Star Alliance Names Theo Panagiotoulias as New CEO

Theo Panagiotoulias. Photo source: Star Alliance

Star Alliance, a leading airline alliance, recently announced the appointment of Theo Panagiotoulias as its new CEO.

Panagiotoulias will join Star Alliance from Hawaiian Airlines, where he served as Senior VP for Global Sales and Alliances since 2014.

According to the company, Panagiotoulias’ 25 years of international experience in the airline and aviation industry are expected to bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his new role.

Panagiotoulias has had a successful career in various prominent positions within the industry. Prior to his role at Hawaiian Airlines, he was the VP and GM (Asia Pacific) at Sabre Corporation, a leading travel technology provider. He also spent 15 years at American Airlines, where he held several commercial, operational, and management positions.

“Theo’s international commercial and airline experience has given him a good understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing our industry today. I believe he is the right person to lead Star Alliance into the future,” noted CEO of United Airlines and Chairman of the Star Alliance Chief Executive Board, Scott Kirby.

On his side, Panagiotoulias highlighted the importance of Star Alliance’s global reach and its commitment to providing a seamless passenger experience.

“I am honored that I have been chosen to lead the Star Alliance team and work directly with our 26 member carriers, as we continue to innovate as the world’s leading airline alliance,” he added.

Panagiotoulias will succeed Charlotta Wieland, who has served as Star Alliance’s interim CEO since January 2023. Wieland, who was seconded from SAS – Scandinavian Airlines, will return to SAS and rejoin Star Alliance’s Alliance Management Board as the representative for SAS.

As Panagiotoulias assumes his new role as CEO, he is expected to lead Star Alliance into a future of continued growth and innovation, ensuring that the alliance remains at the forefront of the global aviation industry.

Panagiotoulias has graduated from Haileybury College in Melbourne, Australia and completed the Advanced Leadership Programme at the University of Cambridge in the UK.