Key takeaways
- Star Alliance was founded in 1997 – by Air Canada, Lufthansa, SAS, Thai Airways International and United Airlines.
- Its headquarters is in Frankfurt am Main, home of the Lufthansa hub at Frankfurt Airport.
- The other major alliances are oneworld and SkyTeam.
- Spotter tip: Several members operate aircraft in a Star Alliance special livery.
Contents
Profile
| Type | Airline alliance |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Frankfurt am Main |
| Founding members | Air Canada, Lufthansa, SAS, Thai Airways International, United Airlines |
| Well-known members (selection) | Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, United Airlines, Air Canada, Singapore Airlines, Turkish Airlines, LOT, TAP Air Portugal, ANA, Air China |
| Other alliances | oneworld, SkyTeam |
| Official website | www.staralliance.com |
Business areas
History at a glance
Star Alliance from a spotter’s point of view
Your checklist for Star Alliance
- Spotted an aircraft in a Star Alliance special livery
- Found the Star Alliance logo on a member airline’s aircraft
- Photographed three different member airlines at the same airport in one day
- Matched codeshare flight numbers on the departures board to a single flight
Strengths and weaknesses
What speaks for it
- Many members with large long-haul fleets
- Alliance special liveries are sought-after subjects
Where it falls short
- Memberships change – older information may be out of date
The first of the major alliances
Star Alliance was founded in 1997 by five airlines: Air Canada, Lufthansa, SAS, Thai Airways International and United Airlines. Since then, numerous airlines have joined and others have left – most recently founding member SAS, which switched to SkyTeam in 2024.
What the alliance means for passengers
Members coordinate connections, mutually recognize frequent flyer status and miles, and share lounges at many airports. Many routes are offered as codeshares: the same flight then carries the flight numbers of several members.
Star Alliance when spotting
Several member airlines operate individual aircraft in the uniform Star Alliance special livery – sought-after subjects, because they make up only a small part of the fleet. At hubs like Frankfurt, where Lufthansa is at home, you see an especially large number of members in a single day. Log the registration for every sighting: flight numbers help little with codeshares, while the registration identifies the aircraft unambiguously.
Summary
- Star Alliance links the networks of its member airlines, including Lufthansa, United and Air Canada.
- The alliance was founded in 1997 and is headquartered in Frankfurt am Main.
- Aircraft in the alliance special livery are especially interesting for spotters.
Frequently asked questions
When was Star Alliance founded?
In 1997, by Air Canada, Lufthansa, SAS, Thai Airways International and United Airlines.
Is SAS still a member of Star Alliance?
No. SAS left the alliance in 2024 and joined SkyTeam.
What is a Star Alliance special livery?
A uniform alliance design in which member airlines paint individual aircraft. The alliance name appears in large letters on the fuselage.
Collect sightings around Star Alliance
Post photos with registration, type, airline and spot, collect your finds in your hangar and get likes and comments from the community. Planetrack is launching soon – join the waitlist and get early access.