SkyTeam

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SkyTeam
Official Launch Date June 22, 2000
Members Full 11
Non-Voting 3
Pending 2
Destinations Airports 841
Countries 162
Annual Passengers (M) 427.6
Fleet Size 2513
Management Leo van Wijk (Chairman)
Website www.SkyTeam.com

SkyTeam is the second largest airline alliance in the world — behind Star Alliance — partnering fourteen carriers from four continents, with two 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
  • Unified Baggage System

SkyTeam calls itself the "first alliance built around customer needs."[1] In 2005, SkyTeam was the world's best airline alliance, according to the readers of Global Traveler Magazine. In 2006, readers of Global Traveler Magazine once again rated SkyTeam as the best airline alliance. In 2007, Business Traveler Magazine named the SkyTeam to have the Best Airline Alliance Program. SkyTeam also operates a cargo alliance called SkyTeam Cargo with all current SkyTeam members except for Continental Cargo.

Contents

[edit] Membership history

[edit] Member airlines

[edit] Full members

1founding member

[edit] Associate members

[edit] Affiliates

[edit] Future Associate members

The following airlines are on track to become associate members:

[edit] Future members

  • Flag of Algeria Air Algérie - in 2006, Air Algérie applied for admission to the alliance; its application has been sponsored by Air France. Air Algérie has been on the waiting list for membership since 2005 and plans to join the alliance at the beginning of 2008. SkyTeam hopes to integrate Air Algérie into the alliance and begin the use of electronic ticketing and launch a frequent flyer program for the airline named Air Algérie Plus. The SkyTeam also anticipates the purchase of new aircraft by Air Algérie.[3]
  • Flag of the Republic of China China Airlines- China Airlines already has extensive codeshare agreements with Delta Air Lines, Korean Air, Northwest Airlines, Czech Airlines, and Alitalia, and their vice president has also announced an intention to apply for membership by 2008. [4] They are set to be announced as the next full member of SkyTeam in late 2008 and have been in talks since Fall 2007. [5]
  • Flag of Malaysia Malaysia Airlines - Malaysia Airlines reached an agreement with Air France-KLM to upgrade their codeshare agreements into an alliance in 2006. While there is no timetable for Malaysia Airlines to join SkyTeam, their current restructuring plan puts 2008-2009 as the target years.[6] Malaysia Airlines also reached an agreement with Alitalia and China Southern Airlines, SkyTeam members, to start code-sharing in 2007. [7]

[edit] Potential future members

Note that there is much speculation about non-aligned airlines joining one of the global alliances. The list below includes airlines that have expressed their desire or are in the ongoing negotiations to join SkyTeam.
  • Flag of the People's Republic of China China Eastern Airlines - Air France, along with China Southern[8] are lobbying at China Eastern Airlines to join the alliance, but the airline is also considering joining Oneworld as they have codeshare agreements with American Airlines, British Airways, Japan Airlines and Qantas.[9][10]
  • Flag of India Kingfisher Airlines - Is in talks to join the alliance[11]
  • Flag of Uzbekistan Uzbekistan Airways - In February 2008 Korean Air signed a preliminary deal with Uzbekistan Airways for further cooperation that includes sponsoring a bid for the airline to potentially join SkyTeam as an associate member.[12]
  • Flag of Lithuania FlyLAL - Lithuanian Airlines is invited to join SkyTeam alliance as an associate member following a two year negotiation. Date of admission to SkyTeam alliance is to be confirmed soon. FlyLAL already has sharecode flights with KLM and Aeroflot.[13]
  • Flag of Vietnam Vietnam Airlines - In a statement, Leo van Wijk (current Chairman of SkyTeam governing board) stated that SkyTeam is currently in talks with Vietnam Airlines, and is expected to conclude talks lthis year, paving the way for the airline's entry next year. The airline currently codeshares with China Southern Airlines and Korean Air. [14] [15]

[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

Main article: SkyTeam destinations

[edit] References

[edit] External links