Status: checked against official sources; automated independent review
GUIDE
Start here: airline alliances
Airline alliances are groups of airlines that present themselves as one network for connections and loyalty benefits. [1] Star Alliance, the alliance covered in this starter guide, says its 26 member airlines reach more than 1,150 destinations and allow miles to be earned and redeemed across all member airlines. [1] [4]
Facts checked: 18 October 2026
Key takeaways
- Star Alliance says it has 26 member airlines, connects 1,150+ destinations and allows access to 1,000 lounges worldwide. [1]
- Its member-airlines page describes the same 26 airlines as serving over 1,150 airports in 190 countries and covering 90% of the world. [4]
- Star Alliance says miles can be earned and redeemed seamlessly across all member airlines. [1]
- Juneyao Air is listed separately as a Connecting Partner, not among the 26 member airlines, and receives certain privileges on combined itineraries. [4]
- Membership can change: the alliance's news page records ITA Airways joining on 31 March 2026 and says Asiana Airlines is to exit in a 23 June 2026 item. [1]
What is Star Alliance?
Star Alliance's benefits page presents 26 member airlines as one seamless network. [1] The same page says the group connects 1,150+ destinations and allows access to 1,000 lounges worldwide. [1] Its member-airlines page gives a second set of network figures: 26 airlines serving over 1,150 airports across 190 countries, covering 90% of the world. [4]
The two pages measure the network differently: the benefits page counts destinations, while the member-airlines page counts airports and countries. [1] [4]
EGYPTAIR's member profile shows the airline-level detail available for one member: it says EGYPTAIR joined in July 2008, uses Cairo as its hub and lists EGYPTAIR Plus as its frequent flyer programme. [5] As of 18 October 2026, Star Alliance's news page records ITA Airways joining on 31 March 2026 and, in a 23 June 2026 item, says Asiana Airlines is to exit. [1]
Juneyao Air is listed separately from the 26 member airlines as a Connecting Partner. [4] Star Alliance says Connecting Partners are select airlines with a regional network that integrates with the wider Star Alliance network, offering smoother transfers and certain privileges on combined itineraries. [4]
How do you earn and redeem miles with Star Alliance?
At alliance level, Star Alliance says miles can be earned and redeemed seamlessly across all member airlines. [1] It places this under Loyalty and Recognition, alongside pages for Benefits and Privileges and Earn and Redeem. [1] The EGYPTAIR profile shows the airline-level layer: EGYPTAIR Plus is named as that airline's frequent flyer programme. [5]
At the airport, Star Alliance's topics are lounges, baggage and Gold Track. [1] It says the network allows access to 1,000 lounges worldwide. [1] For transit, it lists Star Connection Services under In Transit. [1] Check the specific benefit that applies to your own membership and booking before you rely on it. [terms]
How does status work across Star Alliance airlines?
Star Alliance places Benefits and Privileges and Earn and Redeem under Loyalty and Recognition. [1] It also names Gold Track in its airport information. [1] The member profile for EGYPTAIR lists EGYPTAIR Plus as that airline's frequent flyer programme. [5] This starter guide does not compare elite tiers or status-match rules between member programmes; check the programme you belong to before relying on a status benefit.
What should you check before booking a Star Alliance itinerary?
- Is the airline a current member? ITA Airways joined on 31 March 2026, while a 23 June 2026 news item says Asiana Airlines is to exit. [1]
- Is it a member or a Connecting Partner? Juneyao Air is a Connecting Partner, with certain privileges on combined itineraries. [4]
- Which programme will you use? Star Alliance says miles can be earned and redeemed across all member airlines, and member pages name the airline programme, such as EGYPTAIR Plus. [1] [5]
- Which airport benefits apply? The alliance's airport topics are lounges, baggage and Gold Track, and it says the network allows access to 1,000 lounges worldwide. [1]
- What connection support is offered? Star Connection Services is listed under In Transit. [1]
What are the limits of an alliance-level guide?
- This is a Star Alliance starter, not a comparison of all airline alliances; oneworld and SkyTeam are not covered.
- The alliance's figures are network-level: its benefits page counts 1,150+ destinations, while its member-airlines page counts over 1,150 airports in 190 countries. [1] [4]
- Connecting Partner status is distinct from member-airline status; the privileges described apply on combined itineraries. [4]
- Membership can change: the news page records ITA Airways joining and Asiana Airlines' planned exit. [1]
- This guide does not map elite tiers across member programmes or set out status-match rules; check the programme you use.
Frequently asked questions
What is Star Alliance?
Star Alliance is an airline alliance with 26 member airlines, according to its benefits page; that page says they connect 1,150+ destinations and allow access to 1,000 lounges worldwide. [1] Its member-airlines page describes over 1,150 airports in 190 countries. [4]
Can you earn and redeem miles on all Star Alliance member airlines?
Star Alliance says miles can be earned and redeemed seamlessly across all member airlines. [1] Member airlines also have their own programmes; EGYPTAIR's page names EGYPTAIR Plus. [5]
Is Juneyao Air a Star Alliance member?
No. Star Alliance lists Juneyao Air separately as a Connecting Partner, with smoother transfers and certain privileges on combined itineraries. [4]
Which Star Alliance membership changes should I check?
As of 18 October 2026, the alliance's news page records ITA Airways joining on 31 March 2026 and says in a 23 June 2026 item that Asiana Airlines is to exit. [1]
Sources
Sources accessed on 18 October 2026. The oneworld alliance and SkyTeam are not covered.
- Star Alliance benefits and privileges, checked 18 October 2026
- Star Alliance member airlines, checked 18 October 2026
- EGYPTAIR Star Alliance member profile, checked 18 October 2026