In the mid-1990s, commercial aviation was experiencing rapid globalization, and airlines were seeking new ways to expand their networks, reduce operational costs, and enhance customer loyalty without the capital-intensive process of acquiring new routes or fleets. Bilateral codeshare agreements were no longer enough to meet the need, and the concept of a broader alliance of multiple carriers emerged. When the concept became reality, it would fundamentally change the way we travel. Legacy carriers tout the alliance benefits of expanded networks and greater rewards for loyal customers. Skeptics will say that alliances only came about as a defense strategy for legacy carriers against emerging low-cost carriers. Likely it was a bit of both, but over the space of three years in the late 1990s, three new global alliances emerged. Let's take a closer look at the first and the largest: Star Alliance. Star Alliance was founded in May 1997 by Air Canada, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines (SAS), Thai Airways, and United Airlines. Headquartered in Frankfurt, Germany, the new alliance adopted a star‑shaped logo with five points, each representing one of the founding members. It also launched with the slogan “The Airline Network for Earth,” looking to emphasize its ambition of seamless global connectivity. The primary motivations for forming Star Alliance were clear. First and foremost, it enabled network expansion for alliance members by tapping into the networks of partners rather than having to make capital investments. This created a competitive advantage and helped drive increased passenger revenues and loyalty. However, operational integration and pooling of resources such as lounges and ground handling also helped to reduce costs. From a passenger perspective, integrated frequent‑flyer programs across multiple carriers significantly raised their perks. Story has more.<br/>
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United Airlines is poised to offer an exciting new route expansion as it secures approval from the United States Department of Transportation to operate fifth freedom flights connecting the United States with Southeast Asia. The new services will link two of the region’s most popular destinations, Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City, via Hong Kong. Beginning on October 26, 2025, United Airlines will begin operating daily flights from Hong Kong International Airport to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport and Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City. These flights will depart from major U.S. hubs, Los Angeles and San Francisco, enhancing connectivity for travelers seeking direct access to Southeast Asia. These services will be operated using United’s Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, which are designed for long-haul flights with optimal passenger comfort.<br/>
A steep decline in Canadian travel to the U.S. has dealt a blow to airlines that usually cash in on popular Florida beach vacations and family trips to Disneyland. That's left airlines scrambling to adjust their summer schedules, trim U.S. flight capacity and add more seats to destinations within Canada and overseas. WestJet, for example, says it has scaled back some capacity between Canada and the U.S. and shifted its summer schedule to redeploy aircraft to "markets of strength," including Europe and sun destinations. "The current political environment and differences in currency exchange rates are likely contributing to the shift in demand," said WestJet spokesperson Josh Yeats. Air Canada says that, as of mid-March, transborder bookings were down about 10% for the next six-month period. The airline said it is adjusting some of its U.S. flights by using smaller aircraft and reducing certain frequencies. Porter Airlines, which has significantly increased its service to the U.S. over the past year, has slightly reduced its summer service into the U.S. and shifted some capacity to domestic markets. While airlines frequently tweak their schedules, it's unusual to see such a significant dip in demand for Canada-U.S. travel, said Mike Arnot, a spokesperson for airline analytics firm Cirium. "It's a tough place for the airlines to be," said Arnot.<br/>