Asiana Airlines, Korea’s second largest airline, will leave Star Alliance on December 16, 2026, at midnight. The move is a consequence of Asiana being integrated into Korean Air, which is a member of rival alliance SkyTeam.
Korean Air launched its bid to acquire Asiana in November 2020, but the deal had to go through a regulatory approval which took several years. The reason for this protracted process was that competition authorities in several jurisdictions, including the European Union and the United States, examined the deal and placed some conditions upon it before it could be approved. These included ceding some routes to other airlines and divesting Asiana’s cargo business.
Asiana’s full integration into Korean Air was finally given the green light in May 2026, with the former expected to cease trading as a separate brand on December 17, 2026. Asiana’s two low-cost subsidiaries, Air Seoul and Air Busan, will also be folded into Korean Air’s own budget carrier, Jin Air.
When it comes to Asiana’s transition out of Star Alliance, members of Star Alliance loyalty programs will still be able to earn on Asiana until October 15, 2026. Likewise, they will be able to enjoy their loyalty status benefits and spend miles on Asiana flights up until December 16, 2026.
By merging with its traditional rival, Asiana ends almost a quarter century of Star Alliance membership. The Korean airline joined Star Alliance in 2003, which makes it one of the longest-standing members of the alliance.
Despite Asiana’s departure, Star Alliance will remain the world’s largest alliance with 25 members.