Yes, Star Alliance absolutely still exists and remains the world's largest and most successful global airline alliance as of 2026. Founded in 1997 by five charter members (United, Lufthansa, Air Canada, SAS, and Thai Airways), it has grown to include 26 member airlines covering virtually every corner of the globe. The alliance allows member airlines to share resources, such as airport lounges, and offers passengers a seamless travel experience through "codeshare" flights and synchronized frequent flyer programs. For travelers, the biggest benefit of Star Alliance's continued existence is the ability to earn and redeem miles across the entire network; for example, you can earn United MileagePlus miles on a flight operated by Singapore Airlines or Turkish Airlines. The alliance also maintains two "Elite" status tiers—Silver and Gold—which provide perks like priority boarding, extra baggage allowance, and lounge access regardless of which member airline you are flying. While the aviation industry has seen many mergers and shifts, Star Alliance continues to be a dominant force, competing directly with the other two major alliances, Oneworld and SkyTeam, to provide a truly integrated "round-the-world" travel network for both business and leisure passengers.