Star Alliance Is China Shopping
I have been a United Airlines Mileage Plus member since I kicked off my legal career with Chicago (United's hub) mega law firm, Kirkland & Ellis, more than 20 years ago and I am addicted to miles.
So it is with great joy that I pass on today's news that Shanghai Airlines will be joining the Star Alliance mileage network. is currently in talks with the Star Alliance regarding joining as well. The Star Alliance presently consists of United Airlines, Air Canada, Air New Zealand, All Nippon Airways (ANA), Asiana Airlines, Austrian Airlines, bmi, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines (SAS), Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, Spanair, Swiss International Air Lines, TAP Portugal, Thai Airways International, US Airways (America West), and Varig (Brazil). Rumours have been "flying" about Air India, and Qatar Airways also possibly joining the Star Alliance fold.
According to a recent Wall Street Journal article, the "three main global airline alliances are scrambling to line up members in China, where there has been a boom in air travel." The SkyTeam alliance (Air France, Aeroflot, KLM, AeroMexico, Continental Airlines, Delta Airlines, Czech Airlines, Northwest Airlines (NWA), and Korean Air), already has inked a deal to have China Southern in its fold, while the Oneworld Alliance (American Airlines, , Iberia, LAN (Chile), Qantas, Finnair, and ) has also been wooing Air China, in which Cathay Pacific has a 10% stake. The WSJ says that if Air China joins the Star Alliance, China Eastern Airlines would likely become Oneworld's new target.
Comments (1)
Read through and enter the discussion by using the form at the endDezza - May 14, 2006 3:45 AM
great news! thanks for posting that, i was wondering when the big air mile groups would sign up the chinese airlines.
unfortunately, i fly china southern a lot (not by choice, they just have a lot of flights to where i go) it's too bad they're not signing with star alliance, which i'm a member of..