Star Alliance partners Air Canada and Thai Airways have expanded code-share services between Vancouver and Bangkok via Tokyo … After 30 years with American Airlines, Executive Vice President of Marketing and Planning, Mike Gunn, has retired. He is replaced by Dan Garton, who has 20 years with American and most recently ran its global airport network. Before that, Garton served as president of American Eagle … Continental Airlines and J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. have launched a Continental Business MasterCard for small-business owners. Cardmembers will earn one Continental mile for every dollar spent, double on direct purchases from the airline, and up to 11 miles for every dollar spent at over 8,000 participating iDine restaurants nationwide. There is no limit to the number of miles that may be earned and there is no expiration date for the miles … Midway Airlines is flying again, but this time it’s under the auspices of US Airways. Midway had been the largest carrier out of Raleigh-Durham, but has been out of commission for six months. January 1 saw the initiation of service to Washington/Reagan as an extension of US Airways, and service from Raleigh/Durham to New York/LaGuardia should begin in February … United announced that it will spend $50 million on an advertising campaign to reassure customers the friendly skies will be around for a long time. The campaign, reportedly, will not mention the “b-word” — bankruptcy … Midwest Express Airlines told its customers last November that its brand-name change to “Midwest Airlines” would occur in 2003. Expect to hear from Midwest Express sometime in February (wonder if they will change other things?) … America West has partnered with Prime Rewards, the loyalty program of AmeriSuites and Wellesley Inns and Suites. Through February 28, FlightFund members will earn double miles for participating stays at those hotels … Barring an international crisis, UAE-based Emirates Airlines will begin its first-ever direct flights to the U.S. beginning in the first quarter of 2003. Its frequent flyer program, Skywards, is partnered with British Airways, Continental and United … Air Canada has been advised by the Canadian Competition Bureau that a complaint filed by rival Jetsgo has been dismissed. The complaint argued against Air Canada’s recent agreement with the government of Quebec for the provision of reduced fares on 15 regional routes and the purchase of government air travel from the airline … On March 1, Star Alliance will welcome Asiana as its newest member. Asiana serves cities across the Asian continent, including 13 in Korea, 12 in China and 13 in Japan … Members of Star Alliance programs can earn and redeem miles on all Asiana routes and all miles earned will count towards elite status … United has hired 47-year-old Douglas A. Hacker as its executive vice president for corporate strategy. Having previously served in an informal role as a corporate strategist, Hacker will be responsible for plotting a course out of Chapter 11.