I originally posted something on the Lufthansa site because I thought it couldn't be true but see http://www.csn.ul.ie/~richie/civil/snipp/sia.htm--looks like it is true and that is good news!:

Singapore Airlines is set to become the seventh member of the Star Alliance group of airlines. On November 25, it officially broke out of its alliance with Delta and Swissair, and has now signed and initial bilateral agreement with Lufthansa, the Star Alliance founder. As part of this agreement, SIA and Lufthansa will add 3 flights a week between Singapore and Frankfurt from April next, bring the total to 10 apiece. The Star Alliance already includes Air Canada, SAS, Thai Airways International, United Airlines, and Varig of Brazil. Air New Zealand and Ansett have both expressed interest in joining the alliance, and star continues to negotiate with South African Airlines, Cathy Pacific Airways, and All Nippon Airways. There is, however, only room for two more members.

Maybe a little premature in my searching. The last post was actually a December 1997 article so I am back to confused and my original post regarding the current Service and News portion of Lufthansa's (their own words not mine)website:

Code-share Flights to the land "Down Under"

As a part of its new winter schedule Lufthansa, together with Star Alliance partner Singapore Airlines, will offer code-share flights to Australia. From October 25th, Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Adelaide will be part of the Lufthansa schedule. You can travel in economy class from any German airport to any of the five Australian destinations for just DM2,350 (plus applicable fees and taxes).

reading the newest UA-press release I think it will be first Ansett and Air New Zealand and (not yet) Singapore:

"October 12, 1998

UNITED AIRLINES PRESS RELEASE
CHICAGO, Oct. 12, 1998 - The chairmen of eight major international airlines have told the Hong Kong government that it should lift regulatory restrictions which prevent air carriers from delivering the full benefits of aviation alliances to consumers around the world.

The message was delivered by the chairmen of Air Canada, Air New Zealand, Ansett Australia, Lufthansa, SAS, United Airlines and Varig Brazilian Airlines. The airlines are all members of Star Alliance (Air New Zealand and Ansett Australia are designated 1999 Star Alliance carriers)."

Just what is going on -- Knight Ridder wire article in today's local paper lists the nine star alliance members -- United, Lufthansa, SAS, Air Canada, Thai, Varig, Singapore, Ansett Australia, Air New Zealand. Did you notice that Singapore in there? I would like to know where this rumour started (since even Lufthansa is spreading it on their web site). Oh well, it probably isn't true but we can always hope that the more times they say it the more likely it is to happen.

with all this new (StarAlliace - Oceanic) Options coming - I start to plan my visit to the Olympics in Sidney on a round the world ticket in Business (till then it should include the Ansett, Air New Zealand and - may be - Singapore Options). I like planning ...

(Rudi's lousy translation from the Neue Zuercher Zeitung, oct-15th)

Singapore Airlines is considering to become a major shareholder in Thai International Airways. Apparently Singapore, being the only Asian carrier with a lot of cash despite asian crisis, wants to take the opportunity to enlarge it's business. Considering their new cooperations with other StarAlliance-partners (LH) professionals don't question if Singapore will join StarAlliance, it is only guessing about when.

Singapore would be a fine addition to the
Star ALliance (Could they be thinking of a merger with Thai... That would be a powerhouse Asian carrier.)

Good luck with your Olympic planning Rudi.
I'm leaning toward Sydney and Australia next
year for the "fun trip" but I don't think
I'll get anything for the Olympics.

On my wish list of things to do before I'm
dust: Attending the Opening Ceremonies for
a Summer Olympics. Came close in Atlanta.
Got tix to first round baseball -- that's it!
CATMAN

in 72 my mother did invite the whole family (party of 8) to the opening ceremony in Munich (by train it was only 4 hours from the Swiss boarder).

Rumors continue -- even on Webflyer. Where does this November O2 (online only) story come from Randy? Maybe if we keep repeating the story it will come true . . . The words as shown on this website:

Passages Reincarnated: Asia Miles, Krisflyer, & Enrich

Three new programs have been announced in Asia to replace Passages. The best news is for frequent flyers who normally travel coach-- they will be able to start earning miles. In addition, the mega alliances oneworld and Star Alliance have signed up Cathay Pacific and Singapore Airlines respectively.