Juneyao Airlines (Shanghai Hongqiao) is now scheduled to join Star Alliance as a 'Connecting Partner' next week, reports Australian Business Traveller. Benefits to passengers using the Shanghai-based carrier include access for Star Alliance Gold members to lounges, fast-track security, additional baggage, and priority check-in, boarding, standby and baggage delivery. The perks are only available for flights connecting with a Star Alliance flight.

"We are looking forward to providing Star Alliance Gold Card holders with a wide selection of privileges when they connect to our airline," said Juneyao Airlines chair Wang Junjin.

Star Alliance introduced its Connecting Partner Model (CPM) program in December 2015 to allow select budget airlines to enter into bilateral commercial agreements with select member airlines. South African Airways (SA, Johannesburg O.R. Tambo) low-cost carrier subsidiary Mango Airlines (MNO, Johannesburg O.R. Tambo) is another connecting partner Star Alliance has integrated.

Juneyao Airlines started operations in 2006. It currently operates a fleet of forty-one A320-200s and eighteen A321-200s on domestic Chinese routes and short-haul international flights to neighbouring countries such as Japan, South Korea, and Thailand. The carrier plans to open new routes to North America, Europe, and Australia by 2020.