Star Alliance is the world’s largest global airline network, created to make international travel smoother, more connected, and more rewarding for passengers. Founded in 1997, it brings together major airlines from every continent, allowing travelers to enjoy seamless connections, shared benefits, and a unified loyalty experience across dozens of countries. Whether you’re a frequent business traveler or taking your first long-haul trip, Star Alliance aims to simplify your journey through coordinated schedules, baggage handling, lounge access, and consistent service standards.

What makes Star Alliance especially valuable is that a ticket booked with one airline often gives access to benefits on another member airline — from earning miles and elite credits to checking bags through multiple carriers on a single itinerary. In this article, you’ll find a complete, easy-to-understand overview of all Star Alliance members, how the network works, key traveler benefits, recent trends, and expert tips to get the most from the world’s largest airline alliance.

Full List of Star Alliance Member Airlines

Star Alliance currently has 25 full member airlines. These airlines work together to offer global connectivity, shared loyalty benefits, and integrated travel services.

Member Airlines (Alphabetical List + Short Notes)

Aegean Airlines – Greece’s main carrier, strong regional European network.
Air Canada – Major North American airline with global long-haul reach.
Air China – One of China’s largest airlines with extensive Asian routes.
Air India – India’s flag carrier, improving long-haul and domestic coverage.
Air New Zealand – Famous for premium service and Pacific/South Pacific routes.
All Nippon Airways (ANA) – Japan’s top full-service airline known for quality.
Austrian Airlines – Vienna-based European and long-haul connector.
Avianca – One of Latin America’s most important carriers.
Brussels Airlines – Belgium’s national airline with European coverage.
Copa Airlines – Panama-based hub linking North and South America.
Croatia Airlines – Key carrier for Southeastern European travel.
Egyptair – Connects Africa, the Middle East and Europe.
Ethiopian Airlines – Africa’s largest and fastest-growing carrier.
EVA Air – Taiwan-based premium airline with strong transpacific service.
LOT Polish Airlines – Expanding Central/Eastern Europe and long-haul routes.
Lufthansa – One of Europe’s biggest airlines and a founding member.
SAS Scandinavian Airlines – Extensive Nordic and European network.
Shenzhen Airlines – Major domestic and short-haul Chinese carrier.
Singapore Airlines – Widely considered one of the best airlines in the world.
South African Airways – Important African network carrier.
Swiss International Air Lines – Switzerland’s main airline with premium service.
TAP Air Portugal – Atlantic gateway between Europe, Africa, and the Americas.
Thai Airways – Strong Southeast Asian coverage and long-haul network.
Turkish Airlines – One of the largest route networks globally.
United Airlines – Major U.S. airline with global long-haul presence.

How Star Alliance Works (Simple Explanation)

Star Alliance is not a single airline — it is a cooperative travel network. Member airlines work together to give passengers benefits that go beyond one airline alone:

1. Seamless Connections

You can fly multiple Star Alliance airlines on one ticket, allowing smoother transfers, joint check-in counters in many hubs, and unified baggage handling.

2. Shared Loyalty Perks

When you earn miles with one Star Alliance frequent-flyer program, you can usually redeem them for flights on any other member airline. This makes elite status easier to reach and miles easier to spend.

3. Universal Elite Recognition

Two universal elite tiers exist across all member airlines:

Star Alliance Silver
Star Alliance Gold

Star Alliance Gold members get the strongest perks, including lounge access, fast-track lanes, priority boarding, and additional baggage allowance.

4. Codesharing for More Destinations

Many members place their airline codes on each other’s flights, so you can book more destinations through a single airline website while flying another member’s aircraft.

Key Traveler Benefits of Star Alliance

1. Global Lounge Access

Star Alliance Gold travelers receive access to more than a thousand lounges worldwide when flying any member airline. These lounges often include food, drinks, showers, quiet spaces, and work areas.

2. Easier Mileage Earning & Status Building

You can join any member airline’s frequent-flyer program and still earn:

Elite qualifying miles
Award miles
Segment credits

These apply across the whole network — so if you fly United, Lufthansa, and Singapore Airlines in one year, you can credit everything to one program.

3. Faster, Smoother Airport Experience

Star Alliance offers priority services that include:

Priority check-in
Priority baggage handling
Fast-track security (at many airports)
Priority boarding

This saves time and stress, especially on long journeys involving multiple connections.

4. More Destinations Without Extra Planning

Because the alliance covers more than 190 countries, your route options dramatically increase. Even remote destinations often become accessible with only one or two well-coordinated connections.

5. Integrated Customer Support

When your trip involves multiple member airlines, staff at any participating airline’s counter can assist with itinerary changes, delays, and rebooking.

