Star Alliance has reached its 29th anniversary, nearly three decades after its launch in 1997 as the first global airline alliance. The network was created on May 14, 1997, when United Airlines, Lufthansa, Air Canada, Thai Airways International and Scandinavian Airlines joined forces to coordinate schedules, fares and frequent-flyer benefits across three continents.
From its original five members, Star Alliance has grown to 26 member airlines, according to recent data cited by industry sources. The alliance now connects more than 1,150 destinations and offers access to around 1,000 airport lounges worldwide, making it the largest airline alliance by network size.
Over the years, Star Alliance has expanded through the integration of carriers such as Singapore Airlines, Turkish Airlines, TAP Air Portugal, Avianca, Copa Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines and others, while some airlines have exited due to mergers, restructuring or shifts to rival alliances. Recent changes in the competitive landscape include Scandinavian Airlines leaving Star Alliance in 2024 to join SkyTeam, and ITA Airways switching from SkyTeam to Star Alliance in April 2026 following a stake purchase by Lufthansa Group.
The alliance continues to focus on offering coordinated itineraries and through-check services across its members, with digital initiatives aimed at simplifying multi-airline journeys for passengers.