Airline Alliances

What is an Airline Alliance?

An airline alliance is an agreement between two or more airlines to cooperate on a substantial level for mutual benefit for both the airlines as well as their passengers. The current 3 largest passenger airline alliances are the Star Alliance, SkyTeam and Oneworld. The Star Alliance was found in 1997, Oneworld in 1999 and Skyteam in 2000. Originally the alliances were found by the big leading airlines and lateron the alliances became bigger as more members joined. Some alliances can be more beneficial for frequent flyers then other depending on the most frequent flying destinations. For example Skyteam is very strong in Asia/China, whereas Star Alliance is very strong in Central and Eastern Europe. Having said this, it makes sense to study the route network and airline partners of an alliance, before joining one of their frequent flyer programs. Skyteam and Star Alliance are the biggest alliances with Oneworld on the 3rd place, however quantity is not qualtity...

The main Airline Alliances in the world

Alliances also form between cargo airlines, such as that of WOW Alliance, SkyTeam Cargo and ANA/UPS Alliance, but they are less interesting for regular customers and frequent flyers so we will not go into it.

Airline Alliance: Skyteam Alliance

Skyteam

The Skyteam was found in 2000 and the last main airlines alliance founded after Oneworld and Star Alliance. But last is not least as Skyteam in one the leading airline alliance. With their slogan "Caring more about you... " the Skyteam and its dedicated members put this into reality every single day.

Star Alliance Facts:
- main frequent flyer program: Flying Blue
- founding partners: Air France and Delta
- 17 air carriers as of 2012. 2nd biggest Alliance.

Main Star Alliance Airlines
- KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
- Air France
- Korean Air
- Delta ( Delta Airlines )
- China Southern Airlines / China Eastern

Read more about the Skyteam Alliance

Airline Alliance: Star Alliance

Star Alliance

Star Alliance is the world biggest Alliance in terms of numbers. Found by the strong German air carrier Lufthansa is you prefer German order, design, punctiality and service this is the alliance to choose from. With lost of cheap flights in Europe and beyond a good choice, but compare wisely.

Star Alliance Facts:
- main frequent flyer program: Miles & More
- founding partners: Lufthansa & United Airlines
- 27 air carriers as of 2012. The biggest Alliance.

Main Star Alliance Airlines
- Lufthansa
- Thai Airways
- United Airlines
- Swiss
- Air Canada

Read more about the Star Alliance

Airline Alliance: Oneworld Alliance

Oneworld

Oneworld is the 3rd biggest airline alliance and the smallest from the three. So or they missed the boat, or they prefer quality over quantity and choose their partners wisely. As a main airlines there is British Airways, American Airlines and Cathay Pacific for Asia. So all continents are covered. Wanna go British? Go Oneworld!

Oneworld Alliance Facts:
- main frequent flyer program: Executive Club
- founding partners: British Airways, American Airlines and Cathay Pacific
- 12 air carriers as of 2012. 3rd biggest Alliance.

Main Oneworld Alliance Airlines
- British Airways
- Qantas
- SAS Scandinavian Airlines
- American Airlines
- Canadian Airlines

Read more about the Oneworld Alliance

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