In Tuesday's WSJ:


Chinese flag carrier Air China will follow through on its pledge to join the Star Alliance of airlines, a senior Air China executive said. Air China wants to join Star because the Beijing-based carrier has close ties to two of the alliance's members, Lufthansa and UAL Corp.'s United Airlines, and says it believes they can help it improve profitability and service on its long-haul flights to Europe and the U.S., Air China Executive Vice President Cai Jianjiang said in an interview.

To join the Star Alliance, Air China must upgrade and coordinate its operations with alliance members in 55 specific areas. The biggest hurdle will be for it to improve its information technology for reservations and ticketing, Mr. Cai said. "We need about a year to work on these areas" and meet all the requirements for joining Star, he said. Air China and United have partnered on reciprocal ticket sales, frequent-flyer benefits and access to airport lounges since 2003.

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http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1151...s_my_companies