SkyTeam

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SkyTeam
SkyTeam logo.svg
Launch date 22 June 2000 (2000-06-22)
Full members 19
Pending members 1
Destination airports 1,000
Destination countries 187
Annual passengers (M) 531 (Total Frequent Flyer Members = 153)
Fleet size 4,150
Management
Alliance slogan Caring more about You
Headquarters Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
Haarlemmermeer, Netherlands
Website www.skyteam.com

SkyTeam is an airline alliance with its centralised management team, SkyTeam Central, based at the World Trade Center Schiphol Airport on the grounds of Amsterdam Airport Schiphol in Haarlemmermeer, Netherlands.[2][3][4] SkyTeam was founded in 2000 by Aeroméxico, Air France, Delta Air Lines, and Korean Air. SkyTeam was the last of the three airline alliances to be formed, the first two being Star Alliance and Oneworld. However, in terms of the number of passengers and the number of members, SkyTeam has grown and is now second to Star Alliance and is ahead of Oneworld.[citation needed] As of November 2012, SkyTeam consists of 19 carriers from five continents, and operates with the slogan "Caring more about you". It also operates a cargo alliance named SkyTeam Cargo, which partners ten carriers —all of them SkyTeam members— following the entrance of China Airlines Cargo in October 2012 (2012-10).[5]

In 2004, the alliance had its biggest expansion when Continental Airlines, KLM, and Northwest Airlines simultaneously joined as full members. In 2010, the alliance celebrated its 10th anniversary with the introduction of a special livery, the joining or upgrading status of four airlines, followed by the announcements of Aerolíneas Argentinas, China Airlines, and Garuda Indonesia to become full members. In January 2011 (2011-01), the alliance announced the incorporation of both Saudi Arabian Airlines and Middle East Airlines during 2012; these events effectively took place in May and June 2012 (2012-06), respectively, whereas Aerolíneas Argentinas and Xiamen Airlines memberships were activated in August and November the same year, respectively.

As of November 2012, the alliance and its members have a total workforce of 436,007. SkyTeam flies to 1,000 destinations in 187 countries, and operates some 15,500 daily flights with a combined fleet of over 4,100 aircraft, including associate carriers. Furthermore, the alliance has 525 lounges worldwide to serve 552 million annual passengers.[6]

Contents

Membership history

Formations and early years

Schiphol World Trade Center, where SkyTeam has its head office

On 22 June 2000, representatives of Aeroméxico, Air France, Delta Air Lines, and Korean Air held a meeting in New York to announce the founding of a third airline alliance. These became the four founding carriers of SkyTeam.[7] Upon its formation, SkyTeam would offer its customers a total of 6,402 daily flights to 451 destinations in 98 countries.

In September 2000 (2000-09), the alliance established a cargo alliance, SkyTeam Cargo.[7] The group's inaugural members were Aeromexpress, Air France Cargo, Delta Air Logistics, and Korean Air Cargo. The following month, the newly established airline alliance announced its intentions to grant CSA Czech Airlines membership.[7]

The year 2001 saw the joining of CSA Czech Airlines on 25 March and Alitalia on 27 July.[7][8] On 30 September, the alliance received KLM's application for membership, following the airline's plans to create a leading airline group with Air France.[9] In 2003, Delta's subsidiary, Delta Express, was replaced by Song. That same year, SkyTeam also launched an improved website focused on providing passengers with more information, increased interactivity, and other resources.[10]

Biggest expansion

An Alitalia Boeing 767-300ER in SkyTeam special livery on approach to Fiumicino Airport in 2009.

On 24 May 2004, Aeroflot, the flag carrier and principal airline of Russia, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with SkyTeam as it intended to become a full member. The event took place in Kremlin following the airline's application earlier in the year for membership.[11][12] SkyTeam expressed that Aeroflot has not met the consortium's standards, but that the airline's large hub networks made it ideal for the alliance, and made up for its deficiencies.[13]

On 28 August, China Southern Airlines, the largest carrier in the People's Republic of China, signed a preliminary agreement in Guangzhou in its bid to become a full member.[14] In the presence of a number of Chinese and airline officials, Yan Zhiqing, the chairman of China Southern Airlines, said, "This agreement-signing event is an important step forward into the future for China Southern Airlines to adapt itself to the need of further reforms and opening to the international community, as it will strengthen the airline's international cooperation and global competitiveness."

