The Star Alliance announced plans to grow from their current 21 airline size to up to 50 carriers.  The airline network was first established in 1997 as a global airline alliance to offer customers worldwide reach.  The network offers more than 17,000 daily flights to 916 destinations in 160 countries. Star Alliance helps passengers with frequent flyer programs and lounge access, but has also set up a system by which one alliance can try to use their combined stretch as a knockout punch to other alliances and carriers.  The Star Allliance, www.StarAlliance.com, which includes such carriers as Lufthansa, United, Singapore, US Airways, and Scandanavian, will add Continental and Copa (Panamanian) in October of 2009.   Fellowship Travel offers highly discounted airfares with flexible rules for most all Star Alliance carriers.  Check out our booking engine at www.Fellowship.com.