding more than 50 destinations to
774-426: 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
860-675: A formal letter of invitation to join the alliance, along with five members of the JAL Group as affiliate members, including J-Air , JAL Express , JALways , Japan Asia Airways and Japan Transocean Air . All three of these airline groups — Japan Airlines, Malév and Royal Jordanian — joined as full members and started offering the alliance's full range of services and benefits on 1 April 2007, along with, as Oneworld affiliate members, Japan Airlines' subsidiaries J‑Air, JAL Express, JALways, Japan Asia Airways and Japan Transocean Air, and LAN's subsidiaries LAN Argentina and LAN Ecuador. They expanded
946-409: A given route, different times to choose from, more destinations within easy reach, shorter travel times, more options of airport lounges shared with alliance members, fast track access on all alliance members if having frequent flyer status, faster mileage rewards by earning miles for a single account on several different carriers, round-the-world tickets , enabling travellers to fly over the world for
SECTION 10
#17327721436171032-499: A member-elect Royal Jordanian , the first airline from the Middle East to accept an invitation to join any global airline alliance. Japan Airlines , then Asia 's largest airline group, applied to join the alliance on 25 October 2005. JAL and Oneworld exchanged an MOU on 8 February 2006, setting out a framework for the remaining steps to be taken before the airline could be formally invited to join. On 5 June 2006, JAL accepted
1118-785: A memorandum of understanding, subject to Indian regulatory approval. The airline gained approval to join the alliance from the India's Ministry of Civil Aviation and started participating in the alliance's Global Explorer round-the-world fare product. However, on 3 February 2012, just a week before it was due to join the alliance, Kingfisher Airlines' entry was put on hold to give it more time to strengthen its financial position. Kingfisher Airlines suspended operations on 20 October 2012 and finally ceased operations in February 2013. On 26 July 2010, Air Berlin , at that time Germany's second-largest airline, accepted an invitation to join Oneworld and joined
1204-619: A relatively low price. Airline alliances may also create disadvantages for the traveller, such as higher prices when competition is erased on a certain route or less frequent flights; for instance, if two airlines separately fly three and two times a day respectively on a shared route, their alliance might fly less than 5 (3+2) times a day on the same route. This might be especially true between hub cities for each airline. e.g., flights between Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (a Delta Air Lines fortress hub ) and Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (a KLM fortress hub). The first airline alliance
1290-616: 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 . The alliance chose Young & Rubicam for advertising, with
1376-501: 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
1462-655: 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. The alliance's current membership consists of Alaska Airlines , American Airlines , British Airways , Cathay Pacific , Finnair , Iberia , Japan Airlines , Malaysia Airlines , Qantas , Qatar Airways , Royal Air Maroc , Royal Jordanian and SriLankan Airlines . Fiji Airways ,
1548-419: Is a majority owned subsidiary of its parent company (the member) under a different name. Air Canada Express flights are operated by Jazz Aviation and PAL Airlines . TAP Express flights are operated by Portugália Airlines . United Express flights are operated by CommuteAir , GoJet Airlines , Mesa Airlines , Republic Airways and SkyWest Airlines . Since August 2022,
1634-612: Is currently unannounced. On 31 March 2021, Alaska Airlines and its affiliates Alaska Horizon and Alaska SkyWest joined the alliance as member and member affiliates, respectively. On 20 June 2022, Oman Air and Oneworld signed the MOU for Oman Air to join the alliance during IATA General Meeting in Doha. Qatar Airways will act as their sponsor. In August 2023, the CEO of MIAT Mongolian Airlines Munkhtamir Batbayar revealed in an interview
1720-475: 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. The common use of codeshare agreements led to suspicions of anti-competitive behavior. The European Union suspected
1806-491: 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. On 24 June 2024, Star Alliance was voted for two top awards by Skytrax ; 2024 World's Best Airline Alliance and Best Airline Alliance Lounge . [REDACTED] Media related to Star Alliance at Wikimedia Commons Airline alliance In 2015, Star Alliance
SECTION 20
