Star Alliance Redesigns Website and Mobile Apps

Star Alliance has redesigned its website to offer visitors a more modern look and user friendly experience.

Upgrades to its iPad and Android apps to improve usability and add new features will also be available shortly, as part of a wider initiative to meet the needs of today`s travellers for information at their fingertips.

The new website has adopted a bold visual design throughout as well as mobile-friendly navigational principles that allow it to be accessed easily on any size of screen.

“We have responded to the fact that more and more customers want to have the latest information at their fingertips, wherever they are,” said Star Alliance’s Vice President for Customer Experience and Information Technology, Justin Erbacci. “The new site allows us to bring more tailored information to Alliance customers, so extending and complementing the information offered by each of our member airline’s own web presence.”

The website is a one-stop shop for access to information about the whole of the Star Alliance network, the benefits offered to its frequent flyers, and about Star Alliance products for both leisure and business travel. In many cases, the site offers links to a member airline website for deeper research.

Selecting “flight search” allows the visitor to scan the schedules of all 28 member airlines, serving over 1,300 airports worldwide, to find connections that best meet their travel needs. Once the right connection has been identified, a link is offered to the relevant airline website for booking.

The home page also offers a link to “flight status” – offering up to the minute information on the status of over 18,500 daily flights worldwide.

Customers who are travelling in First Class or Business Class, or those who have earned Star Alliance Gold status, can search a database of over 1,000 lounges globally. The site also offers basic information on destination airports, with more details, including Star Alliance specific maps, available for the Alliance’s biggest hubs.

At appropriate moments during a site visit, the visitor is prompted to share location details and other information that allows site personalisation, particularly when the customer is at an airport and travelling on the same day.

The upgraded iPad app will enhance the original “globe” design on its homepage so that a swipe now opens an airport search feature. Once any of the 1,330 airports on the Star Alliance network is entered, the destination is plotted on the globe and supporting information displayed, such as weather, Star Alliance member airlines that fly there and other airport details.

New “info cards” on the home page contain App tips and current news while the Network screen now includes Star Alliance statistics and interactive capabilities that open up member airline information when you tap on the airline`s logo.

In the Android app, the section on the benefits offered to holders of Star Alliance Gold and Silver status has been completely redesigned to offer a cleaner and crisper interface, with a more user friendly display and interaction.

Both new versions will be available for download shortly. 

See also: Aviation Industry Update by Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) plus Future of Air Travel - HD Video Interview with SITA President for Asia Pacific.