Air India will join Star Alliance in July 2014

Air India announced on 1 May 2014 to join largest global airlines network Star Alliance in July 2014. Air India became the first airline from India to be part of a global chain of carriers.

Air India had started the process of joining the grouping in 2007 but the alliance suspended the process in 2011 on grounds that the airline would take more time to meet the minimum joining conditions due to the merger.

Air India would have one of its Boeing 787 Dreamliners and an Airbus A-320 painted with the Star Alliance logo and livery for the launch. It will signify its international and domestic operations.

The pact of Air India give immense benefits to Indian fliers from day one as they would be able to earn-and-burn miles, gain access to over 1000 lounges at as many airports and enjoy seamless connectivity to major cities across the globe.

Air India was working on a customer service improvement plan to improve its services. This would be audited by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

The 26-member Star Alliance currently operates over 18000 daily flights to 1269 airports in 193 countries. A total of 4338 aircraft of the group fly over 640 million passengers a year.

Star Alliance would also launch the first mother hub of the airlines grouping at the new Terminal-2 of London Heathrow Airport on 23 June 2014. It would become the hub of operations of 26 member airlines like United, Singapore Airlines, Air China, Air Canada, Swiss, Lufthansa and Turkish.