Star Alliance

Founded the May 14th 1997, Star Alliance is the first true Alliance of airline companies to be born. It remains most important today.

Members

Since 2004, the companies members of alliance Star Alliance are gathered in two categories: full members and regional members. The latter must be sponsored by a full member.

Full members

Scandinavian Airlines
Singapore Airlines
South African Airways
Spanair
International Swiss Air Lines
TAP Air Portugal
Thai International Airways
United Airlines
US Airways

Regional members

Adria Airways (regional company Slovenien - godfather: Lufthansa)
Blue1 (Finnish regional company - godfather: SAS)
Croatia Airlines (regional company Croatian - godfather: Lufthansa)

Future members

Former members

Ansett Australia - liquidated in 2001.
Mexicana - leaves the Star Alliance in 2004.
Varig - leaves the Star Alliance in 2007 following economic difficulties.

History of the members

1997 : Alliance is created by Air Canada, United, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines and Thai. Varig joined it.
1999 : Ansett, ANNA and Air New Zealand joins alliance.
2000 : Singapore Airlines, bmi, Mexicana, and groups it Austrian Airlines (compound of Austrian Airlines, Tyrolean and Lauda Air) join alliance.
2001 : Ansett goes bankrupt.
2003 : Asiana Airlines, BATCH Polish Airlines and Spanair join alliance.
2004 : US Airways joined alliance, Mexicana leaves it. Three regional companies join it: Adria, Blue1 and Croatia.
2005 : TAP Air Portugal joined it.
2006 : International Swiss Air Lines and South African Airways join it.

External bond

Official site Star Alliance
Official site Star Alliance for Japan
Official site Star Alliance for South Korea

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