In 1997, a group of five world-class airlines got together to create something never seen before - an alliance that brought together networks, lounge access, check-in services, ticketing and dozens of other services to improve the travel experience for customers and efficiencies for the carriers. They called it the Star Alliance network.
By 2006 the alliance had grown to 17 members and three smaller, regional members with two other international carriers in China scheduled to join soon.
Star Alliance Gold Benefits
- Priority Reservations Waitlisting - when there aren't any seats left on your preferred flight, gives you priority should a seat become available.
- Priority Airport Standby - gives you top priority when standing-by a flight at the airport.
- Priority Airport Check-in - allows you to check-in at the Business and/or First Class counter
- Priority Baggage Handling - like you, your bags get priority treatment and are among the first to be unloaded.
- Extra Baggage Allowance - an additional 20kg (44 pounds) or one additional piece of luggage which means you can check in three bags instead of two.
- Priority Boarding - enjoy the freedom of boarding at your convenience along with First and Business Class passengers.
Airport Lounge Access - available worldwide for you and a friend when you travel with any Star Alliance member airline, regardless of your class of travel.
Star Alliance Silver Benefits
- Priority Reservations Waitlisting - when there aren't any seats left on your preferred flight, gives you priority should a seat become available.
- Priority Airport Standby - gives you top priority when standing by for a flight at the airport.
The United name first appeared in 1929 when Boeing Airplane and Transport Corporation, the holding company that owned and operated Boeing Airplane Company, Boeing Air Transport, Pacific Air Transport, changed its name to United Aircraft and Transport Corporation. United Air Lines was the name originally adopted for the transport divisions. United, a founding member of the Star Alliance network, offers flights to 210 U.S domestic and international. United also offers a network of connecting flights through its marketing arrangements with six regional U.S. carriers operating under the brand name of United Express. United, Ted, and United Express offer more than 3,600 scheduled daily departures.
Thai Airways International is Southeast Asia's leading airline, operating out of Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport, a world class aviation hub of Asia. Its founding partnership with SAS in 1959 was one of the earliest airline alliances ever signed. Passenger volumes have increased tremendously since the company's first flight on May 1, 1960. More than 18 million passengers have experienced its Royal Orchid Service across 73 destinations in 35 countries (figures excluding Bangkok and Thailand), including service to Europe, the Middle East, the Indian sub-continent, Australasia, the United States and Africa.
Facts & Figures: Number of aircraft: 460 Aircraft types: A319, A320, B737-300, B737-500, B747-400, B757-200, B767-300, B777-200 Hubs: Chicago, Denver, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Washington D.C. Number of employees: 56,861 Passengers per year: 69.3 million 2005 Sales revenue: US$19.3 billion Frequent flyer programme: Mileage Plus (1K, Premier Executive, Premier) Number of destinations: 210 Network strengths: North America, Europe, Asia, Latin America, Middle East
From its humble beginnings in 1939 as All-American Airways - delivering airmail to Western Pennsylvania and the Ohio Valley - US Airways has grown to become one of America's great success stories. All-American Airways quickly grew into Allegheny Airlines, US Air and finally US Airways through buyouts and mergers. In September 2005, US Airways merged with America West Airlines to become the fifth largest airline in the United States. Combining the East Coast prominence of US Airways and West Coast strengths of America West Airlines, the new US Airways operates more than 1,500 mainline flights per day. A network of 10 regional carriers, including two wholly-owned subsidiaries, form US Airways Express and US Airways Shuttle to provide an additional 2,340 daily departures.
Facts & Figures: Number of aircraft: 411 Aircraft types: Boeing 767-200ER, Boeing 757-200, Boeing 737-400, Boeing 737-300, Airbus A330-300, Airbus A321,Airbus A320, Airbus A319 Hubs: Charlotte, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Las Vegas Number of employees: 35,158 Passengers per year: 70 million Sales revenue: US$ 7.1 billion Frequent flyer programme: Dividend Miles Number of destinations: 225
TAP Portugal is the leading Portuguese airline, established in1945. In 2005, the Company celebrated its 60th anniversary and became a member of the Star Alliance network on March 14th. Its hub in Lisbon is a key European gateway at the crossroads of Africa, North and South America, where TAP stands out as the leading European carrier operating to Brazil. The Company's current network comprises 46 destinations in 27 countries worldwide. TAP is currently operating 48 weekly frequencies to Brazil, with direct daily flights departing Lisbon to Rio de Janeiro, Recife, Salvador and Fortaleza plus eight weekly services to Sao Paulo and six weekly flights to Natal. Adding to these, in 2006 TAP also introduced direct operations from Oporto to Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, with three weekly frequencies each.
