13

May

TAM joined the Star Alliance today.

Never heard of TAM? They’re the the biggest airline in the Southern Hemisphere and they’re based in Brazil. They fly to Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Paraguay, Peru, Venezuela, the US, and the biggest destinations in Europe.

TAM appears to have a nice new first class product, not true suites (and no doors – hah!) but certainly a good looking seat. So you know I’m happy with their joining Star! Maybe I can convince US Airways to route a US – Europe award via Sao Paolo?

Wednesday night S&P downgraded TAM’s debt but the timing seems odd. Their concern is that yields won’t recover sufficiently in the Brazilian market, but goodness knows that the Star tie-in should help.

Most importantly, the ANA Mileage Club award search website – the Star Alliance award search tool killer app – has already been updated such that it includes TAM when searching award availability. Thanks much to the folks in Japan!

6 Comments

  1. robbie said,

    have you booked with usair larely? i have been finding that their agents are much more in the know than they used to be and much less willing to do crazy routings and stopovers…

  2. robbie said,

    (than they used to be)

  3. The Global Traveller said,

    Gary,

    I was waiting for your post with a mention of award
    availability, and you haven’t disappointed.

  4. JAR said,

    Cool! More South America options in Star will be a really good thing.

  5. Air India’s Entry Into Star Alliance Delayed Until March 2011 - View from the Wing said,

    [...] the heels of Brazilian carrier TAM joining Star Alliance, comes news that Air India’s entry is delayed [...]

  6. TAM joins Star Alliance — be very excited! - One Mile at a Time said,

    [...] of the hat to Gary) var addthis_language = 'en';var addthis_options = 'email, print, twitter, facebook, digg, [...]

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