Thai Smile Airways is to join Star Alliance as a
Connecting Partner.
Thai Smile will add 11 new destinations to the
Star Alliance network, which already comprises over 1,300 airports
in 194 countries.
Established by
Star Alliance in June 2016, the Connecting Partner model complements its membership model. In contrast to full membership in the alliance,
requiring building of commercial ties with all full members, the
more regional Connecting Partner scope calls for commercial
relationships with a minimum of three carriers only.
Customers travelling on an itinerary which
includes a transfer between a Star Alliance member airline and a
Connecting Partner will be offered standard alliance benefits such
as passenger and baggage through check-in.
In addition, customers
who have achieved Star Alliance Gold Status in their frequent
flyer programme will enjoy premium customer benefits.
Once all entry requirements are fulfilled, which
is expected by the end of the year, Thai Smile Airways will become
the second Connecting Partner, joining Juneyao Airlines which
entered in 2017.
Jeffrey Goh, Star Alliance CEO, said, “Three
years after the introduction of the new programme, I am pleased to
announce that Thai Smile is set to become the next Star Alliance
Connecting Partner, which will support us in further strengthening
our position as the leading airline alliance network. The partnership with our first Connecting
Partner, Juneyao Airlines, has exceeded our mutual expectations
and we look forward to providing our customers with even more
choice through the addition of the THAI Smile Airways offer”.
The Bangkok-based airline has already begun to implement
the necessary technology and commercial links which will allow
Thai Smile to begin serving Star Alliance connecting passengers in
2020.
Headlines: |
|
See latest
HD Video
Interviews,
Podcasts
and other
news regarding:
Star Alliance,
Thai Smile.
|