Continental Airlines to join Star Alliance frequent flyer mileage program

Continental Airlines receives okay to join Star Alliance
   Photo: Courtesy of Continental Airlines

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Continental Airlines received the okay from the U.S Department of Transportation (DOT) to join the existing partnership between United Airlines and either other Star Alliance airline carriers.  The announcement was reported by Continental Airlines on April 7th. 

Of the eight members of the Star Alliance, Air Canada, Lufthansa and United Airlines offer service out of Sea-Tac airport.  Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) will continue operating out of Sea-Tac through June at which point it will discontinue service to Seattle.  Also in the Star Alliance are Austrian, bmi, LOT Polish Airlines, SWISS and TAP Air Portugal.

Continental Airlines switches from SkyTeam Alliance to Star Alliance

Continental Airlines is the world's fifth largest airline and is currently a member of the SkyTeam alliance along with Delta, Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines and Northwest Airlines, among others.  A final transition date has not been set although Continental's chariman and CEO Larry Kellner was quoted in a press release saying that the Continental would provide a "seamless transition for its customers from the SkyTeam alliance to Star Alliance this fall."

Whether the switch is seen as good or bad will likely depend on the network of airlines current holders of frequent flyer miles use for their domestic travel needs.  As a long-time passenger of the SkyTeam alliance, I've enjoyed the opportunity to take advantage of Continental's airfare deals and still acrue miles in my primary mileage program.  But travelers who fly frequently to Denver or Chicago with United and Houston or New York on Continental will find the addition to the Star Alliance most welcome.