It has been a while since the Star Alliance (Web site: www.staralliance.com) had a strong, robust Latin American airline in its fold. That’s changing.
Varig, once one of the planet’s premier carriers, fell on hard times. The former Star Alliance stalwart is a shadow of its former self having cut staff, routes, and scope. Now, another Brazilian carrier is stepping in to fill the void created by Varig’s fall from grace. That carrier is TAM (Web site: www.tam.com.br). “Thanks to TAM,” says Jean Albrecht, Star Alliance CEO, “Latin America will no longer be a white spot but rather a hot spot on our world map.”
Alliances are all about creating connectivity for passengers. Alliances such as Star often offer code-share flights, so-called “seamless” connections, frequent-flyer program reciprocity, and the ability of flyers from one alliance member to use the airport lounges of other alliance carriers.
In a prepared statement, Star Alliance says once the integration of TAM into the fold is complete, the Star route network will encompass more than 1,000 destinations in 170 countries, and its airlines will field more than 20,000 flights daily.
The key Star Alliance member in the United States is United Airlines, this country’s (currently) second-largest carrier. It should fall to third place with the completion of the Delta/Northwest merger.
© Cheapflights Ltd Jerry Chandler
