Star Alliance, the way the Earth connects, has redesigned its website to offer a fresh, modern look and user friendly experience across both desktop and mobile devices, complementing the individual websites of its member airlines. Upgrades to its iPad and Android apps to improve usability and add new features will also be available shortly, as part of a wider initiative to meet the needs of today`s travellers for information at their fingertips. The new website, accessible under www.staralliance.com, adopts bold visual design throughout as well as mobile-friendly navigational principles that allow it to be accessed easily on any size of screen. Its information and content is targeted to the audience of Alliance travellers, who regularly fly on more than one of the Alliance’s 28 member airlines. “We have responded to the fact that more and more customers want to have the latest information at their fingertips, wherever they are,” said Star Alliance’s Vice President for Customer Experience and Information Technology Justin Erbacci. “The new site allows us to bring more tailored information to Alliance customers, so extending and complementing the information offered by each of our member airline’s own web presence.” The website is a one-stop shop for access to information about the whole of the Star Alliance network, the benefits offered to its frequent flyers, and about Star Alliance products for both leisure and business travel. In many cases, the site offers links to a member airline website for deeper research. Selecting “flight search” allows the visitor to scan the schedules of all 28 member airlines, serving over 1,300 airports worldwide, to find connections that best meet their travel needs. Once the right connection has been identified, a link is offered to the relevant airline website for booking. The home page also offers a link to “flight status” – offering up to the minute information on the status of over 18,500 daily flights worldwide. Customers who are travelling in First Class or Business Class, or those who have earned Star Alliance Gold status, can search a database of over 1,000 lounges globally. The site also offers basic information on destination airports, with more details, including Star Alliance specific maps, available for the Alliance’s biggest hubs. At appropriate moments during a site visit, the visitor is prompted to share location details and other information that allows site personalisation, particularly when the customer is at an airport and travelling on the same day. Holders of Gold and Silver Star Alliance status are “recognised” with an enhanced visual experience. The upgraded iPad app will enhance the original “globe” design on its homepage so that a swipe now opens an airport search feature. Once any of the 1,330 airports on the Star Alliance network is entered, the destination is plotted on the globe and supporting information displayed, such as weather, Star Alliance member airlines that fly there and other airport details. New “info cards” on the home page contain App tips and current news while the Network screen now includes Star Alliance statistics and interactive capabilities that open up member airline information when you tap on the airline`s logo. In the Android app, the section on the benefits offered to holders of Star Alliance Gold and Silver status has been completely redesigned to offer a cleaner and crisper interface, with a more user friendly display and interaction. Both new versions will be available for download shortly. The new website and app upgrades are among a series of projects on the Star Alliance roadmap that will improve and modernise the travel experience, aimed particularly at regular Alliance travellers. This includes initiatives such as Gold Track, which offers access to a priority security lane for member airline customers holding Star Alliance Gold status or flying in First Class or Business Class. Gold Track is currently available at around 70airports worldwide and new destinations will be added steadily in coming months. About Star Alliance: The Star Alliance network was established in 1997 as the first truly global airline alliance to offer worldwide reach, recognition and seamless service to the international traveler. Its acceptance by the market has been recognized by numerous awards, including the Air Transport World Market Leadership Award and Best Airline Alliance by both Business Traveller Magazine and Skytrax. The member airlines are: Adria Airways, Aegean Airlines, Air Canada, Air China, Air India, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, Avianca, Avianca Brasil, Brussels Airlines, Copa Airlines, Croatia Airlines, EGYPTAIR, Ethiopian Airlines, EVA Air, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, SWISS, TAP Portugal, Turkish Airlines, THAI and United. Overall, the Star Alliance network currently offers more than 18,500 daily flights to 1,330 airports in 192 countries.
