If you’re a frequent flyer who’s been earning or burning miles through Star Alliance, here’s a heads-up worth bookmarking: Asiana Airlines is officially leaving the alliance on December 16, 2026. The Korean carrier announced it will formally depart Star Alliance at 23:59 Korea Standard Time on that date, ending a run that started back in 2003. That’s more than two decades as a member of the world’s largest airline alliance. Here’s everything you need to know, including when you’ll stop earning alliance miles, when to redeem by, and
The Deadlines You Need to Know
This isn’t happening overnight, and Star Alliance has laid out a clear timeline for winding things down. Here’s what matters:
- October 15, 2026. The last day you can earn miles on Asiana-operated flights through any Star Alliance frequent flyer program. After that date, Asiana flights will no longer earn alliance mileage credit.
- December 1, 2026. Multiple sites suggest that this is the last day you can redeem your Asiana Airlines miles. However, the press release I received suggests you can redeem them up to the December 16th deadline. I suggest using the December 1st deadline when making your redemption plans, just to be safe.
- December 16, 2026. The final day you can redeem Star Alliance award tickets and upgrades on Asiana flights. Travel must be completed by this date, not just booked. Star Alliance Gold and Silver status perks, like priority services and lounge access, also expire on this date for Asiana travel.
If you’ve got miles to use or Asiana flights in mind, the clock is ticking.
What Happens to Seoul Service?
Losing Asiana doesn’t mean Star Alliance is pulling out of South Korea. Fourteen member airlines will continue operating flights to and from Incheon International Airport after Asiana’s departure, including heavy hitters such as United, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, Air Canada, Turkish Airlines, and EVA Air. Together, those carriers run more than 1,900 direct flights a month from Incheon to 29 destinations worldwide. Seoul isn’t going anywhere on the Star Alliance map.
Why Does This Matter?
Asiana is one of South Korea’s two major international carriers, so its departure is notable. However, it’s not the end of the world for Star Alliance loyalists flying through Seoul. The real pinch is for travelers who’ve specifically built Asiana into their award travel strategy. If you’re sitting on a pile of United miles, Chase points, or any other Star Alliance currency and had Asiana redemptions in mind, now’s the time to act before those October and December deadlines hit.
After Asiana’s exit, Star Alliance will be down to 25 member airlines. Even without Asiana, Star Alliance remains an enormous global network spanning more than 1,150 airports in 190 countries. Other major airlines in Star Alliance include United, Air Canada, ANA, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, and more.
What’s Happening To Asiana Airlines?
Asiana Airlines is merging with Korean Air, so it will cease to exist effective December 17, 2026. Korean Air bought Asiana in 2024, and it has let the airline operate independently for the last two years. Once the merger is complete, Asiana will become part of Korean Air and join the SkyTeam alliance.
If you have any Asiana miles, they’ll automatically convert over to Korean Air. However, the transfer ratio depends on how you earned the miles.
- Miles earned from flights. These miles transfer over on a 1:1 ratio.
- Miles earned from credit cards and other activities. Any other miles will convert on a 1:0.82 ratio, which means that you’ll lose 18% of your miles not earned from flying. So hold off on transferring any miles you aren’t planning on redeeming quickly.
The Bald Thoughts About Asiana Airlines Leaving Star Alliance
Airline alliance shake-ups rarely affect the average traveler in a big way, but this one has some real urgency baked in. There are two deadlines to remember: when you’ll stop earning miles and the last day to redeem (and travel must be completed by this date). The October 15 earn deadline is the sneaky one. It’s less than four months away, and most people won’t notice it until it’s gone. If Asiana is part of your travel plans this fall, sort out your mileage strategy now. The December redemption deadline gives you a bit more runway, but award space fills up fast once news like this circulates. Don’t be the person who finds out the hard way.
FAQs
When is Asiana Airlines leaving Star Alliance?
Asiana Airlines will officially exit Star Alliance on December 16, 2026, at 23:59 Korea Standard Time.
Can I still earn miles on Asiana flights after the announcement?
Yes, but not for long. You can earn miles through Star Alliance frequent flyer programs on Asiana-operated flights through October 15, 2026. After that date, Asiana flights no longer generate alliance mileage credit.
Can I still redeem miles for Asiana flights?
Yes, you can redeem Star Alliance award tickets and upgrades on Asiana through December 16, 2026, but your travel must be completed by that date, not just booked.
Will Star Alliance still serve Seoul after Asiana leaves?
Yes. Fourteen Star Alliance member airlines will continue operating at Incheon International Airport, including United, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, Air Canada, and Turkish Airlines, among others.
How many airlines will Star Alliance have after Asiana leaves?
Star Alliance will comprise 25 member airlines effective December 17, 2026. Major Star Alliance airlines include Swiss Airlines, TAP Air Portugal, United Airlines, Turkish Airlines, and Singapore Airlines.
