world, with tickets being automatically issued electronically. The booking engine is currently available in English and Japanese, with further languages to be added at a future stage.

"In today's world, selling through the internet is an essential distribution channel. Our alliance fare products offer a unique way of exploring the vast number of destinations served by our member airlines; however the complexity of these multi-airline fares does not allow for easy automation. Hence it is even more satisfying that with the Circle Fares, we now have multiple products available for online booking and ticketing", said Christopher Korenke, Vice President Commercial, Star Alliance.

Star Alliance has three different Circle Fares on offer: Circle Asia, Circle North Asia and Circle Pacific. These fares are designed to facilitate travel between destinations across the Pacific Rim using various Star Alliance member carriers. The Circle Asia Fare allows travel between South East Asia, North Asia and the South West Pacific, while the Circle North Asia Fare is for travel between Japan, Korea, Mainland China (including Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR). Taking customers the furthest is the Circle Pacific Fare, which allows travel between Asia, Australasia and the Pacific Coast of Canada and the USA. Customers select the destinations covered by the respective Circle Fare, creating a personalised circular itinerary. The fare is calculated by the total distance travelled and cabin class, whereby passengers have the choice of purchasing First, Business or Economy Class. Travel needs to begin and end in the same country.