Star Alliance Connection Service now at Chicago O’Hare

Service offers proactive help for Star Alliance passengers on tight connections

The Star Alliance Connection Service is now in use at Chicago O’Hare International Airport.

The service helps arriving passengers to reach their onward flight with another Star Alliance member.

The Star Alliance Connection Service comes into action if an incoming flight is delayed. Software monitors the transfer window for passengers with an onward flight and flags any cases where a passenger and any checked bags appear in danger of missing a connection.

Passengers arriving on international flights need to clear customs and immigration before connecting.  Those benefiting from the Connection Service can use the Express Connection lane, to enable them to get through customs and immigration quicker. Checked bags that need to be rechecked are specially tagged so they are handled faster.

The new service will carry new branding that will be progressively rolled out for similar services operating at 11 major airports around the world.

Chicago is the fourth biggest transfer hub for Star Alliance worldwide, with almost 750,000 passengers connecting from one Star Alliance carrier to another each year.

Star Alliance Connection Service – How it works

Star Alliance Connection Service infographic
An infographic explaining the Connection Service process

Star Alliance VP Customer Experience Christian Draeger:

“It is frustrating for customers, and indeed for the airlines, when relatively small delays have the knock-on effect that a connection is missed.

“Connection Service staff are alerted as soon as a connection is at risk. They meet the customer on arrival and take the necessary steps to ensure that the customer and the bags are expedited and reach their onward flight. If a connection cannot be reached, the customer is assisted with re-booking.”

Star Alliance members at Chicago O’Hare

There are currently 15 Star Alliance members at O’Hare: Air Canada, Air India, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, Avianca, Copa Airlines, EVA Air, Lufthansa, LOT Polish Airlines, SAS, SWISS, Turkish Airlines and United.

N.B. Image credit: staralliance.com

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