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Star Alliance, the world’s largest airline alliance, has opened its first lounge in Asia at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN) in Guangzhou, China. Starting today, the lounge will be available to First and Business class passengers, and Star Alliance Gold status customers on member airline flights departing from Terminal 1. The new Star Alliance branded lounge is located in a dedicated space on the upper level of the existing GBIA lounge in the Terminal 1 international area, offering exclusive access to Star Alliance member airline guests. The Star Alliance area provides a comfortable environment for travellers as they relax or work before their flight. Ideally situated close to the departure gates for Star Alliance member airlines, the lounge features an open layout and offers 750 square meters of space which can accommodate up to 100 guests. Open around the clock, it welcomes travellers with varying flight schedules. “Lounges are a critical component for the effortless travel experience we aim to provide to our member airline passengers,” said Star Alliance CEO Theo Panagiotoulias. “As a key strategic hub in Asia, Guangzhou serves as an important gateway for our guests. We are excited to inaugurate our first lounge in Asia, given the significance of the continent to aviation growth today and in the years to come.” Ambar Franco, Star Alliance’s Vice President for Customer Experience, added, “Our first Star Alliance branded lounge in Asia is an exciting milestone for us. Thoughtfully designed with the modern traveller in mind, it offers an effortless blend of comfort and functionality. Conveniently located close to departure gates, this lounge also provides travellers with the flexibility to relax, work, or refresh before their flight, all while enjoying a wide range of refreshment options and services tailored to their needs.” Release has more.<br/>

The world's largest airline alliance has opened its first lounge in Asia today. The new lounge is located in Terminal 1 of Guangzhou Airport in China. It will be available to Star Alliance Gold status customers along with passengers traveling in first and business class on member airline flights departing from Terminal 1. The Star Alliance branded lounge is located on the upper level of the existing GBIA lounge in the Terminal 1 international area of Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN). The dedicated space is situated close to the departure gates for Star Alliance member airlines to offer guests easy access. The lounge will be open 24/7 to accommodate a wide range of flight schedules and can hold up to 100 guests across its 750 square meters of space. In a statement announcing the opening, Star Alliance CEO Theo Panagiotoulias highlighted how important this lounge is for Star Alliance travelers and the region as a whole: “Lounges are a critical component for the effortless travel experience we aim to provide to our member airline passengers. As a key strategic hub in Asia, Guangzhou serves as an important gateway for our guests. We are excited to inaugurate our first lounge in Asia, given the significance of the continent to aviation growth today and in the years to come.”<br/>

The world’s largest airline alliance is ramping up the battle for premium travelers. On Thursday, Star Alliance opened its first branded airport lounge in Asia. The new facility is in Terminal One at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport in southern China. A second lounge will operate from the new Terminal Three when it opens next year. Notably, Star’s new space is within the existing GBIA lounge and situated in a dedicated area on the upper level. The site spans 8,000 square feet (around 750 square meters) and can accommodate up to 100 guests. The entry policy is in line with similar lounges elsewhere in the network. First and business class passengers on member airline flights departing from Terminal One are granted access, along with top-tier Star Alliance Gold status customers. Big-name brands in the alliance include United Airlines, Air India, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, and Turkish Airlines. Reflecting Guangzhou’s status as one of the world’s top ten busiest airports, the new lounge is open 24 hours. <br/>

Star Alliance, the world's largest airline alliance, has just inaugurated its first Asian lounge at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN). Located in Terminal 1's international area, the 750-square-meter facility can accommodate up to 100 guests. The Star Alliance Lounge welcomes First and Business class passengers and Star Alliance Gold members traveling on member airlines. Operating 24/7, it features workstations, comfortable seating areas, shower suites, and a VIP room for private meetings. A glass facade canopying overhead provides natural light and tarmac views. "Lounges are a critical component for the effortless travel experience we aim to provide to our member airline passengers," said Star Alliance CEO Theo Panagiotoulias. The CEO adds, "As a key strategic hub in Asia, Guangzhou serves as an important gateway for our guests. We are excited to inaugurate our first lounge in Asia, given the significance of the continent to aviation growth today and in the years to come."<br/>

The Star Alliance has opened a lounge at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN), in China. The lounge has opened effective immediately, and follows standard Star Alliance lounge access policies, meaning it’s open to Star Alliance first and business class passengers, as well as Star Alliance Gold members. The new 24/7 lounge is located in a dedicated space on the upper level of the existing GBIA lounge in the Terminal 1 international area. It’s not a very big lounge — it’s just 750 square meters (~8,100 square feet), with seating for 100 guests. The lounge features a glass facade offering tarmac views, and amenities like workstations, and seating for both relaxation and productivity. There’s also a 100 square meter VIP room available upon request (which seems like a huge space to dedicate to this purpose, given how small the lounge is?). The lounge also has a bar, buffet, restrooms, and shower suites. Then there’s art from local artists, as well as a “tea appreciation corner, where guests can experience the region’s renowned tea culture.”<br/>

tar Alliance is continuing to build on its global lounge network with this week’s opening of a new lounge at China’s Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN). Located at Terminal 1, it’s the first Star Alliance lounge in Asia, but not the last: the airline group says it will open a second Star Alliance-branded lounge at the airport’s upcoming Terminal 3, which is due to open in December 2025. The Star Alliance lounge rolls out the welcome mat for first and business class passengers on Star Alliance member airlines departing from Guangzhou T1, along with Gold-grade frequent flyers. At present, 10 Star Alliance airlines operate from Guangzhou: Air China, ANA, Asiana Airlines, EgyptAir, Ethiopian Airlines, EVA Air, Shenzhen Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Thai, and Turkish Airlines. Open 24 hours a day, the new Star Alliance lounge is located in the upper level of the existing GBIA lounge in the Terminal 1 international area – making it a lounge within a lounge – and close to the departure gates for Star Alliance member airlines.<br/>

