STARAlliance has turned its attention to securing Chinese and African partners following the signing up of British Midland to cover the UK market.
Bruce Harris, the director of alliances at Star Alliance founder United Airlines, confirmed the two regions were being targeted by the group.
Harris said meetings were taking place this month to discuss African partners.
Star Alliance got close to a deal with South African Airways but Swissair surprised the aviation industry by bringing SAA into its Qualiflyer group in July (Travel Weekly July 5). The other obvious candidate was Kenya Airways but it has a long-term deal with KLM.
Star Alliance is expected to sign up smaller, strategically important African carriers but has yet to reveal potential targets.
In China, the group has had talks with international carriers China Eastern and China Southern but no agreement has been reached.
Delays are thought to be due to the Chinese government planning a partial sell-off of the airlines next year.
United, and therefore Star Alliance, is planning more flights to China as part of an expanded bilateral agreement between the US and China.