#17327721436171892-828: The SkyTeam member. In 2022, Lufthansa Group announced plans to buy a 41% stake in ITA Airways , a SkyTeam member. The European Commission approved the group's purchase of ITA's 41% stake in July 2024. ITA would join Star Alliance in 2026 or 2027. On October 2023, as a part of the restructuring of Scandinavian Airlines' parent company SAS Group , Air France-KLM, along with the Government of Denmark and two financial firms announced plans to invest in Scandinavian Airlines. In March 2024, US Bankruptcy Court approved
1978-616: The 17th and 18th members. 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. Today, nearly 30% of global air travellers use
2064-405: 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
2150-934: The AmericanConnection brand at that time: Chautauqua Airlines , Corporate Airlines , and Trans States Airlines . The alliance further strengthened its network in Latin America when LAN's two subsidiaries, LAN Argentina and LAN Ecuador , became the alliance's newest affiliate members. LAN Argentina launched passenger and cargo services in June 2005 from its home base in Buenos Aires , while LAN Ecuador launched its services in April 2003 from its home base in Guayaquil . Both airlines officially joined their sister airlines and offer alliance's services and benefits on 1 April 2007. Conversely, on 5 March 2007,
2236-1169: The British Airways name, livery and flight code On routes operated on behalf of Finnair only Iberia Regional flights are operated by Air Nostrum QantasLink flights are operated by Alliance Airlines , Eastern Australia Airlines , National Jet Systems , Network Aviation and Sunstate Airlines . Alliance Airlines routes only count if they are operated for QantasLink. Founding member affiliate AmericanConnection flights were operated by Chautauqua Airlines , RegionsAir and Trans States Airlines Merged with Cathay Pacific on 21 October 2020 Merged with SriLankan Airlines on 31 October 2016 Merged with American Airlines on 17 October 2015 US Airways Express flights were operated by Air Wisconsin , Mesa Airlines , Piedmont Airlines , PSA Airlines , Republic Airways and SkyWest Airlines The Oneworld alliance has been home to numerous conflicts between member airlines. As of 2024, all cases of tension between Oneworld airlines have involved Qatar Airways as one of
2322-485: The CEO are vice-presidents for commercial; membership and customer experience; and corporate communications, a chief financial officer and an IT director. The CEO reports to the Oneworld Governing Board, which is made up of the chief executives of each of the member airlines. The Governing Board meets regularly to set strategic direction and review progress. Chairmanship of the board rotates among
2408-589: 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. 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
2494-609: The Netherlands signed the first open skies agreement with the United States, in spite of objections from the European Union , which gave both countries unrestricted landing rights on the other's soil. Normally landing rights are granted for a fixed number of flights per week to a fixed destination. Each adjustment requires negotiations, often between governments rather than between the companies involved. In return,
2580-631: The Oneworld alliance moved to Fort Worth , Texas, US, where American Airlines —one of its member airlines—is headquartered, in December 2022. Oneworld was unveiled by its founding members, American Airlines , British Airways , Canadian Airlines International , Cathay Pacific and Qantas at a press conference in London , United Kingdom, on 21 September 1998. Oneworld was officially launched and became operational on 1 February 1999. The alliance outlined its services and benefits as including: Ahead of
2666-604: The Oneworld alliance. US Airways' participation in Star Alliance lapsed. In 2012, in South America, LAN Airlines and TAM Airlines began their merger. In March 2014, with the merger complete, TAM left Star Alliance and became part of LAN in Oneworld. On September 21, 2015, the Vanilla Alliance was formed between several airlines based in the Indian Ocean region, in order to improve air connectivity within
Star Alliance - Misplaced Pages Continue
2752-401: The Oneworld network to almost 700 airports in nearly 150 countries served by 9,000 daily departures, carrying around 315 million passengers per year with a fleet of almost 2,500 aircraft, with top-tier frequent flyers able to access 400 airport lounges worldwide. On the same day, Aer Lingus voluntarily exited the alliance due to a fundamental change to its business strategy. The Irish carrier
2838-441: The Oneworld network. On 19 May 1999, LAN Chile became a member-elect, the alliance's first representative from Latin America. LanChile's two subsidiaries, LAN Express and LAN Perú , would also join the alliance. Irish flag carrier Aer Lingus was formally elected on board and confirmed as the ninth member of the alliance on 2 December 1999. As LanChile and Aer Lingus joined on 1 June 2000, Canadian Airlines International left
