SkyTeam

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SkyTeam
Official Launch Date June 22, 2000
Members Full 10
Non-Voting 0
Pending 6
Destinations Served Airports 728
Countries 149
Annual Passengers (M) 373
Fleet Size 2153
Website skyteam.com

SkyTeam is the second largest airline alliance in the world — behind Star Alliance — partnering ten carriers from three continents, with six pending members. 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. Again in 2006, readers of Global Traveler Magazine rated SkyTeam as the best airline alliance. SkyTeam also operates a cargo alliance called SkyTeam Cargo with all current SkyTeam members except for Continental Cargo.

Contents

[edit] Membership history

[edit] Member arlines

[edit] Current members

* Founding members

[edit] Future members

  • Flag of People's Republic of China China Southern Airlines [12] — is on track for official alliance membership. It signed a Memorandum of Understanding on August 28, 2004, being the first mainland Chinese airline to do so. An official Global Airline Alliance Adherence Agreement (GAAAA) was announced on June 28, 2006 [13]. China Southern Airlines will officially become a member of SkyTeam once bilateral codesharing, frequent flyer and lounge agreements with each of the SkyTeam carriers are in place and the carrier satisfies all SkyTeam membership requirements. Completion of these requirements is expected in late 2007. [1] [14]

The following airlines are on track to become associate members:

On February 2, Air Europa, Copa, and Kenya Airways signed an agreement affirming their commitment to become associate members. [2]

[edit] 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 in negotiations to do so.
  • Flag of Malaysia Malaysia Airlines - Malaysia Airlines reached an agreement with Air France-KLM to upgrade their code-sharing agreement into an alliance in 2006. While there is no timetable for Malaysia Airliens to join SkyTeam, their current restructuring plan puts 2007-2008 as the target years.[21]

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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:

[edit] 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:

[edit] Destinations

Further information: Skyteam destinations

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ (2006-28-06). SKYTEAM SIGNS AGREEMENT WITH CHINA SOUTHERN, REINFORCING AIRLINE'S COMMITMENT TO JOIN THE ALLIANCE. Alliance moves closer to welcoming first Chinese carrier.. Press release. Retrieved on 2007-02-14.
  2. ^ (2007-02-02). [http://www.skyteam.com/EN/aboutSkyteam/pressCenter/pr020207.jsp SKYTEAM SIGNS AGREEMENTS WITH THREE ASSOCIATE AIRLINE CANDIDATES Air Europa, Copa Airlines and Kenya Airways Reinforce Commitment to Join Alliance]. Press release. Retrieved on 2007-02-12.

[edit] External links