EVA Air joined the Star Alliance network on June 18, 2013, further strengthening the group's presence in the Asia/Pacific region. Since it was established more than 16 years ago, Star Alliance has progressively built its Asia/Pacific presence and, today, has eight member-carriers based in the region. The thriving market grew by 5.2 percent in 2012 and continues to demonstrate increasing demand for air travel. Now, including EVA, 19 Star Alliance-member airlines operate more than 4,000 daily flights to, from and within the Asia/Pacific region, connecting 280 airports in 44 countries.

"Star Alliance membership gives us the privilege of serving new customers from all corners of the globe and introducing our passengers to the seamless services and status recognition that the Alliance provides," said EVA President Austin Cheng. "Membership also gives us the opportunity to introduce more travelers to new ways of connecting to destinations throughout Asia via our hub in Taipei."

Star Alliance's mission is to provide seamless global air travel for high-value international travelers. As a member, EVA offers its passengers access to a global network of 28 airlines that together operate more than 21,900 daily flights to 1,328 airports in 195 countries. At the same time, EVA's membership adds airports unique to the network, Kaohsiung in Taiwan and Surabaya in Indonesia. It also expands the Alliance's presence in the important Cross-Strait or China market, one that has grown from an annual passenger volume of just over 3 million in 2009 to approximately 9 million in 2012. And because Taiwan's geographic location is the shortest average distance to and from all major Asia/Pacific cities, EVA's Taoyuan International Airport is an important hub for the Alliance. In total, Star Alliance now offers 10 Asia/Pacific hubs that, in addition to Taoyuan, include Narita and Haneda in Tokyo, Incheon in Seoul, Pudong in Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen, Bangkok, Singapore and Auckland.

With its Star Alliance membership, EVA now offers passengers through check-in to final destinations on connecting flights operated by other Star Alliance-member airlines and provides seamless travel for both passengers and baggage. Passengers gain the benefits and convenience of collecting boarding passes for all connecting flights when they check-in for the first flight without having to rush to transfer counters at transit airports and, as long as local customs regulations allow, having their baggage sent all the way through to final destinations.

Members in EVA Infinity MileageLands Frequent Flyer Program (FFP) (formerly Evergreen Club) can also collect and redeem miles on all Star Alliance-member airlines. MileageLands Diamond and Gold Card holders enjoy Star Alliance Gold Status and are entitled to privileges such as access to more than 1,000 lounges across the globe, extra baggage allowance on all Star Alliance-member airlines and priority baggage delivery. Other Star Alliance members' frequent flyers can look forward to the same conveniences and privileges whenever they travel on EVA.

In addition, EVA is participating in several of Star Alliance's fare products. For business travel, EVA flights can be included in Star Alliance Corporate Plus agreements designed for large multinational companies. EVA also offers Star Alliance Conventions Plus and Meetings Plus, dedicated industry products especially welcome in Taiwan where several multinational companies are based, foreign trade has driven industrial growth for the past 40 years and more than 200 events are held annually.

EVA boosts the attractiveness of the Alliance's most popular fare product, the Star Alliance Round the World Fare (RTW). Available for travel in First, Business and Economy Classes, this fare allows customers to travel around the globe, using the entire 28-member airline network. Passengers can book RTW fares and travel on all EVA flights, either through the Book & Fly online booking tool*, via an airline or through a travel agency.

EVA is offering the Star Alliance Circle Pacific Fare, too, allowing circular round-trips to Asian countries bordering the Pacific such as Taiwan, the main international hub airports on the West Coasts of Canada and the USA and the South Pacific, primarily Australia and New Zealand.

EVA Air is included in the Asia Airpass as well, alongside all other Asia-based Star Alliance member airlines. This special coupon- and mileage-based fare is available to all overseas visitors to the region who are traveling on Star Alliance-member airlines. It allows passengers to fly around Asia, including Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.