Points Miles and Bling (blog) contains referral or affiliate links. The blog receives a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your continued support. Credit Card issuers are not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. For full details, current product information, and Terms and Conditions, click the link included.
Back in December 2025, we first learned that the long-anticipated merger between Asiana Airlines and Korean Air was moving toward completion, with a target timeline of December 2026. We now have a firm date. Asiana Airlines will officially leave the Star Alliance on December 16, 2026, upon completing its integration into Korean Air. For Aeroplan members specifically, Asiana award space remains bookable until December 16, 2026, subject to availability.
Beginning December 17, 2026, Star Alliance will operate as a 25-airline alliance, and the Asiana Airlines brand will cease to exist as a standalone airline. For North American travellers, Asiana has long operated non-stop flights between Seoul and several U.S. gateways, including:
- New York (JFK) – operated with both Airbus A380 and Airbus A350 aircraft
- Seattle (SEA)
- San Francisco (SFO)
- Los Angeles (LAX)
- Honolulu (HNL)
Asiana A380 business class
According to Star Alliance, following Asiana Airlines’ departure from Star Alliance, 14 Star Alliance member airlines will continue to operate to and from Incheon International Airport, including Air Canada, Air China, Air India, Air New Zealand, EVA Air, Ethiopian Airlines, Lufthansa, LOT Polish Airlines, SWISS, Singapore Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Thai Airways, Turkish Airlines, and United.
Asiana Airlines has also confirmed ticketing deadlines for Star Alliance partner awards, which vary depending on the Star Alliance carrier issuing the award ticket.
- Tickets issued by Copa Airlines, Lufthansa, Swiss International Air Lines, Air New Zealand, Austrian Airlines, and Brussels Airlines must be ticketed on or before October 31, 2026.
- Tickets issued by Air India, Ethiopian Airlines, LOT Polish Airlines, EgyptAir, and All Nippon Airways must be ticketed on or before November 30, 2026.
- Tickets issued by Air Canada, EVA Air, Air China, South African Airways, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways, TAP Air Portugal, United Airlines, and Shenzhen Airlines must be ticketed on or before December 16, 2026.
- A separate group of Star Alliance carriers will allow travel beyond the alliance exit date. For Aegean Airlines, Avianca, Croatia Airlines, Turkish Airlines, ticketing must occur on or before December 16, 2026, and travel can take place on or before December 16, 2027
Takeaway
Aeroplan members will continue to have access to Asiana Airlines award inventory until December 16, 2026. Any award travel involving Asiana should ideally be planned and ticketed before that date.
The confirmation of Asiana Airlines’ Star Alliance exit date brings certainty to a process that has been unfolding since the merger with Korean Air was first announced. December 16, 2026, will mark the end of Asiana’s participation in the alliance and the beginning of a 25-member Star Alliance.
Featured Image Credit: Asiana Airlines
