News from Star Alliance

United Airlines plans to start daily flights between Newark Liberty International Airport and Istanbul, July 1, subject to government approval. Westbound service from Istanbul begins July 2. more

United Airlines is upgrading its premium-cabin services to offer customers new food and beverage options, additional choices in in-flight entertainment, and – on long-haul international flights – new amenity kits, pillows and blankets. United is also rebranding its international, long-haul premium-cabin services by introducing United Global First, the international first-class on three-cabin aircraft and United BusinessFirst, international business-class on two-cabin and three-cabin aircraft.  more

The newest Star Alliance member, Ethiopian, has ordered five Q400 aircraft from Bombardier. Currently, Ethiopian operates eight Q400 NextGen aircraft within a fleet of 48 airplanes. more

United Continental Holdings distributed US$265 million in profit sharing to employees based on the combined full-year financial results of its subsidiaries, United Airlines and Continental Airlines. The company is paying eligible employees approximately 5% of their annual pay for profit sharing. more

Following the revolution in Egypt that left many people injured, EGYPTAIR has delivered a shipment of wheelchairs and clothing donated by the Seattle-based organisation Egyptian Scientists and Engineers (EASE). The shipment arrived in Cairo in February onboard EGYPTAIR’s new Boeing 737-800 delivery flight from Seattle.  more

Marco Antonio Bologna will assume the role of CEO of airline operations while current CEO Libano Barroso will remain as TAM S.A.'s CFO and Investor Relations Director. more

Star Alliance has launched its "Picture your Upgrade" promotion on Facebook. The contest runs through April 4. Customers are asked to take photos that illustrate the Alliance's Gold benefits and enter the photos for weekly and final contest draws. more