SkyTeam

SkyTeam Alliance is the second largest airline alliance in the world — behind Star Alliance — partnering ten carriers from three continents.

The stated benefits and goals of the alliance are:

Easy frequent flyer mile collection and redemption across carriers
Reciprocal airport lounge access between carriers
Guaranteed reservations for Elite Plus customers
More available flights and easier connections between carriers
More fare options
Unified check-in for all carriers
Consistent quality standards across carriers
One reservation network for all members

SkyTeam calls itself the "first alliance built around customer needs".

In 2005 SkyTeam was the world's best airline alliance, according to the readers of Global Traveler Magazine 1.

Membership History

2000 — Aeroméxico, Air France, Delta Air Lines, and Korean Air launch the SkyTeam alliance on June 22.
2001 — Czech Airlines and Alitalia join.
2004 — Continental Airlines, KLM and Northwest Airlines join in September. Their simultaneous entry has been the largest expansion event in airline alliance history. As a result of the three new members, SkyTeam passes Oneworld as the second-largest alliance.
2005 — Even though current member CSA pledged to help Malév Hungarian Airlines become associate member of the alliance (as opposed to a full member, an associate has no voting rights), Malév opts to join Oneworld Alliance, signing a Memorandum Of Understanding late in May.
A few days later Skyteam announces four new associate members due to join by 2006, each one being "sponsored" by an existing member: Madrid-based Air Europa (sponsored by Air France), Panama-based COPA (partly owned and sponsored by Continental Airlines), Kenya Airways (partly owned and sponsored by KLM) and Romania's Tarom (sponsored by Alitalia). Every associate will adopt a frequent flyer program of a full member (COPA already uses Continental's Onepass scheme and Kenya Airways uses Air France-KLM's Flying Blue) ^*.
2006 — Aeroflot joined on April 14. Air Europa, Copa Airlines, Kenya Airways, and Tarom will launch the alliance's associate program.

Members

Current Members (including regional subsidaries)

Aeroflot ^* Aeroméxico+ ^* AeroLitoral Flag of the Netherlands.svg Air France+-KLM [http://www.klm.com KLM Asia (KLM) KLM Cityhopper (KLM) Régional (Air France) Alitalia ^* Alitalia Express Continental Airlines ^* Continental Micronesia (operating as Continental Airlines) Czech Airlines ^* Delta Air Lines+ ^* Comair (operating as Delta Connection) Delta Shuttle Korean Air+ ^* Northwest Airlines ^* Compass Airlines Mesaba Airlines (operating as Northwest Airlink) Pinnacle Airlines

Note: + Indicates the founding members of the SkyTeam Alliance.

Future Members

Full members

China Southern Airlines signed a Memorandum of Understanding on August 28, 2004, being the first mainland Chinese airline to do so. An official agreement was announced on June 28, 2006. ^*

Associate members

Air Europa ^* (sponsored by Air France) COPA ^* (sponsored by Continental Airlines) Kenya Airways ^* (sponsored by KLM) TAROM ^* (sponsored by Alitalia) Middle East Airlines ^* (sponsored by Air France) Portugalia ^* (sponsored by Air France)

Potential future members

''Note that there is much speculation about non-aligned airlines joining one of the global alliances. The list below only includes airlines that have expressed their desire to join SkyTeam or are rumoured to be in negotiations to do so.

China Airlines - China Airlines already has extensive code-sharing with Delta Air Lines and Alitalia. Industry experts, however, point out that any airline alliance seeking to establish its presence in mainland China would not let a Taiwanese airline in due to possible political repercussions. However, despite the possible political tensions, China Airlines does have frequent flier mileage program partnerships with China Southern Airlines, a future SkyTeam member, as well as Air China and China Eastern Airlines. Avianca - rumored to be in negotiations with Delta Air Lines to join the alliance by 2007 or 2008. Jat Airways - recently launched a campaign to join the alliance. Malaysia Airlines - the airline reached an agreement with Air France-KLM to upgrade their code-sharing agreement into an alliance in 2006. No timeframe has been given for MAS joining the alliance, but the company's restructuring plan puts this no later than 2008-2009. ^*

Premium Status

SkyTeam has two premium levels, Elite and Elite Plus, based on a customer's tier status in a member carrier's frequent flyer program. Each of the member and associate airlines recognizes the elite statuses, with a few exceptions. The statuses have no specific requirements of their own; membership is based solely on the frequent flyer programs of individual member airlines.

SkyTeam Elite

SkyTeam Elite status is awarded to customers who have reached the premium level of a member carrier's frequent flyer program.

Benefits of SkyTeam Elite membership:

Priority Reservations Waitlisting
Priority Airport Standby
Priority Boarding
Priority Check In
Preferred Seating

Membership tiers granting SkyTeam Elite:

Aeroflot (Aeroflot bonus) - Silver
Aeromexico (Club Premier) - Gold
Air France-KLM (Flying Blue) - Gold (for residents of US and Mexico), Silver
Alitalia (MilleMiglia) - Ulisse
Continental (OnePass) - Gold, Silver
Czech (OK Plus) - Silver
Delta (SkyMiles) - Gold Medallion, Silver Medallion
Korean Air (SKYPASS) - Morning Calm
Northwest (WorldPerks) - Gold, Silver

SkyTeam Elite Plus

SkyTeam Elite Plus status is awarded to customers who have reached the higher premium level of a member carrier's frequent flyer program.

Benefits of SkyTeam Elite Plus membership:

Priority Reservations Waitlisting
Priority Airport Standby
Priority Boarding
Priority Airport Check In
Preferred Seating
Priority Baggage Handling
Additional Checked Luggage Allowance
Airport Lounge Access
Guaranteed Reservations on Sold-Out Flights
Express Airport Security (in some hub airports)

Membership tiers granting SkyTeam Elite Plus:

Aeroflot (Aeroflot bonus) - Gold
Aeromexico (Club Premier) - Platinum
Air France-KLM (Flying Blue) - Platinum, Gold (for non-US/Mexican residents)
Alitalia (MilleMiglia) - Freccia Alata
Continental (OnePass) - Platinum
Czech (OK Plus) - Gold
Delta (SkyMiles) - Platinum Medallion
Korean Air (SKYPASS) - Million Miler, Premium
Northwest (WorldPerks) - Platinum

Destinations

External links

Official Website of SkyTeam

Skyteam Alliance

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