SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS has applied to join Star Alliance and is expected to become a full member by the end of June. The state-owned airline said in a statement that Lufthansa had agreed to sponsor its application. Established in 1997, Star Alliance members are: Air Canada, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, bmi, LOT, Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Mexicana Airlines, Scandinavian Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Spanair, Thai Airways International, United, and VARIG Brazilian Airlines. US Airways is scheduled to join the alliance in 2004. At the same time SAA has taken delivery of its first Airbus A340-300E, which is the first ”enhanced” version of this Airbus type. SAA will receive six A340-300E by 2005.
http://www.staralliance.com