Star Alliance leaving BRS
 

Currently the only *A route at BRS is the SN operated BRS-BRU.

Until 28OCT17, this will be an SN operated flight, using BM wetleased aircraft and crew. It has SN flight numbers, with a BM codeshare.

From 29OCT17, this will become a BM operated flight (using the same aircraft and crew). It will have BM flight numbers, with SN codeshares.

I think this means *A will no longer be represented at BRS, which means no earning, but more significantly, no redemptions starting from BRS.

Is there any exception or precedent to allow a non *A operating airline to offer redemption inventory through a *A codeshare airline? I'm just wondering if there's any chance that SN will continue to offer redemption inventory, even if BM is the operating airline.

You currently can't redeem *A miles for BM-operated flights with LH codeshare flight numbers, so I suspect that the answer is "no".

LH Group's direction of pulling their main brands (LH, SN, OS, LX) out of intra-European traffic is really punching holes in the *A network.

LH have a complicated set of rules that let BM passengers on LH issued tickets with SEN status (or business tickets) use the LH lounges at FRA and MUC, so they can work out some solution if they try.

Apparently South African's "Mango" LCC is quasi-part of *A, so maybe there's hope for LH group to do the same with their multitude of outsourced regional operators?

The LH group doesn't have the equipment anymore to operate such thin regional routes, so they find operators to run it for them. BM seems to be willing to take the financial risk and operate the routes for LH/SN similar to some Italian routes operated by EN...

The business strategy behind it makes sense, but it is leaving the *A network with reduced connectivity within Europe.

I don't know how the Mango "workaround" is working in practice, and whether the idea of "regional partners" (which I think was once a thing in *A?) might re-surface.

It's not even possible for me to combine a revenue BRS-BRU/FRA/MUC/CDG ticket into a *A redemption, so I either have to risk mis-connecting, or travel to BHX or LHR to get a redemption flight.

Well, the *A network is about revenue sales, so the fact that LH Group codeshares the BM flights will ensure you can buy a LH/*A ticket and experience the network effect. ;)

That seems like a lop-sided bargain. You can spend cash with us but you can't earn/redem your miles, or experience any of your other *A benefits.

Genius. :D

That puts back BRS to having EI / OW (to DUB) and KL / ST (to AMS). Bye *A.

Been that way in Thailand for awhile. Secondary cities are now served by Thai Smile, an offshoot of Thai Airways that is not part of Star Alliance.

Makes it impossible to redeem to/from the secondary cities in Thailand, and no Star Alliance benefits when you now have to book them separately.

Sucks.

Same in Germany where LH are withdrawing from all routes except those to FRA and MUC. Everything else is going to EW, who are not part of *A, but have a set of agreements with LH - but only for LH customers, not *A.

I haven't found it to be that big of a problem if you're just flying around in Thailand. You can fly TG from BKK to USM, HKT, CNX & KBV. It's cheap enough and didn't really need any benefits flying Bangkok Air USM-CNX, Kaan Hua Hin-CNX or Nok CNX-Udon Thani.

I fly to true secondary cities...UTH (Udon Thani), CEI (Chiang Rai), etc. You just can't have these as a destination when booking 016 tickets, either revenue nor award. So now I am exposed to irrops risk, which is a much bigger deal to me than the $30 USD airfare.

And forget using excursionist perk, even though all these destinations are in the same region.

The degradation of Star Alliance network has many facets...