SHENZHEN Airlines has expanded its flight network, enhanced the benefits for global travelers and created more benefits for its own staff in the past five years since it joined the Star Alliance family. Through business alliances and resource sharing, Shenzhen Airlines has shared codes with six other Star Alliance members, enabling customers to reach 1,300 destinations in 190 countries and regions with seamless transfers and enhanced frequent flyer benefits. After its integration into Star Alliance, Shenzhen Airlines expanded its service network by making full use of the global network resources of Star Alliance and extended its global reach by coordinating flight schedules and connecting flights with other Star Alliance members. As of now, Air China, Singapore Airlines, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines and EVA Air are sharing codes with Shenzhen Airlines. The integration into the Star Alliance global network, which has 21,000 daily flights to 1,300 destinations, attracts business travelers and increases the use of flights as well as the income of Shenzhen Airlines. To improve efficiency of data exchange with other member airlines and better serve high-end customers, Shenzhen Airlines has started active cooperation with Star Alliance for the construction of two data banks, PAI HUB and PCD HUB. PAI HUB will be helpful for travelers accumulating mileage, while PCD HUB will enable alliance members to share the information of high-end customers in order to better serve them. Star Alliance Upgrade Awards (SAUA) is one of Star Alliance’s important products. It allows a traveler to use accumulated miles or points to “pay for” an upgrade, to fly in a higher class than the original booking. This award, introduced in 2005, is applicable across all 28 member airlines. It is the only alliance to offer this benefit between all its airlines. Since the integration, Shenzhen Airlines has implemented the requirements and rules of Star Alliance at each level, reviewed its operation in line with the international standards which are abided by 28 airlines, and provided convenient transfer services to international travelers under the Move Under One Roof Initiative in which member airlines are accommodated under one roof, for example, with common check-in facilities in the same terminal and mutual access to their lounges. All Star Alliance airlines are now under one roof at airports in Bangkok, Beijing, Miami, Tokyo-Narita, Seoul and Singapore. As part of its seamless travel promise, Shenzhen Airlines offers through check-in for passengers connecting to or from another Star Alliance member flight. The airline has improved the quality of its check-in service team through more detailed training, and expanded and diversified its services by introducing dispensers for electronic check-in, opening counters and setting up high-end check-in halls for Star Alliance Silver and Gold card holders. Card holders enjoy benefits such as priority airport check-in, baggage handling and boarding. Shenzhen Airlines has also improved the construction of Star Alliance lounges. The six lounges in Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Xi’an, Shenyang, Nanjing and Wuxi have rest halls, VIP rooms, baby rooms, a shower and dining areas. Star Alliance travelers can enjoy baggage consignment, free Wi-Fi, boarding guidance, shuttles to remote boarding gates, and flight inquiry and change services. At present, more than 1,000 Star Alliance lounges are available globally. This October, the wide-body A330 aircraft was put into service on routes from Shenzhen to Chengdu and Beijing. It will also serve intercontinental routes, and lay a foundation for closer connectivity with other Star Alliance members. After the integration, flights operated by Shenzhen Airlines can be booked as part of Star Alliance fares, including Round-the-World and Circle Pacific. This enables travelers to spend less while enjoying more benefits. Shenzhen Airlines and its employees also benefit in terms of operational costs and business traveling. Shenzhen Airlines has developed employee ticket cooperation with Lufthansa Airlines and Air Canada, and will promote a Star Alliance Gold Track priority lane, which allows travelers to proceed more smoothly through security, bypassing the usual lines. Gold Track is currently available in more than 140 locations globally and is being rolled out airport by airport across its network. Gold card holders (including those traveling in Economy Class) or customers flying with a member airline in First Class or Business Class are all eligible for Star Alliance Gold Track access. Founded in 1997, Star Alliance is one of the world’s largest global airline alliances. (Han Ximin) ? | 