2924-508: The United States granted antitrust immunity to the alliance between Northwest Airlines and KLM. Other alliances would struggle for years to overcome the transnational barriers and lack of antitrust immunity, and still do so. On May 14, 1997, an agreement was announced forming the Star Alliance with five airlines on three continents: United Airlines , Scandinavian Airlines , Thai Airways International , Air Canada , and Lufthansa . The alliance chose Young & Rubicam for advertising, with
3010-427: The United States with its financial situation deteriorating. The airline suspended all operations from 28 August 2010. With the group under Mexican court protection, it has remained an inactive member of Oneworld since then. On 23 February 2010, India's Kingfisher Airlines took its first step to joining Oneworld with its chairman Vijay Mallya and chief executives from the alliance's existing member airlines signing
3096-435: The airline itself, respectively. The alliance ended its relationship with affiliate member and British Airways franchisee BMED on 27 October 2007, following the purchase of the airline by one of British Airways' UK rivals, BMI . Four days later, Oneworld welcomed its latest affiliate member and Cathay Pacific wholly-owned subsidiary Dragonair to the alliance on 1 November 2007 – rebranded Cathay Dragon in 2016, it
3182-496: The airline joined the alliance on 1 April 2020, extending the alliance's network into Africa. On 26 September 2019, SkyTeam member Delta Air Lines announced its plans to buy 20% of LATAM for US$ 1.9 billion. On 1 January 2024, it was announced that Delta's acquisition of its 20% stake in LATAM was completed. LATAM Airlines Group announced that it would leave Oneworld on 1 May 2020, but the fate of Qatar Airways' 10% stake in LATAM
3268-713: The airline was wound up in the following weeks. In February 2009, Oneworld celebrated its tenth anniversary with its ten member airlines—American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Iberia Airlines, Japan Airlines, LAN, Malév, Qantas , and Royal Jordanian. In the past decade, membership had doubled from an initial five members to ten members; its member airlines carried a total of 2.5 billion passengers and generated almost $ 500 billion , €450 million in revenue from passenger activities. Alliance fares and sales products generated $ 5 billion, €2.5 billion in revenue alone, with two-thirds or almost $ 3 billion, €1.5 billion would not have been generated if
3354-530: The airline would be joining as a Oneworld Connect member, the second one after Fiji Airways. It already has extensive codesharing with some Oneworld members, for example, Cathay Pacific since 2017 and JAL since 2020. On 3 December 2023, the Alaska Air Group announced it planned to acquire Hawaiian Airlines for US$ 1.9 billion. The deal, which closed on 18 September 2024, retains both Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines as separate brands. Under
3440-410: The airline. Air Berlin subsequently left Oneworld upon entering administration and ceasing operations on 28 October 2017. On 1 June 2018, Oneworld introduced Oneworld Connect, a membership platform similar to Star Alliance's "Connecting Partners", with Fiji Airways as the first member effective from 5 December onwards. On 5 December 2018, Oneworld announced Royal Air Maroc as a member-elect, and
3526-481: The alliance after the merger. On 21 June, though, Avianca, TACA Airlines and Copa Airlines joined, massively increasing the alliance's Latin American presence. In November, Blue1 left after becoming an affiliate of parent Scandinavian Airlines . and Shenzhen Airlines joined, augmenting Air China's Chinese network. Taiwanese carrier EVA Air then joined on 18 June 2013, and after TACA 's integration into Avianca ,
Star Alliance - Misplaced Pages Continue
3612-406: The alliance as its first three regional members. 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. In April 2006, Swiss International Air Lines , the alliance's sixth European airline, and South African Airways (its first African carrier) became
3698-408: The alliance did not exist. As part of the celebration and to increase awareness of the 10‑member alliance, all the alliance member airlines decorated a proportion of their aircraft fleets in a new standard Oneworld livery—around 40 aircraft in total, mainly types that fly on international routes. The alliance also unveiled a special version of its logo, featuring the text "10 years" printed behind
3784-599: The alliance ended its relationship with affiliate member and British Airways subsidiary, BA Connect . BA Connect's UK regional operations were sold to Flybe on 3 November 2006, in return for a 15% stake in the latter. Approximately 50 UK regional routes are affected by the sale; however, Belfast and Southampton would remain linked to the alliance network through other British Airways and alliance members. BA Connect's operations from London City Airport and between Manchester and New York were retained and operated by another British Airways subsidiary, BA CityFlyer , and