Understanding Codeshares Within Star Alliance

What is a codeshare?

A codeshare means Airline A sells a seat on a plane flown by Airline B. This is very common within alliances like Star Alliance.

Why does this matter for you?

You may book a Lufthansa flight number, but the aircraft is operated by United.
Your loyalty benefits usually still apply, as long as the booking class qualifies.
You may earn miles differently depending on whether the flight is marketed vs. operated by a certain airline.

Tip: Always check the fare class and the operating carrier before booking if you need miles for elite status.

Recent Trends and Changes in Star Alliance (2024–2026)

Star Alliance continues to evolve. Some important trends include:

1. Airline Restructuring and Possible Future Additions

Some national airlines have been going through ownership changes and restructuring. These situations sometimes lead to alliance shifts, mergers, or potential new members. Travelers should always verify current membership because alliance participation can change.

2. Intermodal Partnerships (Air + Rail)

Star Alliance has started partnerships with certain rail companies in Europe. This allows passengers to combine airline flights with train segments under a unified booking system — a sign that the alliance is expanding beyond traditional aviation.

3. Digital and Contactless Travel Enhancements

Members are improving hybrid check-in services, digital boarding passes, shared mobile apps, and real-time irregular-operations communication across airlines.

4. Hub Expansions

Key hubs like Frankfurt, Singapore, Istanbul, Zurich, Toronto, and Tokyo continue to expand their Star Alliance facilities, improving lounge quality, transfer times, and passenger flow.

How to Choose the Best Star Alliance Frequent-Flyer Program

Since you can earn miles with any member airline’s program, here is how to choose the best one for your travel style:

1. If you fly mostly in North America

United MileagePlus is the most beneficial due to strong U.S. domestic coverage and global connectivity.

2. If you fly mostly in Europe

Lufthansa Miles & More, Aegean Miles+Bonus or SAS EuroBonus are popular for fast elite status.

3. If you fly often to Asia

Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer or ANA Mileage Club offer excellent redemption value and high service quality.

4. If you chase status quickly

Aegean Miles+Bonus and Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles are well-known for easier elite qualification.

5. If you value premium cabin redemptions

Singapore KrisFlyer is the only program that can redeem Singapore’s own premium cabin award space reliably.

Expert Tips to Maximize Star Alliance Benefits

Tip 1: Use One Frequent-Flyer Account for All Star Alliance Travel

This consolidates elite credits and miles, helping you reach status much faster.

Tip 2: Check Fare Class Before Booking

Discount economy fares sometimes earn fewer miles — verify earning charts for your chosen loyalty program.

Tip 3: Plan Connections Through Alliance Hubs

Alliance hubs such as Frankfurt, Munich, Singapore, Zurich, and Istanbul offer smoother transfers and better lounge options.

Tip 4: Use Mixed-Airline Itineraries

You can combine multiple Star Alliance carriers on the same ticket to find cheaper fares or better flight times.

Tip 5: Learn Which Program Gives Best Reward Value

Not all award charts are equal — some airlines offer much cheaper mileage redemptions for the same routes.

Conclusion

Star Alliance remains the world’s largest and most influential airline alliance because it delivers what travelers value most: global connectivity, consistent service, and meaningful loyalty rewards. With 25 member airlines spanning every region, the alliance opens access to hundreds of airports, thousands of daily flights, and seamless end-to-end journeys. Whether you’re a frequent flyer aiming for elite benefits or an occasional traveler looking for smoother connections and lounge comfort, Star Alliance’s unified structure makes international travel far easier.

The alliance continues to evolve through digital innovation, expanded hub facilities, and new intermodal partnerships that combine air and rail travel. Its focus on customer experience ensures that members enjoy reliable service across borders and airlines. As long as travel continues to globalize, Star Alliance will remain a powerful tool for travelers seeking comfort, efficiency, and mileage value across a vast global network.

FAQs

1. How many airlines are in Star Alliance?

Star Alliance currently has 25 full member airlines from every major region of the world.

2. What is the main benefit of Star Alliance?

The biggest benefit is the ability to earn and redeem miles across all member airlines, along with lounge access and smoother international travel.

3. Does Star Alliance Gold get lounge access?

Yes, Star Alliance Gold members typically get access to over a thousand lounges worldwide when flying a member airline.

4. Can I combine flights from different Star Alliance airlines on one ticket?

Yes. This is one of the major advantages of the alliance — you can mix multiple airlines on the same itinerary.

5. Which Star Alliance frequent-flyer program is best?

It depends on your travel pattern. United MileagePlus, Singapore KrisFlyer, Aegean Miles+Bonus, and Turkish Miles&Smiles are among the top choices.

Star Alliance Members: Guide to the World’s Largest Airline