Air India has scripted a new chapter in India’s aviation history by becoming the first airline from India to be inducted into the world’s leading global airline consortium, Star Alliance. On June 23, 2014, the Star Alliance Central Executive Board voted in favour of Air India to become its 27th member airline. Air India will start offering the alliance benefits and privileges to customers from July 11, 2014.
Air India operates to a network of 50 destinations in India and 33 international, covering 23 countries. Presently, with a total of 387 daily departures which include 289 domestic and 89 international, out of its primary hub Delhi and secondary hub Mumbai, Air India offers the best of connectivity and frequency. A mixed fleet of 95 aircraft, including the state-of-the art Dreamliner B787, ensure a comfortable flying experience.
The Star Alliance network was established in 1997 as the first truly global airline alliance to offer worldwide reach, recognition and seamless service to the international traveller. The member airlines are: Adria Airways, Aegean Airlines, Air Canada, Air China, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, Avianca, Brussels Airlines, Copa Airlines, Croatia Airlines, EGYPTAIR, Ethiopian Airlines, EVA Air, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, SWISS, TAP Portugal, Turkish Airlines, THAI and United. Overall, the Star Alliance network presently offers more than 18,000 daily flights to 1,269 airports in 193 countries.
Some of the benefits and privileges that will be available to passengers flying Air India from July 11, 2014:
A seamless travel experience across a vast global network, besides premium customer recognition and benefits across member airlines.
By coordinating arrival and departure times, Star Alliance member airlines have optimized connections within the network and considerably reduced waiting times for passengers.Through check-in, joint ticketing, check-in and baggage facilities, collocation and connection teams at key airports will all help offer a smooth travel experience.
Reciprocal frequent flyer benefits between Air India’s Flying Returns programme and those of the existing member carriers. This will provide passengers with more options in earning and redeeming, upgrading and obtaining Star Alliance Gold status.
Passengers holding Star Alliance Gold status have access to more than 1000 lounges across the global network, can check-in at specially designated counters, have an increased baggage allowance and receive priority boarding and baggage delivery. All these benefits will also be provided by Air India.
Besides this, member airlines of Star Alliance will now have an improved access to a region which includes the world’s fifth largest aviation market.
Membership to the Alliance will bring Air India value in terms of revenue generation and cost reduction. Member carriers work on joint purchasing initiatives like fuel and fleet coordination and collocation of information technology projects. Air India will have the benefit of adopting the global best practices, branding and global visibility.
We wish our passengers a pleasant flying experience on Air India, a member of Star Alliance.