In what year was Star Alliance founded?

Star Alliance was founded in 1997.

The alliance was launched by Air Canada, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Thai Airways International and United Airlines. Its creation marked a major step in airline cooperation, allowing members to coordinate networks, schedules, frequent-flyer benefits and airport facilities while remaining separate companies.

Star Alliance was the first major global airline alliance. Its early slogan described a network intended to provide broad worldwide connectivity through partner airlines rather than through a single carrier operating every route.

It is often confused with airline mergers or codeshare agreements. An alliance does not combine airlines into one legal company. Instead, independent carriers cooperate under a common framework. Star Alliance is also distinct from oneworld and SkyTeam, which were established later.