South African Airways (SAA) has become one step closer to officially becoming a member of the Star Alliance global airline network, with the repainting of two of its aircraft with Star Alliance livery.

The Star Alliance livery painted across the body of the aircraft took SAA Technical staff a total of four days to complete. Technicians worked on the aircraft 24 hours a day, with eight people per shift.

All Star Alliance members are required as part of the minimum joining requirements to paint at least three percent of their total number of aircraft with the distinct livery creating brand awareness across the globe.

Only two of SAA?s aircraft, an A340-600 and a Boeing 737-800 will be branded in the Star Alliance design, the rest of the fleet will remain as they are in the traditional SAA colours.

The aircraft is now back in service on SAA?s scheduled routes.

On April 10, 2006 SAA joins 16 other international airlines belonging to Star Alliance and will offer the network a unique experience. SAA will bring it Africa as it is the very first airline on the continent to become part of the alliance.

As the leading carrier in Africa, Star Alliance customers will benefit from the airline?s extensive network and internationally recognised service standards on the continent.

As a member of Star Alliance, SAA will offer its customers 852 destinations in 152 countries on more than 15 500 flights daily.

Star Alliance benefits to customers include that members of Star Alliance airline frequent flyer programmes can accumulate and redeem miles on all scheduled flights operated by Alliance airlines.

Customers will enjoy a seamless travel experience when flying with Star Alliance carriers from point to point, including convenient transfers, through-check to their final destination as apposed to checking in at each stop. They also get access to over 500 lounges across the world.