Launched on May 14, 1997, the Star Alliance was the first, and remains the largest, airline alliance in the world. While code sharing was already widespread, Star represented an unprecedented level of cooperation among its partner airlines:

• Frequent flyer program integration allows airline miles to be earned and redeemed on all members of the Alliance at the same level
• Premium customers of the alliance have access to all members' airport lounges.
• Flight schedules are coordinated to permit almost seamless travel which may include several different carriers within the alliance, on a single ticket
• Special fares for round-the-world and similar travel on alliance members offer discounts over booking individual itineraries
• Customer service processes are harmonized in an effort to promote a consistent experience
• Cooperation in development of a common information technology platform

This tight cooperation led to suspicions of anti-competitive behavior, and the alliance was investigated by the European Union as a virtual merger of its members. Indeed, some speculated that if government regulations were relaxed, the members would merge into a single corporation, although no evidence has yet materialized. The creation of the Star Alliance sparked the formation of rivals, notably the Oneworld and Skyteam Alliance.

Members

Starting in 2004, Star Alliance has divided its member airlines into full members and regional members, who must be sponsored by a full member.

Full members

• Air Canada
• Air New Zealand
• All Nippon Airways
• Asiana Airlines
• Austrian Airlines
• BMI British Midland
• LOT Polish Airlines
• Lufthansa
• Scandinavian Airlines System
• Singapore Airlines
• Spanair
• TAP Portugal
• Thai Airways International
• United Airlines
• US Airways
• Varig

Regional members

• Adria Airways — sponsored by Lufthansa
• Blue1 — sponsored by SAS
• Croatia Airlines — sponsored by Lufthansa

Former members

• Ansett Australia — liquidated in 2001
• Mexicana — left alliance in 2004 after deciding not to renew a codeshare alliance with United Airlines and opted to codeshare with American Airlines.

Future members

• South African Airways — approved on June 5, 2004
• Swiss after being overtaken by Lufthansa

Membership History

• 1997 - Founded by Air Canada, United Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines System and Thai Airways. Varig joins the alliance.
• 1999 - Ansett Australia, All Nippon Airways, and Air New Zealand become members.
• 2000 - Singapore Airlines, British Midland, Mexicana, and the Austrian Airlines group, comprising Austrian Airlines, Tyrolean, and Lauda Air join the alliance.
• 2001 - Ansett Australia goes bankrupt.
• 2003 - Asiana Airlines, LOT Polish Airlines, and Spanair join.
• 2004 - US Airways joins the alliance. Mexicana's membership ends. Adria Airways, Croatia Airlines, Blue1 join the alliance's regional network.
• March 14, 2005 - TAP Air Portugal joins the alliance.

External link

• Star Alliance - Official site