Star Alliance has expanded its network further with the incorporation of Portugal's flag carrier.
TAP is the 16th member of the alliance and brings 42 destinations in 25 countries. Its greatest strengths are routes to former colonies in Africa including Cape Verde Islands, Guinea Bissau, Angola, Mozambique, Principe and San Tome.
TAP also offers flights from its hub in Lisbon to destinations in north-east Brazil including Fortaleza, Natal, Recife and Salvador, dramatically cutting flight times to the region for Star Alliance passengers. Another Star Alliance member is VARIG Brazilian Airlines, which offers flights between Europe (London, Frankfurt, Madrid and Lisbon) and Rio, Salvador and Sao Paulo.
Other TAP routes include domestic flights to Madeira and the Azores.
The integration of TAP to Star Alliance brings reciprocal frequent flyer programme benefits so TAP passengers can earn and redeem miles with Star Alliance carriers and vica versa.
South African Airways will be another addition to the Star Alliance this year. The other members are Air Canada, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, bmi, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Spanair, Thai Airways International, United, US Airways and VARIG Brazilian Airlines.
