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First and Business Class passengers flying with a Star Alliance member airline, as well as Star Alliance Gold status members, can now enjoy a new exclusive lounge in Asia. This is made possible by the opening of the alliance’s first dedicated lounge on the continent, located at Baiyun International Airport (CAN) in China. The brand-new space, located on the upper level of the current GBIA Terminal 1’s international departure area, opened to premium guests and elite-status members on November 21. The lounge offers a relaxing and comfortable space for travelers to work quietly, unwind, and freshen up before heading off on their Star Alliance member flight. With an open layout and spacious design, the first Star Alliance branded lounge in Asia is open 24 hours a day and has a capacity of up to 100 guests across its 750 square meters. The glass facade provides views of the tarmac and allows natural light to fill the space. Practical features, including workstations and comfortable seating areas, create a relaxing environment for business travelers to work and rest.<br/>

Star Alliance, the world’s largest airline alliance, has opened its first lounge in Asia at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN) in Guangzhou, China. 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.<br/>

Star Alliance shines at the 2024 World Travel Awards, earning top honors for the fifth year and celebrating multiple wins by its member airlines globally. For the fifth year in a row, Star Alliance has earned the prestigious title of the World’s Leading Airline Alliance at the 2024 World Travel Awards. The accolade was presented during the Grand Final Gala Ceremony in Madeira, Portugal, on November 24, with global tourism leaders in attendance. Additionally, in July 2024, the Los Angeles Airport Lounge operated by Star Alliance received high praise at the North America edition of the awards. It was named North America’s Leading Airport Lounge for the fifth consecutive year, solidifying its reputation for exceptional airport hospitality. Expressing his gratefulness for this latest accolade, Star Alliance CEO Theo Panagiotoulias stated, “We are incredibly honoured to receive the title of the World’s Leading Airline Alliance yet again. This enduring achievement reflects the collective dedication of Star Alliance and member airline employees and their commitment to deliver seamless travel experiences. We also extend our deepest thanks to our valued customers for their continued trust and support.”<br/>

Korean Air and Asiana Airlines are enjoying rising earnings, fueled by increased cargo volume driven by the success of Chinese e-commerce firms in the region, according to data and industry officials, Monday. Data from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport showed that the quantity of goods transported by a group of 11 local carriers on international flights reached 2.33m tons in the first 10 months of this year, up 12.4% compared to 2023. This helped the carriers report solid earnings growth in the third quarter. According to a regulatory filing by Korean Air, the nation’s flag carrier chalked up robust cargo sales growth of 22% between July and September from a year earlier. Buoyed by the cargo business growth, the airline achieved record quarterly sales of 4.24t won ($3.02b) in the third quarter, up 10% from a year ago. Industry officials attributed the cargo growth to the increased access Korean shoppers have to global products through Chinese e-commerce platforms like AliExpress and Temu. “No one can dispute that it has become much easier for local customers to purchase overseas goods via such platforms at super-cheap prices,” an aviation industry official said.<br/>

Air New Zealand remains eager to add new destinations once its current shortfall of aircraft subsides, and the United Kingdom tops the list of “international markets visited by New Zealanders” beyond today’s AirNZ network. But it’s not all about London: India, the Philippines, Thailand and Malaysia are also earmarked for a growth spurt of direct flights across Asia, with Germany and France joining the UK as potential stop-over markets. While all of those routes are currently served by Air New Zealand’s joint venture partner Singapore Airlines, the airline shared its own wish-list in a presentation during its Investor Day 2024 held on Monday November 25. There are currently no direct flights between New Zealand and India, the Philippines or Thailand, while Malaysia Airlines has a daily service between Auckland and Kuala Lumpur. There’s been recent speculation that Air New Zealand intends to resume flights to London – a route once flew via Los Angeles, and abandoned in early 2020.<br/>