The Chief Executive Board of the Star Alliance voted unanimously to accept SWISS's application for membership. This step marks the beginning of the process of SWISS formally joining the alliance, which currently consists of 16 airlines worldwide. SWISS expects to become a member of the alliance in the coming year.

Following the unanimous vote, SWISS is now set to become a new member of the global Star Alliance. "Joining Star Alliance represents a milestone for our company and its customers," said Christoph Franz, President and Chief Executive Officer of SWISS. "As a quality airline with a worldwide reputation, SWISS is the preferred carrier of a large number of high-value international travellers. And as a Star Alliance member, we will be even better equipped to meet their specific air travel needs."

Customers of all member airlines stand to benefit. Upon the integration of SWISS and South African Airways, another new applicant, the Star Alliance member carriers offers travellers a worldwide network consisting of 846 destinations in 151 countries.

SWISS intends to fulfil the requirements for membership in the Star Alliance within the next twelve months. This process involves harmonising and adapting IT interfaces, training staff, marketing, and adapting documentation. Parallel to this process, the integration of SWISS into the Lufthansa Group will also be vigorously pursued.

Star Alliance was established in 1997 as the first truly global airline alliance to offer customers global reach and a smooth travel experience. The members are Air Canada, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, bmi, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Spanair, TAP Portugal, Thai Airways International, United, US Airways and VARIG Brazilian Airlines. South African Airways and SWISS will be integrated during the course of the next 12 months.