Star Alliance™

More than a decade of

connecting Earth
SAS Scandinavian Airlines is a proud founding member of Star
Alliance™, which was launched on May 14, 1997, along with Air
Canada, Lufthansa, Thai Airways and United Airlines. Over the
past 10 years, Star Alliance™ has grown to become the largest
and most awarded airline alliance in the world.

At present, 21 of the world’s finest airlines make up the Star

Alliance™ family, along with a further three regional members.
Combined, Star Alliance™ carries over 500 million passengers
annually – well over a quarter of the world’s total air travel – to
916 airports in 160 countries across the world. Every five
seconds, somewhere on the globe, a Star Alliance™ member
carrier airplane takes off or lands – 17,000 times a day, every day.

SAS and Star Alliance™
Star Alliance™ is the cornerstone of the SAS Group’s global
partner and network strategy, offering customers and travelers
reliable, seamless travel products and services worldwide.
Scandinavian Airlines was part of forming the alliance and was
a founding member in 1997. At present, the SAS Group owns or
partly owns three Star Alliance™ members: Scandinavian
Airlines, bmi and regional member Blue1. bmi British Midland
joined Star Alliance™ in 2000, followed by Spanair in 2003.
Blue1 became the first regional member in 2004, of which there
are now three.

Star Alliance™ members

SAS was a founding member of Star Alliance™ in 1997 with
Air Canada, Lufthansa, Thai Airways and United Airlines. Varig
joined later the same year.
• In 1999, Ansett Australia, Air Nippon Airways and Air New
Zealand became members.
• In 2000, Singapore Airlines, bmi British Midland, Mexicana
and Austrian Airlines joined.
• In 2001, Ansett files for bankrupcy and exits Star Alliance™.
• In 2003, Asiana Airlines, LOT Polish Airlines and Spanair join.
• In 2004, US Airways and the three regional members – Blue1,
Adria Airways and Croatia Airways – become members, while
Mexicana leaves the alliance.
• In 2005, TAP Portugal joins Star Alliance™, followed by South
African Airlines and SWISS International Air Lines in 2006.
• In 2007, Varig exits the alliance, while Air China and Shanghai
Airlines join.
• In 2008, Turkish Airlines and Egypt Air became members of Star
Alliance™. Star Alliance™ in brief
• In 2009, Continental Airlines and Brussels Airlines will join Star Scandinavian Airlines was a founding member of
Alliance™. Star Alliance™ in 1997.
• Confirmed future members are: Aegean Airlines, Air India, and
TAM Airlines. • Founding members: SAS, Air Canada, Lufthansa,
Thai Airways and United Airlines.
Convenient and rewarding global travel • Star Alliance™ is the oldest, largest and most awarded
SAS EuroBonus members can earn and redeem points on all airline alliance in the world.
21 Star Alliance™ airlines, as well as enjoy the same kind of • SAS Group owns or partly owns three Star Alliance™
frequent flyer privileges and benefits when traveling with other members: Scandinavian Airlines, bmi British
Star Alliance™ airlines as they would when traveling with SAS Midland and regional member Blue1.
Scandinavian Airlines. • SAS EuroBonus member can earn and redeem points
on all Star Alliance™ airlines.