Bangkok--3 Aug--Thai Airways International Star Alliance has been voted best airline alliance in the World Airline Survey for the third consecutive time (2007, 2005 and 2003*). Conducted by specialist air transport research organisation Skytrax, more than 14 million passengers were polled during an 11-month period (August 2006 and June 2007). “Since we are celebrating our 10th anniversary, this award could not be more fitting and nor could it have come at a more appropriate time”, said Jaan Albrecht, CEO Star Alliance. “I would like to thank all the employees who deliver the Star Alliance customer promise day in and day out across the entire network, a fact which has once again been rewarded by our customers.” Star Alliance was founded in May 1997 on the vision of becoming the leading global airline alliance for the frequent international traveller. In order to achieve this, the alliance has in the past 10 years been working at better meeting the requirements of the international traveller. Having grown from the original five to its current 17 member carriers, Star Alliance presently offers the most comprehensive network of any airline alliance, serving 855 destinations in 155 countries. This will be further expanded with the joining of Air China and Shanghai Airlines by the end of 2007 and Turkish Airlines in 2008. Winning this award strengthens Star Alliance’s commitment in further improving the travel experience for customers. For example, Star Alliance was the first alliance to offer customers the possibility to redeem miles earned in one member carriers’ FFP to upgrade by one class on another member carrier — this product is now available on 11 member carriers and will be extended during the course of the year. With regard to airport facilities, the Star Alliance Terminal at Narita Terminal 1 in Tokyo has now been operational for more than one year and has received very positive feedback from the customers. The new Bangkok airport has also improved the customer experience at this important Star Alliance hub in Asia, while the first Star Alliance lounge in North America which recently opened in Los Angeles also offers a better facility to the traveller. In addition to Star Alliance, the following member carriers picked up awards in individual categories: Air Canada, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, SWISS and THAI. For full details please see: http://www.worldairlineawards.com/index.htm * note: the best alliance is only voted on every 2 years.About Star Alliance: The Star Alliance network was established in 1997 as the first truly global airline alliance to offer customers worldwide reach and a smooth travel experience. Star Alliance was voted Best Airline Alliance by Business Traveller Magazine in 2003 and 2006 and by Skytrax in 2003, 2005 and 2007. The members are Air Canada, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, bmi, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, Spanair, SWISS, TAP Portugal, THAI, United and US Airways. Regional member carriers Adria Airways (Slovenia), Blue1 (Finland) and Croatia Airlines enhance the global network. Air China, Shanghai Airlines and Turkish Airlines have all been accepted as future members and are expected to join Star Alliance soon. Overall, the Star Alliance network offers more than 16,000 daily flights to 855 destinations in 155 countries. For further information please contact: Star Alliance Press Office Tel: +49 69 96375 183 Fax: +49 69 96375 683 Email: [email protected] www.staralliance.com