Star Alliance, the airline network for earth, today welcomed South African Airways’ decision to pursue membership in Star Alliance.
“We are always interested in adding quality airlines to our alliance, particularly those which already have long-standing and successful relationships with our member carriers,” said Jaan Albrecht, CEO, Star Alliance. “South African Airways is the most prestigious carrier in Africa and will significantly enhance our network across the continent and beyond. It’s good for customers, good for South African Airways and it’s good for Star Alliance.”
Albrecht said Star Alliance member carriers will be looking forward to making an official announcement at the next Star Alliance Chief Executive Board meeting in June.
Star Alliance was established in 1997 as the first truly global airline alliance to offer customers global reach and a smooth travel experience. The members are Air Canada, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, bmi, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Mexicana Airlines, Scandinavian Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Spanair, Thai Airways International, United, and VARIG Brazilian Airlines. US Airways is scheduled to join the alliance in 2004.
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Good news for Star Alliance – yet another airline! Star now have a quality African airline to join their alliance – this will significantly increase the number of worldwide destinations that Star will serve.
By: greekdude1 - 9th March 2004 at 17:32
Originally posted by Bhoy
gd, Varig weren’t original members, but as far as I can recall, they were the first additions.
Varig was announced as a member of the alliance just a few months after the first 5 were. By the time the alliance ‘commenced operations,’ however, they were a member. I consider that one of the originals, and I think they are referred to as such.
By: greekdude1 - 9th March 2004 at 17:29
Originally posted by Florida Dude
…but you can be the worlds biggest corporation selling/ doing whatever, but that does not necessarily make it the best at what it does.
In most cases, yes, I agree. But in the case of an alliance, I completely disagree. The bigger an alliance gives the passenger more options on a particular route when you consider stopovers, and of course, more destinations. I think it’s safe to say I can fly anywhere I want on Star, and not have to fly an airline where I do not get mileage, and more importantly, my benefits. If you do not enjoy or have never gotten to enjoy said benefits, you do not know what I’m talking about. Again, that’s for another, much longer thread.
Originally posted by Florida Dude
I like OneWorld alot because of their fresh look
Define fresh look. Do Star and Skyteam not have this fresh look?
Originally posted by Florida Dude
ALL of the OneWorld memebers are their native countries flag carriers, something that Star or Skyteam cannot claim.
Yeah, so? Out of all the airlines in Star, I can think of 3 airlines that aren’t their nations’ flag carriers. Those would be Bmi, ANA, and Asiana. What do JAL and Korean do that ANA and Asiana don’t, respectively? As for Bmi, sure they are not remotely as big as BA, but they don’t have to be. Air Canada, and United already have very strong N. American routes to Heathrow. By that token, Bmi just has to serve the feeder routes for those guys, plus the other members out of LHR. It does that admirably. At this point you might be thinking, ‘what about United?’ American is no more the flag carrier of the United States than United is.
By: Florida Dude - 9th March 2004 at 17:08
No one can say that Star has not done a hell of alot to be the biggest, but you can be the worlds biggest corporation selling/ doing whatever, but that does not necessarily make it the best at what it does.
I like OneWorld alot because of their fresh look and of course their members, ALL of the OneWorld memebers are their native countries flag carriers, something that Star or Skyteam cannot claim.
FD
By: Bhoy - 9th March 2004 at 17:00
gd, Varig weren’t original members, but as far as I can recall, they were the first additions.
However, I kinda liked that livery, as at least you knew who else was in the alliance, unlike with the boring all white livery now. It really needs something to break the length up for the eye, especially on the LH 346’s.
By: greekdude1 - 9th March 2004 at 16:57
Yeah, well as ‘ancient’ as it may seem, those original members (United, Air Canada, Lufthansa, Varig, Thai, and SAS) are the backbone of the alliance. The additional airlines that have been added since then just add to the strength, versatility, and QUALITY of the alliance.
By: bmi-star - 9th March 2004 at 16:50
OK sorry bit OTT there, but with a number still joining the alliance, the 1st Star livery with the first members looks ancient now, as there are so many extra airlines to it now
By: greekdude1 - 9th March 2004 at 16:32
Originally posted by bmi-star
I think the old Star alliance was a good idea, but as many airlines join Star, it would be out of date in months!
As long as they are all working together, how would “it be out of date in months?”
By: bmi-star - 9th March 2004 at 16:12
I think the old Star alliance was a good idea, but as many airlines join Star, it would be out of date in months!
By: greekdude1 - 9th March 2004 at 16:00
There was a similar discussion about a year ago. Oneworld can claim Quality over Quantity, and that’s great. I won’t dispute that, nor say that either alliance in rubbish in their own right. Star has both, however. You want facts….where do I start? I’ll write a thread a mile long telling you the many ‘quality’ aspects of Star. So a few of the airlines have painted one or 2 planes in the supposed boring white livery, big whoop! If they were all required to paint every single aircraft in that livery, only then would it be a problem.
P.S. Star is the best alliance.
By: bmi-star - 9th March 2004 at 13:33
Virgin Blue would be good. You could fly with Singapre to Oz, then fly in OZ on Blue!
By: dartie - 9th March 2004 at 13:06
Originally posted by bmi-star
Quality and Quantity, Star has that.
YEs i agree with you there lol, this is good news finally a some more african connections now they should look at the australiasian market thats with Virgin Blue will enter the alliance, do you think the virgin group will enter and alliance, i mean they pretty much have their own alliance but something like star would they take it up?!
By: bmi-star - 9th March 2004 at 12:17
OK i’m not saying that ONe and Sky are rubbish. In fact i’ve flown with all 3 of the Alliances. But Star has the widest chice of Airlines, which in my eyes are better, as i’m in the proces of saving up for a Star RTW Ticket and i have a much wider of countries to visit that One or sky;)
By: bmi-star - 9th March 2004 at 12:05
Quality and Quantity, Star has that.
By: Mark L - 9th March 2004 at 10:33
Quality not Quantity
By: Bmused55 - 9th March 2004 at 09:04
Originally posted by bmi-star
This shows that Star is the best alliance in the world. One and Sky are rubbish compared to Star
Oh shut up!
At least try and base your comments on facts!
Oneworld has a strong presence. As does skyteam. They would not so if they were “rubbish”
At least Oneworld and Skyteam members are not required to paint a few of their aicraft in a horribly boring or badly misfitting livery!
By: bmi-star - 9th March 2004 at 08:50
This shows that Star is the best alliance in the world. One and Sky are rubbish compared to Star
By: greekdude1 - 9th March 2004 at 07:08
That’s great and all, but I’m still hoping for Virgin Atlantic to join Star, or Emirates perhaps.
By: KabirT - 9th March 2004 at 01:08
That is great news….. a member from Africa for Star will immensly add to there operations.
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March 9, 2004 at 12:06 am