In this post:
Asiana Star Alliance Exit Date Confirmed
Star Alliance has now confirmed the official departure date for Asiana Airlines. Having been a member of the alliance since 2003, Asiana will leave on 16th December 2026.
This follows Korean Air’s acquisition of Asiana, which was first announced in November 2020 and completed in December 2024. Once the integration is complete, the Asiana brand will disappear, and the airline will be fully merged into Korean Air on 17th December 2026.
16th December will be the final day that Star Alliance Silver and Gold members can enjoy reciprocal benefits when flying Asiana, including lounge access for Gold members.
The good news is that Star Alliance will still have a large presence at Incheon Airport, with 14 member airlines operating around 1,900 direct flights each month to 29 destinations.
If you’re planning to earn or redeem Star Alliance miles on Asiana, there are some important deadlines to be aware of.
The last day to earn miles on Asiana flights by crediting them to another Star Alliance airline is 15th October 2026.
Award booking deadlines vary by airline:
- 31st October 2026 – Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Copa Airlines and Air New Zealand.
- 30th November 2026 – Ethiopian Airlines, LOT Polish Airlines, Air India, ANA and EgyptAir.
- 16th December 2026 – Singapore Airlines, United, Air Canada, EVA Air, Air China, South African Airways, Thai Airways, TAP Air Portugal and Shenzhen Airlines.
- Members of Turkish Airlines, Aegean, Avianca and Croatia Airlines can continue to book Asiana award flights until 16th December 2026, with travel permitted until 16th December 2027 under the transition arrangements.
If you’re hoping to earn or redeem miles on Asiana before it leaves Star Alliance, make sure you keep these dates in mind.
Double Leaders Club Points at 80+ Luxury Hotels Worldwide
The latest promotion from The Leading Hotels of the World is well worth a look if you’re planning a luxury getaway. Leaders Club members can earn 2X Leaders Club points per US$1 spent when booking eligible hotels in the Explore Collection.
Eligible hotels are those included in the book Explore: Leading Hotels of the World.
The offer is valid on eligible bookings made by 30th June 2026, for stays completed by 21st September 2026.
The collection includes more than 80 hotels, with a focus on wellness, adventure and immersive travel experiences, from famous golf destinations to desert stargazing retreats and mountain hideaways.
Though properties are available worldwide, most are located in Europe, and there are some incredible options to choose from.
The book is available to pre-order for £54.95
Discover properties in Europe >>
Ryanair Changes Family Seating Policy After CMA Investigation
Ryanair has made a major change to its family seating policy following the Competition and Markets Authority’s investigation launched earlier this month.
The investigation is examining whether Ryanair was unfairly charging parents for something it may already be required to provide under aviation safety and disability rules, and whether the mandatory seat fee was added later in the booking process rather than included in the advertised fare.
From 25th June, families booking new flights will be able to sit together with no charge. Until now, Ryanair required at least one adult travelling with children aged 2-11 to purchase a seat, while up to 4 children were given a free seat next to and/or near the adult. The removal of this rule puts Ryanair in line with other UK airlines.
Families who do not wish to pay for seat selection will receive adjacent seats free of charge after check-in. The exact seat number will not be confirmed until check-in opens. If you’re happy to let Ryanair allocate your seats, you won’t have to pay to guarantee your child sits with you.
Seats will usually be allocated at the back of the aircraft, which is worth keeping in mind, especially if you’re travelling with children and you’d like to reduce your chances of sitting near, or you’d prefer to sit nearer the front.
Existing bookings made before 25th June keep their original terms unchanged, as those were the conditions at the time of booking.
Ryanair has been very critical of the intervention.
CEO Michael O’Leary said:
“We will reluctantly adjust to this industry standard as we don’t want to waste time explaining to misguided regulators how badly they misunderstand what is in the best interest of UK and Europe’s consumers,”
Ryanair says the change will have no material impact on its revenues, which raises the question of why it wasn’t introduced sooner. Time will tell as to whether any ajustments will be made elsewhere.
