Air India to Become Star Alliance Member

Air India announced that its membership with Star Alliance has been approved.  The carrier will officially become a member of the alliance on July 11.

Members of Air India’s Flying Returns frequent flyer program will be able to earn and redeem miles on flights operated by any Star Alliance member airline, while members of other Star Alliance carriers’ frequent flyer programs will be able to earn and redeem miles on Air India-operated flights.

The airline will also begin offering benefits to Star Alliance Gold status members, including access to its executive airport lounges, special check-in counters, increased baggage allowance, and priority boarding services.

Air India, the national flag carrier of India, was originally accepted as a future member of the Star Alliance in 2007. The integration process was halted in July 2011 to allow the carrier to focus on its merger with Indian Airlines, but was restarted in December 2013.

Air India’s membership in the Star Alliance will add 400 daily flights and 35 new destinations within India to the alliance’s network. The carrier will be the 27th member of the alliance, as well as the first Indian carrier to join a global airline alliance.

(Photo: Accura Media Group)