3870-432: The alliance grew to 28 members, making it the largest of the three major airline alliances. On 13 December, Air India was again invited to begin an integration process with Star Alliance and joined the alliance on 11 July 2014. 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
3956-472: The alliance into South America . Also joining were Ansett Australia and Air New Zealand , expanding Star Alliance to Australia and the Pacific. 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
4042-589: The alliance members' chief executives. Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker succeeded Qantas CEO as chairman in May 2021. In 2011, the alliance headquarters relocated from Vancouver , British Columbia, Canada, to Park Avenue in New York City, New York, United States, sharing premises with the local offices of a number of Oneworld member airlines including American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Japan Airlines and Qantas. The headquarters of
4128-581: 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. 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." By 2007, alliance members were operating 18,521 daily flights to 1,321 airports in 193 countries, with
4214-599: The alliance on 20 March 2012. On 6 June 2011, Malaysia Airlines became a new member designate on the sidelines of the IATA World Air Transport Summit in Singapore. Malaysia Airlines became a part of Oneworld on 1 February 2013. On 11 June 2012, SriLankan Airlines became Oneworld's latest member-elect, on the sidelines of the IATA World Air Transport Summit in Beijing . Cathay Pacific
4300-496: The alliance on March 1, 2003, Spanair on May 1, 2003, followed by LOT Polish Airlines (Poland's flag carrier ) joining in October. Around this time, Mexicana Airlines left the alliance after deciding not to renew a codeshare agreement with United Airlines, later joining Oneworld . US Airways joined the alliance in May 2004, becoming its second US-based airline. In November Adria Airways , Blue1 and Croatia Airlines joined
4386-482: The alliance without a presence in the world's fifth-largest country. Next, US Airways completed its merger with American Airlines and also left the alliance. 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. Future expansion centers around the addition of Connecting Partners, subsidiaries or partners of alliance members which will add connectivity to
SECTION 50
#17327721436174472-518: 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. South African Airways' low-cost subsidiary, Mango, was initially announced to join as a Connecting Partner in Q3 2016, but has since been delayed. Juneyao Airlines , which codeshares with Shenzhen Airlines , joined as
4558-554: The alliance's full members. For customers, they further extend the network the alliance can offer. In governance terms, these affiliates are represented in Oneworld affairs by their "parent" airline. Air Liberté ceased to be an affiliate member of Oneworld when the French airline was sold by British Airways to French investment group Taitbout with the UK carrier explaining that it had been unable to receive adequate returns on its investment in
4644-530: The alliance's map. 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. In North America, Continental merged with United Airlines , reducing Star Alliance's membership further, even if it effectively remained in
4730-454: The alliance, following the airline's purchase by Air Canada , a member of the rival Star Alliance . Swiss International Air Lines (Swiss) accepted an invitation to join Oneworld in September 2003, after signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on 23 September 2003 to establish a wide-ranging commercial agreement with British Airways. However, Swiss later decided not to proceed with key elements of its agreement with British Airways and
4816-577: The alliance. 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 and Singapore Airlines on 1 April. BMI (British Midland) and Mexicana joined on 1 July, bringing the alliance's membership to 13. With Singapore Airlines' entry into the alliance, Thai Airways considered moving to OneWorld , but eventually decided to remain. The addition of BMI made London Heathrow
4902-706: The business. Kenya -based Regional Air joined the alliance on 1 July 2001, following its franchising agreement with British Airways. British Airways terminated its franchise agreement with Regional Air when the African carrier suspended flights in mid April 2005, ending its affiliate membership of Oneworld. TWA 's regional carriers , which operated under the Trans World Express brand, became Oneworld affiliate members, as their name changed to AmericanConnection on 2 December 2001, following TWA's acquisition by American Airlines. Three airlines operated under
