Star Alliance launches range of special round-the-world fares from Australia

Star Alliance, the world's largest partnership of airlines, has introduced a competitive range of special round-the-world fares from Australia.

The fares enable passengers to visit multiple destinations with a combination of Star carriers at very affordable prices.

There are two types of round the world fare using the Star carriers.

The first option is a seasonal Economy Class deal permitting a maximum of 5 stops and 26,000 miles of travel. There are two seasons of travel for this fare - Basic and High - the dates of which are listed at the end of this release.

The second option offers up to 15 stops and three classes of travel - First Business and Economy Class - and has no seasonal price differences.

For each class of travel on the 15-stop option, passengers can choose an itinerary covering up to 29,000, 34,000 or 39,000 miles.

Sample itineraries follow from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

From Sydney:

5 stop option: Sydney - Los Angeles - London (Air New Zealand), London - Frankfurt - Hong Kong (Lufthansa), Hong Kong - Singapore - Sydney (Singapore Airlines). Basic season fare $2695 including taxes.

15 stop option: Sydney - Bangkok - Delhi (Thai International), Delhi - Frankfurt - Istanbul - Munich (Lufthansa), Munich - Oslo - London (SAS), London - Montreal - Toronto - New York (Air Canada), New York - Los Angeles (United Airlines), Los Angeles - Papeete - Auckland - Christchurch - Sydney (Air New Zealand). Fares based on a 29,000 mile journey are Economy Class $3402 including taxes, Business Class $8769 including taxes and First Class $11,969 including taxes.

From Melbourne:

5 stop option: Melbourne - Los Angeles (United Airlines), Los Angeles - London (Air New Zealand), London - Frankfurt - Hong Kong (Lufthansa), Hong Kong - Singapore - Melbourne (Singapore Airlines). Basic season fare of $2673 including taxes.

15 Stop option: Melbourne - Bangkok - Delhi (Thai International), Delhi - Frankfurt - Istanbul - Munich (Lufthansa), Munich - Oslo - London (SAS), London - Montreal - Toronto - New York (Air Canada), New York - Los Angeles (United Airlines), Los Angeles - Papeete - Auckland - Christchurch - Melbourne (Air New Zealand.) Fares based on a 29,000 mile journey are Economy Class $3386 including taxes, Business Class $8753 including taxes, First Class $11,953 including taxes.

From Brisbane:

5 stop option: Brisbane - Auckland - Los Angeles - London (Air New Zealand), London - Frankfurt - Singapore (Lufthansa German Airlines) and Singapore - Brisbane (Singapore Airlines). Basic season fare: $2,654, including taxes.

15 stop option: Brisbane - Bangkok - Delhi (Thai International), Delhi - Frankfurt - Istanbul - Munich (Lufthansa German Airlines), Munich - Oslo - London (SAS), London - Montreal - Toronto - New York (Air Canada), New York - Los Angeles (United Airlines) and Los Angeles - Papeete - Auckland - Christchurch - Brisbane (Air New Zealand). Fares based on a 29,000 mile journey are: $3385 Economy Class including taxes, $8752 Business Class including taxes or $11,952 First Class including taxes.

The prices featured above are based on the shortest mileage itineraries, and may vary with other route options.

Included taxes are accurate at date of this news release, but can change without notice due to currency rate fluctuations. Travel agents will advise upon booking.

For the five stop option, the Basic Season applies from 1 January - 31 May, 20 August - 6 December, and 25 December - 31 December. The High season applies from 1 June - 19 August and 7 December - 24 December.

Star Alliance is comprised of 14 airlines - Air New Zealand, Air Canada, All Nippon Airways, Austrian, BMI (formerly British Midland), Lauda Air, Lufthansa, Mexicana, SAS, Singapore Airlines, Thai International, Tyrolean, United Airlines and Varig.

Together, these carriers fly to a total of 729 destinations in 124 countries.