Star Alliance opens the door to Brazil with new Airpass

Star Alliance™ today announced the introduction of an airpass for Brazil that will make traveling around this vast and fascinating country easier and more affordable than ever before.

The Star Alliance Varig Brazil Airpass, which goes on sale from January 1 next year, provides acces to 77 destinations in Brazil that are being served by almost 5,300 flights per week. Foreign nationals and Brazilians residing abroad can purchase this new product, which contains from four up to nine coupons with fares ranging from US$399 to US$899, excluding fees and taxes.

“Our new Airpass offers an extremely affordable way to travel through Brazil,” said Rainer Dittrich, Director, Revenue Management, Star Alliance. “A nine-coupon itinerary may cover more than 13,000 miles of travel in Brazil and customers can choose from more than 15,000 flights within the maximum 21-day timeframe. At US$899 plus applicable taxes, this is definitely value for money .”

The Star Alliance Varig Brazil Airpass is only sold in conjunction with a confirmed international Star Alliance flight to and from Brazil, or it can be purchased in South America with a condition attached that the first leg of the trip has to commence in Rio de Janeiro or Sao Paulo. The airpass is valid for travel on Star Alliance member VARIG Brazilian Airlines and its regional affiliates Rio-Sul and Nordeste. Full terms and conditions of the airpass are available at www.star-alliance.com.

The Star Alliance Varig Brazil Airpass will complement similar Star Alliance products that are available for travel in Europe and North America. Other Star Alliance special fare offerings include Round-the-World fares and a special Circle Pacific fare.

Star Alliance was established in May, 1997 as the first truly global airline alliance to provide customers the benefits of global reach and a smooth travel experience. The member airlines are Air Canada, Air New Zealand, ANA All Nippon Airways, Austrian Airlines, bmi, Lauda Air, Lufthansa German Airlines, Mexicana Airlines, SAS Scandinavian Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways International, Tyrolean Airways, United Airlines and VARIG Brazilian Airlines.

Asiana Airlines of South Korea, LOT Polish Airlines and Spanair of Spain will join Star Alliance in 2003. The future member carriers will further strengthen the Star Alliance network which currently serves 729 airports in 124 countries with almost 11,000 daily flights.