4988-447: The deal, Hawaiian Airlines will become a Oneworld member and the two airlines will operate a combined frequent flyer program. On 16 September 2024, Starlux Airlines announced that it plans to apply to join the Oneworld alliance by the end of 2025. Besides its full member airlines, Oneworld also includes around 30 "affiliate" members. These are generally regional airlines that are either owned by or have strong commercial links with
5074-638: 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
5160-563: The existing alliances; this idea was repeated in October 2012. In December 2012, Delta Air Lines purchased Singapore Airlines' 49% stake in Virgin Atlantic for £224 million. Virgin America was absorbed into Alaska Airlines , which joined the Oneworld alliance in 2021. On February 14, 2013, it was announced that American Airlines and US Airways would merge, retaining the American Airlines name and would remain in
5246-538: The formation of a central alliance team, the Oneworld Management Company (oMC), in February 2000, to mark the alliance's first anniversary. The oMC was established May 2000 in Vancouver , British Columbia, Canada (see § Headquarters below). It acts as the alliance's central secretariat, with responsibility for driving future growth and the launch of new customer services and benefits. The oMC
SECTION 60
#17327721436175332-413: The franchise. The alliance bid farewell to one of its affiliate member Japan Asia Airways on 31 March 2008, following the airline's consolidation into its parent, Japan Airlines. The second British Airways franchisee, Loganair , left the alliance on 25 October 2008, following the ending of its franchise agreement with the airline. A separate agreement for codesharing on some Loganair services replaced
5418-409: The frequent-flyer program access to priority reservations waitlist and priority airport stand-by. 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
5504-416: The investment along with Stockholm District Court in 12 June 2024 and European Commission on 28 June 2024. As a result of the investment, Scandinavian Airlines left Star Alliance on 31 August 2024 and joined SkyTeam in 1 September 2024. Founding member. Affiliate is a wholly owned subsidiary that operates flights for its parent company (the member) under a different name. Affiliate
5590-628: The merger was completed on 9 December 2013. US Airways left Star Alliance on 30 March 2014, and joined Oneworld as an affiliate member the following day. On 7 March 2013, LATAM Airlines Group chose Oneworld as its alliance and announced that LAN subsidiary LAN Colombia plus TAM Airlines and its subsidiary TAM Paraguay would join Oneworld. LAN Colombia joined the alliance on 1 October 2013. On 31 March 2014, TAM Airlines and US Airways joined Oneworld after leaving Star Alliance on 30 March 2014. On 15 August 2017, Air Berlin filed for insolvency after Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways stopped funding
5676-707: The most highly regarded, having been named Airline of the Year by the Skytrax independent airline quality ratings agency in both 2011 and 2012. The agreement to join was widely reported in the media as a coup for Oneworld, with Qatar Airways the first among the "Big Three" carriers in the Persian Gulf to sign for any global airline alliance. The airline joined the alliance on 30 October 2013. On 14 February 2013, American Airlines began plans to merge with US Airways . Following U.S. Federal Aviation Administration approval,
5762-404: The official launch, the alliance embarked on an extensive employee communications and training programme, involving virtually all of the 220,000 staff employed by the five-member airlines, to ensure they could deliver what the alliance brand promised. At its launch in 1999, Oneworld's member airlines and their affiliates served 648 destinations in 139 countries and carried 181 million passengers with
5848-509: The only European hub with two alliances. During the year, Emirates considered joining Star Alliance, but decided against it. That year the now-defunct BWIA West Indies Airways , which had entered an alliance with United Airlines, considered becoming a member but did not. 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),
5934-632: The partnership's executive body. 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. 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. Asiana Airlines joined
6020-685: 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. It
6106-443: The previous franchise, for British Airways passengers connecting through Aberdeen , Edinburgh and Glasgow . Founding member On routes operated on behalf of Alaska Airlines as Alaska SkyWest only American Eagle flights are operated by Envoy Air , Piedmont Airlines , PSA Airlines , Air Wisconsin , Republic Airways and SkyWest Airlines . Independently operated franchise carriers using