Star Alliance has launched its first Asian lounge at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN). Available to First and Business class passengers and Star Alliance Gold status customers, the lounge offers:<br/>750 sqm space for up to 100 guests; Open layout, glass facade with tarmac views; Workstations, comfortable seating, VIP room; Shower suites, Tea Appreciation Corner; Local cuisine, curated drinks. Star Alliance CEO Theo Panagiotoulias says that lounges are critical for effortless travel. Guangzhou serves as an important gateway for the same. Ambar Franco, The VP Of Customer Experience reaffirms that they are thoughtfully designed as the lounge offers both comfort and functionality.<br/>

Panama’s Copa Airlines has cut four destinations from its network and again pushed back fleet growth plans due to a shortage of new jets from Boeing. “Due to Boeing delivery delays, the arrival of our last two aircraft of the year was postponed by a few months,” Copa CE Pedro Heilbron said on 21 November during the airline’s third-quarter earnings call. “We are temporarily pulling out of four markets… The reason we are doing that is also tied to aircraft deliveries.” The delivery delays come as no surprise, as Boeing’s 737 production was shut down for nearly eight weeks until early November due to a machinists’ strike. The strike was among several production disruptions that kept Boeing from hitting its delivery targets this year. As an all-737 operator, Copa’s ability to achieve its business objectives depends heavily on the success of the US manufacturer. Heilbron says Copa received one 737 Max 8 – its first of the type – from Boeing during the third quarter and that it ended the period with 110 jets in its fleet, including the single Max 8, 32 737 Max 9s, 67 737-800s, nine 737-700s and one 737-800 Freighter. Heilbron expects Copa will receive another two jets – both Max 8s – from Boeing before year end. An updated schedule from Boeing calls for Copa to receive another 11 Max 8s in 2025. If Boeing makes good on that schedule, Copa expects it will end next year with 123 jets in its fleet.<br/>

urkish Airlines (THY) is set to introduce biometric face recognition technology to streamline the boarding process and reduce waiting times for passengers. The system, initially tested in Boston and Miami airports, will soon be launched in Istanbul and Izmir. The face recognition system has already been successfully tested on THY flights from Miami and Boston airports. The implementation of this technology has proven to enhance boarding speed, making it easier for passengers to board their flights in less time. According to Kerem Kiziltunc, Deputy General Manager of Turkish Airlines, the system is expected to speed up boarding times by up to 50%. “As Turkish Airlines continues to lead the way in digitalization, we are now embarking on a biometric journey. Our project, which started in Miami and Boston, has been a great success in reducing boarding time. We plan to implement this contactless boarding process soon at new stations in Seul, Izmir, and Istanbul,” Kiziltunc stated.<br/>

Despite only being announced in September, Turkish Airlines' first flight from Istanbul to Sydney—which will operate via Kuala Lumpur—will take off towards the end of November. It will begin a few days after Delta Air Lines starts its new longest domestic route. Sydney flights will commence a few days earlier than previously expected. It will capture the peak summer demand Down Under ahead of the all-important Christmastime period. The New South Wales Aviation Attraction Fund is supporting it financially. Not only will Turkish Airlines now serve two Australian cities, but Sydney will also become the carrier's longest route by distance and maximum block time. Of course, it'll be even more noteworthy when Istanbul-Sydney is eventually served non-stop.On November 28, a week after this article is researched and written, the Star Alliance member will launch its inaugural Sydney service. Of course, it will be covered in my jam-packed weekly routes article. Generally, Turkish begins significant new long-haul routes using the Boeing 777-300ER (shown below), its highest-capacity equipment. This is mainly to accommodate dignitaries, the press, etc. Indeed, its first two services (November 28 and 30) will be on the 349-seater before the 329-seat Airbus A350-900 takes over on December 2. The one-stop service will then remain in the A350's hands.<br/>

South African Airways has disclosed its full-year results for the fiscal year to March 2023, claiming a net profit of R252m ($14m). The carrier’s management board unveiled the performance during its annual general meeting in Johannesburg on 20 November. SAA emerged from business rescue in September 2021. But a planned privatisation collapsed earlier this year and concern over future funding was discussed at a recent parliamentary committee hearing. The committee was informed that SAA is “debt-free” during the October hearing. But while it is not intending to request additional government funding, the carrier requires investment in order to proceed with its expansion strategy. SAA says the newly-released results show that the airline has turned in a “positive bottom line” for the first time since 2012. Revenues for the company reached R5.7b, up from R2b in the previous year when the carrier posted an overall R3.6b loss. SAA says it achieved positive equity of R4.7b, adding that this is a “welcome improvement” after “many years” of negative equity. It also made a final payment against legacy debt during the year. As a result of the restructuring imposed by business rescue the airline’s fleet had shrunk – to around six to eight aircraft – during 2022-23, serving a network of some nine destinations. But the airline says it is embarking on a “prudent” fleet expansion, and its fleet has since doubled to about 16. Another seven aircraft are expected to be leased for introduction by 2025-26.<br/>