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Over the past 30 years, airlines worldwide have formed airline alliances to integrate services, retain customers, and provide better service for international travelers. The three largest airline alliances competing for global market share are Star Alliance, SkyTeam, and Oneworld. They enable convenient long-haul itineraries with connections and reward loyal customers with points and miles that can be redeemed.
Star Alliance is the oldest and largest alliance. Founded in 1997 by five airlines from three continents, it is headquartered in Frankfurt and leads in market share as well as member count. The alliance currently has 25 members, with ITA Airways expected to join in the coming months after Lufthansa, one of Star’s co-founders, acquired it.
SkyTeam was established in 2000 by its four founding members: Aeroméxico, Air France, Delta Air Lines, and Korean Air. Vietnam Airlines, representing Vietnam, is currently a member of SkyTeam.
Oneworld has faced additional issues in recent years, including tensions between Qatar Airways and its founding members, American Airlines and Qantas. These tensions stem from perceptions of unfair competition and business practices arising from subsidies that Qatar Airways receives from its government.
In Latin America, Oneworld also lost its presence after Delta Airlines, a founding member of SkyTeam, purchased a stake in LATAM Group in 2020. LATAM, the largest airline in Latin America, left Oneworld, leaving no presence for the alliance in the region. Two years later, Russia’s Aeroflot and S7 Airlines were suspended by their respective alliances following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The European, Chinese, and American markets have long been the most competitive arenas among the three alliances. The three major U.S. carriers—Delta, American, and United—are founders of their own alliances and have cooperated with international partners to provide better long-haul connectivity.
China’s airline market primarily competes between members of Star Alliance and SkyTeam, while Europe has seen particularly intense competition between SkyTeam and Oneworld in Spain and the United Kingdom.
In Latin America, the remaining three alliances have four members in total; each of Star and SkyTeam has two members.
Africa remains a key growth opportunity for alliances, with large markets such as Ghana or Nigeria lacking representation in any of the three alliances.
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