Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL) has announced that it plans to join Star Alliance on Oct. 27, 2009. As previously announced, Continental will end its participation in SkyTeam after its last scheduled flight on Oct. 24, 2009.
Continental's transition from SkyTeam to Star Alliance is a strategic change, originally announced in June 2008, that will enhance travel options and competition. Continental's network will have a distinct fit in Star Alliance, with Continental's New York hub at Newark Liberty International Airport playing a particularly important role for Star Alliance travelers.
Continental's OnePass members do not need to make any changes to their OnePass accounts and will continue to utilize their mileage as normal. Mileage balances will not be affected by the transition.
Through Oct. 24, 2009, OnePass members can continue to earn and redeem miles and make reward reservations on SkyTeam partners.
When the transition to Star Alliance occurs on Oct. 27, 2009, OnePass members will begin earning base miles and Elite Qualification Miles/Points and be able to redeem miles on Star Alliance airlines.
Continental provides alliance updates on its web site at: continental.com/alliancenews
About Star Alliance
The Star Alliance network was established in 1997 as the first truly global airline alliance to offer customers worldwide reach and a smooth travel experience. Star Alliance received the Air Transport World Market Leadership Award in 2008 and was voted Best Airline Alliance by Business Traveller Magazine in 2003, 2006, 2007 and 2008 and by Skytrax in 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2009. The members are Air Canada, Air China, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, bmi, EGYPTAIR, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Shanghai Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, Spanair, SWISS, TAP Portugal, Turkish Airlines, THAI, United and US Airways. Regional member carriers Adria Airways (Slovenia), Blue1 (Finland) and Croatia Airlines enhance the global network. Aegean Airlines, Air India, Brussels Airlines, Continental Airlines and TAM have been announced as future members. Overall, the Star Alliance network offers 17,000 daily flights to 916 destinations in 160 countries.
