Avianca and TACA held informative activities with travel agencies and Corporate Accounts to present the improved benefits through the Star Alliance network

As Star Alliance members, Avianca and TACA’s passengers have access to over 21,500 daily flights operated by the Alliance’s 27 members throughout 1.356 airports in 193 countries

In an environment marked by celebration, Avianca and TACA received representatives of travel agencies and major corporate accounts in Miami, through two valuable activities where they shared the many benefits and opportunities of the airlines through Star Alliance, the world's largest global airline network.

“Joining Star Alliance is a great accomplishment for Avianca and Taca Airlines.  We are proud to become part of the largest and most prestigious global airline network. In addition, Avianca and Taca Airlines will provide frequent flyers around the world with more benefits and travel options throughout the Latin American region,” said Rolando Damas, Managing Director North America & Asia, AviancaTaca.

“Thanks to the entry into this alliance, North American travelers can now enjoy easier, more convenient travel. Star Alliance provides an online reservation system for passengers of all its member airlines. It also offers a joint check in process, which allows passengers the option to perform self-check in special kiosks to travel on routes with several different airlines. Baggage handling is made simpler with a single contact point for the traveler, regardless of how many trips and journeys are made on Star Alliance member airlines. Avianca and TACA Airlines LifeMiles members now have access not only to all the flights on the network, but can also earn and redeem miles from the best loyalty programs in the world.”

Rolando Damas, Managing Director North America & Asia, AviancaTaca presenting the many benefits and opportunities offered by
Avianca and TACA through Star Alliance to an audience composed of travel agency representatives and the airlines’ corporate accounts.

After two years of work in the incorporation process and the adoption of the highest standards of operation and service, Avianca and TACA now offer its passengers the opportunity to access this global network, which brings together 28 internationally renowned airlines which together operate more than 4,200 last generation aircraft, serving 21,500 daily flights to 1,356 airports in 193 countries of America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia.

In turn, the combined network of Avianca and TACA will provide Star Alliance the opportunity to strengthen its presence in the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean in general. Thus, passengers in the global network can connect quickly and efficiently with over 50 destinations in the region through the hubs of Avianca and TACA in Bogota (Colombia), San Salvador (El Salvador), Lima (Peru), and San Jose (Costa Rica).

Multiple Benefits for Corporate Customers

Just as Avianca and TACA, Star Alliance has a special program for corporate customers, offering companies deciding to take advantage of the many benefits of managing their staff travel with one airline, such as:

• Recognition of your global purchasing power.
• Best Value versus a local offer or a single Star Alliance member fare.
• An offer enhanced thanks to the possibility of combining benefits whenever possible.
• Uniform price terms per market.
• Meetings Plus: which allows Star Alliance member airlines to offer corporate customers a single agreement for its meetings. Includes a discount on published rates for international travel of participants to international meetings.

Conferences and conventions

Those companies that decide to do their conferences or conventions with Avianca and TACA, have some additional benefits as well, including:

• A representative for all airlines as a single point of contact.
• Discount travel for delegates and an acquaintance in participating Star Alliance airlines.
• Support program for the organizers.
• Providing support tickets for official use.
• Promotional assistance.

After the formal activities they were all invited to watch the Marlins’ game in preferred seating at Marlin Stadium.

Multiple benefits for frequent travelers

As a result of entering this alliance, travelers will enjoy greater simplicity during their flights. Star Alliance provides an online reservation system for the passengers of all its member airlines.

It also has a joint check-in process making it possible to perform a self-check at a kiosk/ terminal for travelling segments in several airlines. The baggage handling has a single point of contact for the traveler, regardless of how many trips and journeys are made on any of Star’s airlines. As a result of all this, frequent Avianca and TACA LifeMiles’ travelers will have access not only to all their flight network, but can also accrue and redeem their miles on the best loyalty programs in the world.

About Avianca and TACA: Avianca and TACA - along with other airline subsidiaries and business units - form the AviancaTaca Holding. With a modern fleet of more than 140 short, medium, and long haul airplanes and an exceptional human team made up of over 17,000 collaborators, Avianca and TACA directly serve over 100 destinations in 25 countries throughout the Americas and Europe, which connect to over 750 destinations worldwide served through interline and codeshare agreements with other airlines. With more than four million members registered to its loyalty program, LifeMiles, the airline group recorded combined annual sales revenues of almost four billion dollars. Its multi-hub business model offers diverse and convenient passenger flight options in Latin America, through Bogota, Colombia; San Salvador, El Salvador; Lima, Peru; and San Jose, Costa Rica. The organization also offers a broad portfolio of air products and services, which include: air cargo services, mail, courier, specialized aeronautical services and vacation packages. This year, Avianca and TACA joined Star Alliance, the most important global alliance in terms of daily flights, destinations, and passenger benefits. With its incorporation to this network, all of Avianca and TACA´s passengers gain access to more than 20 thousand daily flights to more than 1.356 airports in the world, offered by the 28 Star Alliance member airlines. For more information visit taca.com, avianca.com, and staralliance.com.

About Star Alliance: The Star Alliance network was established in 1997 as the first truly global airline alliance to offer worldwide reach, recognition and international services to travelers. Its acceptance by the market has been recognized by numerous awards, including the Leadership Award at the Air Transport World Market and Best Airline Alliance by both Business Traveller Magazine and by the Skytrax passenger survey. The member airlines are: Adria Airways, Aegean Airlines, Air Canada, Air China, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, AviancaTaca, Blue1, Brussels Airlines, Copa Airlines, Croatia Airlines, EGYPTAIR, Ethiopian Airlines, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, SWISS, TAM Airlines, TAP Portugal, Turkish Airlines, THAI, United and U.S. Airways. EVA Air and Shenzhen Airlines have been announced as future members. Overall, the Star Alliance network offers more than 21,200 daily flights to 1.356 airports in 193 countries.

Avianca and Taca, members of Star Alliance, work together to provide world-class service that seeks to gain the preference of travelers. Jointly they offer the most complete travel option in Latin America through its hubs in Bogota, El Salvador, Lima and San Jose, and serve more than 100 destinations in the Americas and Europe.

If you wish to obtain more information, videos or download pictures, please visit our news center at: News.TACA.com.