Star Alliance -another Choice To Los

[Rinrada]

Star A. recently signed up with Swiss Air (really exciting ) and S.A Airways (who goes there?)but now it seems that it has reached a deal with Air China (not... China Air -unfortunately)

Considering their price structure and routes programmes this looks good especially as hopefully one day they might by pass Bangkok and go straight to Chiang Mai and then all points of interest eastwards .

Def must check out "Shangers" before it goes too far....

So for S.A members what do you recon?

Personally I would like to see the likes of Emirates and Etti join up .......about 50 new airbuses 480 between them and surely the old tic price must reflect it.Would certainly give TG a run for the dosh.

So........

Beijing, China – May 22nd, 2006 -

Air China Limited ("Air China") and the Star Alliance, the airline network for Earth™, today signed a Memorandum of Understanding confirming an invitation for Air China to join the alliance.

Commenting on today's event, Jaan Albrecht, Star Alliance CEO said: "With Air China having chosen to join Star Alliance, we have now taken the decisive step in implementing our strategy for the Chinese market. This decision truly lays the foundation for the future pace in Chinese Aviation."

Attending the event was the Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, Dr. Angela Merkel, who is on her first visit to China; German Federal Minister for Transport, Building and Urban Affairs, Wolfgang Tiefensee; Minister Yang Yuanyuan of the General Administration of Civil Aviation of China.

Mr. Li Jiaxiang, Chairman of China National Aviation Holding Company, Mr. Ma Xulun, President of Air China Limited, Mr. Jaan Albrecht, CEO of Star Alliance and several CEOs of the Star Alliance member carriers were also present at the ceremony together with 150 distinguished guests.

Mr. Li Jiaxiang, Chairman of China National Aviation Holding Company and Chairman of Air China Limited, said in his speech: "With economic globalisation and open skies, the competition in the airline industry will become more and more severe. No one airline can create a global network by itself. In order to survive and develop, airlines have to cooperate with other partners in various forms including multilateral alliance cooperation."

"Cooperation between Air China and Star Alliance will be mutually beneficial. Currently, China is one of the fastest growing civil aviation markets with great potential. Through cooperation with Air China, Star Alliance will connect its international route network with China through Air China's extensive domestic network and extend its global route network. The travelling public will have access to more convenient services, savings made and efficiency improved," Mr. Li said.

The Star Alliance network recently also extended an invitation to Shanghai Airlines to join the alliance. ...more.....

http://www.staralliance.com/star_alliance/...frame/main.html

[Phil Conners]

Sorry to burst your bubble. Staralliance is just a marketing ploy. There are no actual benefits to the customers.

Edited May 30, 2006 by madsere

[britmaveric]

Sorry to burst your bubble. Staralliance is just a marketing ploy. There are no actual benefits to the customers.

More options for flights though....that is a certainty.

[lomatopo]

Sorry to burst your bubble. Staralliance is just a marketing ploy. There are no actual benefits to the customers.

I believe it is you who is inhabiting a bubble, at least when it comes to understanding the benefits to customers of this announcement. And I certainly don't want to burst your bubble, but for others here I'll list just a few of the benefits to customers:

1.) Elite Qualifying Miles

2.) Redeemable Miles

3.) Award Travel

4.) Lounge Access

5.) Extra Baggage/Higher Baggage Thresholds

6.) E-ticketing/Interlining/Checked Baggage through to end-points

7.) Regional Airpasses

8.) Priority check-in/boarding

9.) Priority Waitlistling

10.) Upgrades

11.) Additional Routings for Star Alliance RTW and Circle Pacific fares

12.) Codeshared flights

13.) Priority Baggage Handling

And probably a few more that I can't think of off the top of my head. Anyway, all the things I've enjoyed as a Star Alliance Frequent Flyer (1K on UA; Senator on LH).

Note that this annoucement only represents a MoU (Memorandum of Understanding), and that in the case of South African Airways (millions of people fly to/from there, obviously), formal entry into the Star Alliance took ~ 18 months. In the case of Air China I think we can expect formal official entry well ahead of the 2008 Olympics?

Emirates is mentioned frequently as a potential Star Alliance member but they may not be happy being one of many fish in a big pond?

Edited May 30, 2006 by lomatopo

[lomatopo]

Duplicate post contents deleted.

Edited May 30, 2006 by lomatopo

[Phil Conners]

The frequent flier program is another

[Rinrada]

Just confirmed K.Wifie on TG for next week where we used one of her upgrades to get her a Business Class r/t (upstairs Seat 17K) and because of a slight hitch with the tickets they have also included the Bangers/Chiang Mai leg on upgrade as well....Thats one advantage....

Also we have done a bit of a calc on our next visit (September)and with a combination of her Birthday award (half miles to wherever)and both of our accumulated miles/upgrades/nudge nudge etc... and a bit of luck we should be doing the Auz round trip(incl.LOS) for FREE

Wish they would hurry up and open Su-wanna ...need to check out the NEW Thai ROCI Lounge