Continental joining Star Alliance will give THAI access to NYC

       Thai Airways International expects more long-haul passengers travelling between Asia, North America and Europe now that Continental Airlines has joined the Star Alliance, the world's largest airline grouping.
       Pridi Boonsue, executive vice president of THAI, a founding member of the alliance, said his airline hoped to gain more passengers travelling between the three continents, because New York-based Continental served the East Coast of the United States.
       From New York City, Continental connects to 21 European destinations, while THAI operates in 10, so passengers travelling between Asia and North America can switch between the two airlines in major cities in Europe.
       THAI halted its direct Bangkok-New York route last year, due to high oil prices. However, it expects the new member to help THAI recapture long-haul passengers.
       "Travellers from Thailand to the US will need two to four hours for transit in Europe, or they can even take a holiday there," said Pridi. "Passengers had no choice with the transits. Now they have more options."
       THAI presently operates between Bangkok and Los Angeles, California via Tokyo's Narita Airport.
       Continental is the 25th member of the Star Alliance. Its membership follows last year's announcement of a strategic partnership between it and United Airlines.
       Star Alliance customers can now choose from among 19,500 daily flights serving 1,071 airports in 171 countries.
       In addition to the network benefits, Continental flights can now be used to create itineraries for both the Star Alliance's "Round the World" programme and the North American Airpass. Moreover, Continental will sell all 13 Star Alliance fare products and participate in the Star Alliance Conventions Plus programme.
       Continental's participation occurs at a time when the airline industry is witnessing an upswing in air demand.
       Yet Chew Choon Seng, CEO of Singapore Airlines, the world's fourth-largest carrier by market value, recently told a Star Alliance press conference it was too soon to say whether a rebound in air travel last month marked the beginnings of a long-term revival in demand.
       Singapore Airlines last month filled 80.9 per cent of its available seats, its highest tally this year.
       "The bottom has been reached. Demand has stabilised and even started to grow from September," Chew said.
       However, he added: There is not enough evidence yet to conclude that we are back on a firm trail to recovery."
       Cathay Pacific Airways CEO Tony Tyler also said he was "cautious" about airlines' prospects, because the global recession continued to dampen demand.