Facts & Figures: Number of aircraft: 48 Hubs: Lisbon Main operations bases: Lisbon & Oporto Number of employees: 6,664 Passengers per year: 6.5 million Sales revenue: US$ 1.65 billion Frequent flyer programme: Victoria Number of destinations: 46 Network strengths: Portugal, Brazil and Africa
Founded in 2002 as the successor to Crossair, SWISS became a member of the Star Alliance network in April 2006. SWISS operates a fleet of technically advanced aircraft with which it carries some 10 million passengers annually. Airbus A330s and A340s are used on intercontinental routes, with the Airbus A320 family and Avro RJ aircraft handling short-haul and regional flights. The effort involved in striving for quality really pays off when an airline is recognised by its passengers and the industry it is part of. SWISS has collected many awards in various categories since its inception, testimony to its commitment to making air travel a pleasurable experience for everyone who boards a SWISS aircraft.
Facts & Figures: Number of aircraft: 70 Hubs: Zurich International Airports: Geneva, Basel Domestic Airport: Lugano Number of employees: 6500 Passengers per year: 10 million Sales revenue: US$ 3.08 billion (year 2005) Frequent flyer programme: Miles & More Number of destinations: 69
Spanair was born, inspired by the philosophy of providing the best quality in air transport service to all its passengers. At present, after 17 years, the company is very proud to have consolidated as the first alternative in Spanish air transport. Punctuality is a priority for Spanair, as well as for its passengers. For this reason, since February 2001, it is the only Spanish airline offering a punctuality guarantee commitment on its domestic routes, in line with the idea of ensuring the highest quality service to all its passengers both in-flight and on the ground.
Facts & Figures: Number of aircraft: 64 Aircraft types: Boeing 717, MD 87, MD 82/83, Airbus 320, Airbus 321 Hubs: Madrid, Barcelona Number of employees: 3,250 Passengers per year: 9.46 million Sales revenue: US$ 1.2 billion Frequent flyer programme: Spanair Plus Number of destinations: 29 Network strengths: Spain and Western Europe
South African Airways (SAA) is the leading airline on the African continent and consistently receives annual awards from numerous top-rated publications and international organisations for Best African Airline. The airline is 71 years old and was one of the first national airlines in the world. SAA is owned by Transnet, the South African government transport body. The airline's almost 11,000 employees hold a 2% stake in the company. The airline carries more than 7 million passengers a year on a route network that serves 34 cities in 26 countries.According to Skytrax, the British experts on airline rankings, SAA features as one of the top ten international airlines with a product offering and service standards in keeping with international best practice. SAA's Business Class seat was also ranked as the world's best lie-flat seat on an aircraft in 2004.
Facts & Figures: Number of aircraft: 58 Hubs: Johannesburg Number of employees: 11,000 Passengers per year: 7.67 million Sales revenue: US$ 2.15 billion Number of destinations: 34
Singapore Airlines' history can be traced back to May 1947, when Malayan Airways operated its first commercial flight linking Singapore with Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh and Penang. The airline was later renamed Malaysian Airways Limited in1963 and Malaysia-Singapore Airlines in 1966, which then split in 1972, creating Malaysian Airline System (since renamed Malaysia Airlines) and Singapore Airlines. Over a period of more than half a century, Singapore Airlines has earned a reputation as an innovative market leader, combining a quality product with excellent service.
Facts & Figures: Number of aircraft: 90 Aircraft types: B747-400, B777-300, B777-300ER, B777-200, B777-200ER, A340-300E Hubs: Singapore Changi Number of employees: 13,729 Passengers per year: 17 million Total revenue: U$12.703 billion Frequent flyer programme: KrisFlyer Number of destinations: 65 Network strengths: Americas, Europe, South West Pacific, East Asia, West Asia and Africa
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