Star Alliance introduces airpass for Europe-wide travel

Star AllianceÔ, the airline network for Earth, has launched an attractively-priced Visit-Europe-type of airpass for individual leisure travelers coming from overseas to explore “the old world”. Available for sale and travel from November 1, 2000, the Star Alliance European Airpass offers the economy-class services of 14 airlines to more than 200 destinations in 43 countries, with no minimum stay other than 2 stopovers required.

All the European Star Alliance member airlines are participating in the program, as well as a number of their regional partners. Travel to and from Europe also has to be on a Star Alliance carrier.

“The Star Alliance European Airpass offers an excellent opportunity for visitors from other parts of the world to travel within Europe, including the CIS countries, at fares that won’t break their budgets,” said Richard S.Merkatz, the alliance’ newly appointed Vice President of Sales.

The number of flight coupons making up an airpass is between 3 and 10 and the fare per coupon is related to distance. For example, the fare will be US$60 for distances up to 150 miles, US$90 for 151-500 miles and US$115 for 501-1,000 miles (excluding local taxes, fees and charges.) At the other end of the scale the fare is US$220 for distances between 2,251 and 2,500 miles. Children aged between 2 and 11 pay 67 percent of the adult fare, while infants pay 10 percent.

Using these examples, an adult traveling in economy class on participating airlines from Paris to Vienna and on to Munich, Copenhagen and London before returning to Paris will pay a total fare of US$525 excluding applicable taxes and charges. The holder of a Star Alliance European Airpass does not have to hurry to complete his travel, as the maximum stay is 3 months. There are no seasonal limitations and the airpass can be purchased all year round. It can also be used in conjunction with a Star Alliance Round-the-World economy-class ticket.

The European airlines participating in the program are the Star Alliance members Lufthansa German Airlines, SAS Scandinavian Airlines, Austrian Airlines (including Lauda Air and Tyrolean Airways) and British Midland, as well as Air Botnia, Air Baltic, Maersk Air, Spanair, Cimber Air, Falcon Air, Estonian Air and Wideroe.

Star Alliance is a partnership of independent airlines established in 1997 to provide seamless travel worldwide. The combined Star Alliance network covers more than 815 destinations in over 130 countries and is being served by more than 9,500 daily flights. The Star Alliance members also include Air Canada, Air New Zealand, All Nippon Airways – ANA, Ansett Australia, Mexicana Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways International, United Airlines and VARIG Brazilian Airlines.