Air India joins Star Alliance
Star Alliance welcomed (11-Jul-2014) Air India as a full member on 11-Jul-2014, opening the national carrier's domestic network in the fifth largest aviation market to Star Alliance customers worldwide. Star Alliance CEO Mark Schwab commented, "This is an important day for us. We have said for many years that we needed a strong home carrier in the Indian market and by welcoming Air India to our Star Alliance family, we have achieved this goal...We know that the 'new' Air India is looking forward to providing the Star Alliance customer benefits to many more travellers." Air India chairman and MD Rohit Nandan said, "Air India is proud to be a member of this prestigious airline Alliance. From today, we open up a completely different world for our passengers, who can now travel to over 1,300 destinations right across the network and enjoy world-class service, better connectivity and seamless travel wherever they go." Details include:
- Network: Air India adds a total of 400 daily services and over 40 new destinations in India to the Alliance network. The biggest growth will come from its home market which has up to now been served by 13 Star Alliance members, operating to 10 destinations and holding a 13% market share. As a result of the addition of Air India, the Alliance's market share in India has risen to 30%. In total the Star Alliance network counts 27 member airlines, offering more than 18,500 daily services covering 1,316 destinations in 192 countries;
- Check-in: Air India now offers through check-in to the final destination for connecting flights operated by any Star Alliance member airline for both passengers and baggage;
- FFP: Reciprocal frequent flyer benefits between Air India's Flying Returns programme and those of the existing member carriers are now activated. These provide customers with more options in earning and redeeming, upgrading and obtaining Star Alliance Gold status. Flying Returns members who hold Maharajah Club or Golden Edge Club status now automatically also have Star Alliance Gold status, giving them access to more than 1,000 lounges across the global network;
- Alliance fares: As part of its Star Alliance membership, Air India now participates in several of the Alliance's fare products and business solutions. For the business travel sector, Air India flights can be included in Star Alliance Corporate Plus agreements and for the Conventions and Meetings market, Air India will now offer Star Alliance Conventions Plus and Meetings Plus. Air India also boosts the attractiveness of the Alliance's most popular fare product, the Star Alliance Round the World Fare (RTW) and some of Air India's flights will also be included in the Star Alliance Circle Pacific Fare. Air India is also now included in the Asia Airpass alongside all other Asia based Star Alliance member airlines. [more - original PR]