The member airlines of Star Alliance today welcomed Ansett Australia and Air New Zealand into their global network, which now extends to more than 720 destinations in more than 110 countries.
For travelers around the world, the new partners open up a wide range of connections in and to Australia, New Zealand and throughout Asia-Pacific, where the benefits of Star Alliance membership will now be honoured. Frequent flyer miles accumulated on flights offered by Ansett Australia and Air New Zealand will now be counted toward Star Gold and Star Silver status in whichever Star Alliance frequent flyer plan one belongs. Similarly, flights on Air Canada, Lufthansa, SAS, Thai, United and VARIG will count toward higher status in Air New Zealand`s Air Points program, and Ansett Australia`s Global Rewards program. This status is recognized by all Star Alliance members, and guarantees special treatment and reception from all member airlines, wherever one flies. The benefits include lounge access, priority check-in and priority baggage handling.

All passengers on Star Alliance airlines enjoy the benefits of air travel made increasingly hassle-free and seamless, and the efficiencies of a carefully integrated network. Even when transferring between Star Alliance airlines, passengers can get boarding passes right through to their destination, and flight schedules are being refined to reduce connection times between Star Alliance carriers to a minimum. The Star Alliance airlines have worked together closely for two years, which gives them a significant lead when it comes to providing value to airline travelers.
On October 8, 1998, Air Canada and Air New Zealand launched a codeshare agreement that included up to four times weekly service between Vancouver and Auckland, via Honolulu. The agreement has since been expanded to include daily codeshare frequencies between Toronto and Auckland, via Los Angeles. Together with Air New Zealand`s extensive network throughout New Zealand and Australia, Air Canada`s customers have access to a whole world down under.

In addition to Air New Zealand, Ansett Australia and the six existing members, All Nippon Airways of Japan will be joining Star Alliance in October 1999.
 

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