On 13 September, Continental Airlines, KLM, and Northwest Airlines joined the alliance.[15][16] Their simultaneous entry was the largest expansion event in airline alliance history. As a result of the three new members, SkyTeam surpassed Oneworld to become the second largest airline alliance, serving more than 341 million customers with 14,320 daily flights to 658 destinations in 130 countries.[15]

2005–2006

Even though member CSA Czech Airlines pledged to help Malév Hungarian Airlines become an associate member of the alliance (as opposed to a full member, an associate has no voting rights), Malév Hungarian Airlines opted to join the Oneworld airline alliance, signing a Memorandum of Understanding late in May. A few days later, SkyTeam announced 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 Airlines (sponsored and partly owned by Continental Airlines), Kenya Airways (sponsored and partly owned by KLM), and Romania's TAROM (sponsored by Alitalia).[17] Every associate adopted a frequent-flyer program of a full member: Copa Airlines already used Continental's OnePass while Kenya Airways and Air Europa used Air France-KLM's Flying Blue.[citation needed]

Following a 23-month joining process since May 2004 (2004-05),[18] Aeroflot joined on 14 April 2006.[19] It was the first Russian airline to be associated with any airline alliance.[20][21] Aeroflot has increased its operational standards, passing International Air Transport Association's (IATA) Operational Safety Audit (IOSA). Delta's subsidiary Song continued to operate as Delta Air Lines.[citation needed] In June, it was announced that Portugália would become the alliance's next associate member candidate.[22] However, in November, rival airline and Star Alliance member TAP Portugal, purchased 99.81% of the airline, bringing a sudden end to its candidacy.[23]

2007 expansion

On 4 September 2007, Air Europa, Copa Airlines, and Kenya Airways became members of SkyTeam's Associate program,[24] which was launched to serve airlines in strategic regions which are intending to become affiliated with the alliance.[25][26] China Southern Airlines joined SkyTeam on 15 November to become the 11th full member and the first carrier from Mainland China to join the alliance.[27][28] Aeroméxico's subsidiary Aerolitoral became Aeroméxico Connect.[citation needed]

2008–2009: Departure of airlines and new initiatives

In June 2008 (2008-06),[29] following an agreement between Continental Airlines and United Airlines,[30] the first of these carriers and Copa Airlines announced their intentions to move to the Star Alliance after Continental's final flight with SkyTeam on 24 October 2009.[31][32][33] That day, as announced, Continental Airlines and Copa Airlines simultaneously left SkyTeam.[34][35] Continental Airlines joined Star Alliance three days later;[36] at the time, it was rumored that the switch was Continental Airlines' initial move in a United-Continental merger.[37]

Also in 2009, Alitalia-Linee Aeree Italiane re-launched operations as the new Alitalia,[citation needed] and the alliance announced initiatives towards a centralized management based in Amsterdam.[38] The consortium also named a new managing director, Marie-Joseph Malé, outlined a timeline for the opening of its co-located facilities at London Heathrow Airport, and unveiled a new special livery.[38]

Tenth anniversary

To start off 2010, Northwest Airlines and Delta Air Lines's operating certificates were officially combined on 1 January,[citation needed] while on 9 March, China Southern Airlines announced its plans to join SkyTeam Cargo.[39][40][41] With membership expected to be granted in November the same year, the airline was to be the first Chinese carrier to join a global air cargo alliance.[39] On 16 April China Eastern Airlines announced its intention to join SkyTeam, with the official joining ceremony initially expected to occur by mid-2011.[42][43] The announcement came shortly after the airline's merger with Shanghai Airlines, a member of SkyTeam's rival, Star Alliance.

On 10 June, Vietnam Airlines became a full member following a joining ceremony held in Hanoi.[44][45] The airline became the first SkyTeam carrier from Southeast Asia, where Star Alliance has a strong presence through Singapore Airlines and Thai Airways International. With an extra 20 unique destinations added to SkyTeam's route map, Vietnam Airlines helped to strengthen the alliance's foothold in the region.[44]

A TAROM Boeing 737-700 in SkyTeam special livery on short final to Brussels Airport in 2011.

On 22 June, the CEOs and chairmen of the 13 member airlines gathered in New York to celebrate the alliance's 10th anniversary.[46] During its first decade of operation, the world's second largest airline alliance more than tripled its membership, doubled its flights, and nearly doubled its destinations.[47] On the same day, SkyTeam announced that it had renewed its membership program, thereby upgrading Air Europa, Kenya Airways, and TAROM statuses from associate to full members.[48] During the ceremony, the Board outlined its plans to recruit members from Latin America, South America, and India.[47] Three days later, TAROM officially became the 13th SkyTeam member.[49] As a part of the celebration, SkyTeam offered reductions of round-the-world fares[50] and other promotions. Following the 10th anniversary, SkyTeam intended to enhance customers' travel experience and deepen cooperation among its members to supplement the expansion into regions that are yet to have SkyTeam members.[51]

