Star Alliance Members: Complete Guide 2025

Introduction

The Star Alliance is the world’s first and largest airline alliance, revolutionizing international air travel since its inception in 1997. Designed to offer travelers a seamless global network, Star Alliance connects passengers to hundreds of destinations across nearly every continent. By bringing together leading airlines, the alliance provides consistent service standards, shared benefits, and smoother travel experiences. Whether you are a frequent flyer seeking to maximize loyalty rewards or a casual traveler planning a multi-leg journey, understanding Star Alliance and its member airlines can make your travel more convenient, efficient, and enjoyable.

In this article, we explore the full list of Star Alliance member airlines, the key benefits of flying with them, recent updates, and practical tips for maximizing your travel experience. By the end of this guide, you will know why Star Alliance remains the go-to choice for global travelers and how you can leverage its network for the best possible journey.

What is Star Alliance?

Star Alliance was founded on May 14, 1997, to create a global network of airlines that could work together to simplify international travel. Its goal was to provide travelers with coordinated schedules, unified loyalty rewards, and a consistent level of service across all member airlines. Over the years, it has grown to become the largest airline alliance in the world, covering more destinations and countries than any other. The alliance not only benefits passengers but also helps airlines optimize routes, share resources, and provide more comprehensive services to customers. Today, Star Alliance is recognized globally for its reliability, efficiency, and extensive network of connections that make international travel easier for millions of passengers each year.

Star Alliance Member Airlines (2025)

As of 2025, Star Alliance consists of 25 full member airlines, with ITA Airways expected to join in early 2026, bringing the total to 26. These airlines span every continent and include major carriers from North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Oceania.

Full Members (2025):

Aegean Airlines
Air Canada
Air China
Air India
Air New Zealand
All Nippon Airways (ANA)
Asiana Airlines
Austrian Airlines
Avianca
Brussels Airlines
Copa Airlines
Croatia Airlines
EgyptAir
Ethiopian Airlines
EVA Air
LOT Polish Airlines
Lufthansa
Shenzhen Airlines
Singapore Airlines
South African Airways
SWISS
TAP Air Portugal
Thai Airways International
Turkish Airlines
United Airlines

These airlines collectively serve more than 1,300 airports worldwide and operate thousands of flights daily, providing travelers with unmatched connectivity.

Key Benefits of Star Alliance

Global Connectivity

Star Alliance allows passengers to reach over 195 countries, making it ideal for long-haul travel and complex itineraries. The alliance’s vast network ensures that travelers can reach almost any major city worldwide with minimal layovers and coordinated schedules.

Seamless Transfers

With member airlines sharing check-in counters, baggage handling, and flight schedules, passengers experience smoother transfers between flights. This coordinated approach reduces travel stress, especially during multi-leg international trips.

Frequent Flyer Rewards

Star Alliance unifies loyalty programs across member airlines. Passengers can earn and redeem miles on any member airline, accelerating reward accumulation and providing greater flexibility in redeeming flights, upgrades, and other benefits.

Lounge Access and Premium Services

Frequent flyers with elite status enjoy access to over 1,000 lounges worldwide, priority boarding, extra baggage allowance, and other premium services. These perks make traveling more comfortable and convenient, particularly for business travelers and frequent flyers.

Consistent Quality

Member airlines adhere to shared standards in safety, customer service, and operational reliability. This ensures that regardless of which airline a passenger flies with, the quality and service are consistent across the alliance.

Recent Updates and Developments (2024–2025)

Star Alliance was named the World’s Best Airline Alliance in 2025, reflecting its continued commitment to quality and service excellence.
ITA Airways of Italy has been approved to join, with full membership expected in 2026, expanding the alliance’s presence in Europe.
Star Alliance lounges, particularly at major international hubs, continue to be recognized as the best in the world, offering passengers exceptional comfort and amenities.
The alliance continues to innovate with digital services, improving flight coordination, check-in processes, and loyalty program management.

These developments highlight Star Alliance’s ongoing growth and its focus on enhancing the passenger experience.

How Star Alliance Works

Codeshare Agreements: Member airlines share flights under a single booking, allowing passengers to travel on multiple carriers without separate tickets.
Frequent Flyer Integration: Miles earned on one member airline can be redeemed on another, allowing travelers to maximize rewards efficiently.
Shared Airport Services: Coordinated check-in counters, lounges, and baggage handling streamline transfers between member airlines.
Quality Standards: Member airlines must maintain high standards in safety, customer service, and operational efficiency to remain part of the alliance.

This collaboration ensures that passengers enjoy a seamless and reliable travel experience, even when flying on multiple airlines within the alliance.

Who Benefits Most from Star Alliance?

Frequent international travelers seeking extensive connectivity.
Passengers planning multi-leg trips across different continents.
Loyalty program members looking to maximize miles and rewards.
Travelers who value premium services like lounge access, priority boarding, and smoother transfers.
Anyone seeking a consistent and reliable airline experience worldwide.

Things to Keep in Mind

Not every destination is served by all member airlines, so planning may be necessary for certain routes.
Elite benefits depend on frequent flyer status; not all passengers receive premium perks automatically.
Booking coordination is necessary when flying on multiple airlines within the alliance.
Reward programs and seat availability may vary among airlines, requiring careful planning for redemptions.

Conclusion

Star Alliance stands as a global leader in airline collaboration, providing travelers with extensive connectivity, seamless transfers, and consistent service standards across 25 member airlines in 2025. With ITA Airways joining soon, its network will expand further, offering even greater access to destinations worldwide. The alliance’s integrated frequent flyer programs, premium services, and coordinated operations make it a preferred choice for both frequent flyers and casual travelers.

Whether traveling for business or leisure, Star Alliance simplifies complex itineraries, maximizes loyalty rewards, and enhances the overall passenger experience. Its continued recognition as the world’s top airline alliance reflects its commitment to quality, innovation, and global reach. By understanding Star Alliance, its members, and the benefits it offers, travelers can make informed decisions, ensuring smoother, more efficient, and more enjoyable journeys around the world. Star Alliance truly embodies the future of interconnected international air travel.

FAQs

1. What airlines are part of Star Alliance in 2025?
There are 25 full member airlines, including Lufthansa, United Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Air Canada, Air India, ANA, and others.

2. How can I get lounge access and priority boarding?
These benefits are available to travelers with elite status in Star Alliance frequent flyer programs.

3. What is the advantage of using Star Alliance?
It allows seamless multi-leg trips, unified rewards programs, consistent service quality, and smoother transfers between airlines.

4. Is Star Alliance useful for travelers from South Asia?
Yes, multiple member airlines operate routes to and from South Asia, providing excellent global connectivity.

5. Will new airlines join Star Alliance soon?
Yes, ITA Airways is approved to join and will become a full member in early 2026.