6192-423: The region. The founding members are Air Austral , Air Mauritius , Air Madagascar , Air Seychelles , and Int'Air Îles . On January 18, 2016, the first alliance of low-cost carriers was formed, U-FLY Alliance . The founding members— HK Express , Lucky Air , Urumqi Air , and West Air —are all affiliated with HNA Group , although the alliance is also seeking airlines not within the group. On May 16, 2016,
6278-743: The same time as an affiliate member. On 10 November 2009, Oneworld welcomed Mexicana and its subsidiaries, MexicanaClick and MexicanaLink , after the airline accepted a formal invitation to join the alliance on 9 April 2008. Mexicana and its affiliates added 26 destinations to the alliance map. Mexicana was a former member of Star Alliance, leaving the group in March 2004 when it terminated its codeshare agreement with United Airlines and opted for bilateral agreements with Oneworld members American Airlines and Iberia. On 2 August 2010, Mexicana filed for insolvency proceedings in Mexico and bankruptcy protection in
6364-613: 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. VARIG left the alliance on 31 January 2007, and the two Chinese airlines, Air China and Shanghai Airlines , joined on 12 December. On 1 April 2008, Turkish Airlines joined the alliance after a 15-month integration process beginning in December 2006, becoming its 20th member. EgyptAir , Egypt's national airline and Star Alliance's second African carrier, joined on 11 July 2008. On 27 October 2009, Continental Airlines became
6450-403: 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
6536-564: The word Oneworld as a watermark on its purple orb. On 26 May 2009, Russian airline S7 Airlines was unanimously elected to the alliance. It became a full member on 15 November 2010, adding to Oneworld one of the most extensive networks covering Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). It expanded the Oneworld network to another 54 cities, 35 of them in Russia. The airline's subsidiary Globus Airlines joined Oneworld at
6622-3869: The world's largest alliance of low-cost carriers was formed, Value Alliance . The founding members were Cebu Pacific , Cebgo , Jeju Air , Nok Air , NokScoot , Scoot Airlines , Tigerair , Tigerair Australia , and Vanilla Air . Star Alliance , founded in 1997, currently has 25 members: [REDACTED] Aegean Airlines , 2010 [REDACTED] Air Canada , founder [REDACTED] Air China , 2007 [REDACTED] Air India , 2014 [REDACTED] Air New Zealand , 1999 [REDACTED] All Nippon Airways , 1999 [REDACTED] Asiana Airlines , 2003 [REDACTED] Austrian Airlines , 2000 [REDACTED] Avianca , 2012 [REDACTED] Brussels Airlines , 2009 [REDACTED] Copa Airlines , 2012 [REDACTED] Croatia Airlines , 2004 [REDACTED] EgyptAir , 2008 [REDACTED] Ethiopian Airlines , 2011 [REDACTED] EVA Air , 2013 [REDACTED] LOT Polish Airlines , 2003 [REDACTED] Lufthansa , founder [REDACTED] Shenzhen Airlines , 2012 [REDACTED] Singapore Airlines , 2000 [REDACTED] South African Airways , 2006 [REDACTED] Swiss International Air Lines , 2006 [REDACTED] TAP Air Portugal , 2005 [REDACTED] Thai Airways International , founder [REDACTED] Turkish Airlines , 2008 [REDACTED] United Airlines , founder Former members: Oneworld , founded in 1999, currently has 13 members: [REDACTED] Alaska Airlines , 2021 [REDACTED] American Airlines , founder [REDACTED] British Airways , founder [REDACTED] Cathay Pacific , founder [REDACTED] Finnair , 1999 [REDACTED] Iberia Airlines , 1999 [REDACTED] Japan Airlines , 2007 [REDACTED] Malaysia Airlines , 2013 [REDACTED] Qantas , founder [REDACTED] Qatar Airways , 2013 [REDACTED] Royal Air Maroc , 2020 [REDACTED] Royal Jordanian , 2007 [REDACTED] SriLankan Airlines , 2014 Former members: Future members: SkyTeam , founded in 2000, currently has 19 members: [REDACTED] Aerolíneas Argentinas , 2012 [REDACTED] Aeroméxico , founder [REDACTED] Air Europa , 2007 [REDACTED] Air France , founder [REDACTED] China Airlines , 2011 [REDACTED] China Eastern Airlines , 2011 [REDACTED] Delta Air Lines , founder [REDACTED] Garuda Indonesia , 2014 [REDACTED] ITA Airways , 2021 [REDACTED] Kenya Airways , 2007 [REDACTED] KLM Royal Dutch Airlines , 2004 [REDACTED] Korean Air , founder [REDACTED] Middle East Airlines , 2012 [REDACTED] Saudia , 2012 [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] Scandinavian Airlines , 2024 [REDACTED] TAROM , 2010 [REDACTED] Vietnam Airlines , 2010 [REDACTED] Virgin Atlantic , 2023 [REDACTED] XiamenAir , 2012 Former members: Vanilla Alliance , founded in 2015, currently has 5 members: [REDACTED] Air Austral , founder [REDACTED] Air Madagascar , founder [REDACTED] Air Mauritius , founder [REDACTED] Air Seychelles , founder [REDACTED] Int'Air Îles , founder U-FLY Alliance , founded in 2016, currently has 4 members: [REDACTED] Eastar Jet , 2016 [REDACTED] Lucky Air , founder [REDACTED] Urumqi Air , founder [REDACTED] West Air , founder Former members: Value Alliance , founded in 2016, currently has 5 members: [REDACTED] Cebu Pacific , founder [REDACTED] Cebgo , founder [REDACTED] Jeju Air , founder [REDACTED] Nok Air , founder [REDACTED] Scoot , founder Former members: Oneworld Oneworld (stylised as one world; CRS : *O )
6708-436: Was Continental's first move in a planned merger with United Airlines. Two months later, Brussels Airlines joined the alliance. Brazilian carrier TAM Airlines joined Star Alliance on 13 May 2010, increasing its foothold in South America. Aegean Airlines , Greece's largest airline by number of passengers, joined on 30 June. Shanghai Airlines left the alliance on 31 October 2010 when it merged with China Eastern Airlines ,
6794-534: Was SriLankan Airlines' sponsor through its alliance implementation programme. Its membership implementation was expected to take around 18 months. On 1 May 2014, SriLankan Airlines became a full member of the alliance, making it the first airline in the Indian subcontinent to join any alliance. On 8 October 2012, Qatar Airways became a member-elect of Oneworld. Qatar Airways was one of the fastest growing airlines worldwide—adding 15 destinations in 2012 alone—and one of
6880-645: Was consolidated into Cathay Pacific on 21 October 2020. Dragonair had the biggest network into mainland China for a non-mainland based carrier, with about 400 departures a week. In 2008, the alliance lost another two affiliate members as British Airways continued the strategy of reducing its UK franchises. The first franchisee, GB Airways , exited the alliance on 30 March 2008, following its purchase by EasyJet . British Airways intended to start services from London Heathrow to Faro, Portugal , and Málaga , Spain, and from London Gatwick to Faro, Gibraltar , Ibiza , Málaga, Palma , and Tunis , which were operated under
6966-448: Was first led by managing partner Peter Buecking, previously director of sales and marketing at Cathay Pacific ; followed by John McCulloch, previously the alliance's vice-president for marketing. Bruce Ashby, who previously held roles of CEO of Saudi Arabia 's SAMA Airlines , CEO of India's IndiGo , and executive vice-president for US Airways , became CEO in December 2011. Rob Gurney succeeded Ashby as CEO in October 2016. Reporting to
7052-600: Was formed in the 1930s, when Panair do Brasil and its parent company Pan American World Airways agreed to exchange routes to Latin America . In 1990, the African Joint Air Services (AJAS) Accord between Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia led to the launch of Alliance Air in 1994, with South African Airways, Air Tanzania, Uganda Airlines and the governments of Uganda and Tanzania as shareholders. The first large alliance began in 1989, when Northwest Airlines and KLM agreed to large-scale codesharing. In 1992,
7138-527: Was repositioning itself as a low fares point-to-point carrier, while Oneworld's focus was on the multisector, premium, frequent international travellers' market. Although no longer a Oneworld member, Aer Lingus maintained frequent-flyer programme partnerships with some of the alliance members and continued to participate in the alliance's Global Explorer round-the-world fare product. In February 2012, Malév suspended all services indefinitely, citing financial difficulties. Its participation in Oneworld ended when
7224-412: Was the first Star Alliance member to paint its aircraft in the current Star Alliance livery. 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
7310-843: Was the largest with 23% of total scheduled traffic in revenue passenger kilometres (RPKs)/revenue passenger miles (RPMs) , followed by SkyTeam with 20.4% and Oneworld with 17.8%, leaving 38.8% for others. In 2019, by number of passengers, Star Alliance was leading 762 million, followed by SkyTeam (630 million) and Oneworld (535 million). Benefits can consist of an extended network, often realised through codeshare agreements . Many alliances started as only codeshare networks. Cost reductions come from sharing operation facilities (e.g. catering or computer systems), operation staff (e.g. ground handling personnel, at check-in and boarding desks), investments and purchases (e.g. in order to negotiate extra volume discounts). Traveler benefits can include lower prices due to lowered operational costs for
7396-457: Was therefore released from its commitment to join Oneworld; it was taken over by Lufthansa in 2005 and joined Star Alliance in 2006. The mid-2000s saw Oneworld undertake one of the biggest expansions in its history. Hungarian flag carrier Malév signed an MOU in May 2005 as a precursor to a formal invitation to join, extended in November 2005. On 17 October 2005, the alliance signed as
#616383