“ In South America, India and Africa, it is clear there will be a significant battle for positioning to lure good carriers in your alliance. ”

—Leo van Wijk, chairman during a 10th anniversary event of SkyTeam[52]

During the year, Delta Air Lines offered US$1.02 billion to Japan Airlines after the Asian airline filed for bankruptcy due to US$26 billion debt,[53] at the same time lobbying Oneworld's largest member in Asia to switch to SkyTeam.[54] Delta, along with American Airlines, wanted Japan Airlines to be in their respective alliances to benefit from the U.S.–Japan Open Skies agreement. Eventually, Japan Airlines opted to remain at Oneworld, citing that the transfer to SkyTeam would confuse its passengers, and may not gain antitrust immunity from U.S. regulators.[55]

SkyTeam received its second application for full membership within a five-month time-span. China Airlines, Taiwan's flag carrier and largest airline, announced in mid-September that it had formally started the joining process.[56][57][58] Upon joining, the airline's route network supplemented those of China Southern Airlines and China Eastern Airlines, allowing cooperation among the three airlines, as well as strengthening SkyTeam's presence not only in both the People's Republic of China and Taiwan, but throughout the Asia-Pacific region.[citation needed] The following month, Aerolíneas Argentinas signed an agreement to officially start the process of becoming the first South American SkyTeam member. The airline was set to join in 2012.[59][60][61]

On 1 November, Shanghai Airlines exited from Star Alliance to join SkyTeam in the future under its parent company, future SkyTeam member China Eastern Airlines. This bolstered SkyTeam's presence in the People's Republic of China and surrounding areas, making the SkyTeam the number one alliance in the region.[62] Garuda Indonesia formally started its joining process on 23 November, and was scheduled to be integrated by 2012.[63] Upon joining, the airline will become the second Southeast Asian airline to join SkyTeam, therefore challenging Star Alliance's dominance in the region through Thai Airways International and Singapore Airlines.

2011–onwards: Major expansion

Membership of Xiamen Airlines was activated on November 2012 (2012-11).

On 10 January, SkyTeam announced that Saudi Arabian Airlines signed an agreement to join the alliance in 2012. The airline was to be SkyTeam’s first member from the Middle East, adding 35 new destinations to the alliance network. These new destinations are on the Arabian Peninsula, the Indian subcontinent and North Africa. SkyTeam now competes with the Oneworld alliance and its member Royal Jordanian Airlines in the Middle East. On 19 January, SkyTeam announced that Middle East Airlines will also join the SkyTeam alliance in 2012. Middle East Airlines flies to 30 destinations, primarily in the Middle East and West Africa, thereby further increasing the presence of SkyTeam in this region. Member airlines Delta and Air France-KLM appointed Goldman Sachs in late February 2011 (2011-02) to advise them on a potential bid for Sir Richard Branson's 51% stake in Virgin Atlantic, which could lead to the airline joining SkyTeam and would sharply increase the alliance's footprint in London. Rivals Star Alliance and Etihad Airlines are also investigating competing options with regard to Virgin Atlantic.[64]

China Eastern Airlines joined the alliance on 21 June 2011, along with its subsidiary, Shanghai Airlines, to become the overall 14th member.[65] Later in 2011, on 28 September, China Airlines joined the alliance.[citation needed] In November the same year, Xiamen Airlines committed to be incorporated as a full member by the end of 2012,[66] with their entry supported by China Southern Airlines.[67] On 29 May 2012, Saudi Arabian Airlines became both the first carrier in joining the alliance in 2012 and the first one based in the Middle East, which brought the total members to 16.[68][69] The same day of its incorporation, Saudi Arabian Airlines announced its renaming to Saudia.[70] Middle East Airlines became the 17th member of the alliance a month later, following its incorporation on 28 June 2012.[71][72] On 29 August 2012, Aerolíneas Argentinas became the first South American and the second Latin American airline in joining the alliance,[73][74] bringing the number of members to 18.[75] Following its incorporation on 21 November 2012, Xiamen Airlines became the fourth member in Mainland China,[76] with the overall number of members in the alliance rising to 19.[77][78][79]

Member airlines

Full members and their member & non-member affiliates

Aeroméxico, Air France, Delta Air Lines, and Korean Air are the four founding members of the alliance.
Member airline Joined Member affiliates Non-member affiliates
Russia Aeroflot 02006-04-1414 April 2006[19] Russia Donavia Russia Orenair
Russia Rossiya
Russia SAT Airlines
Russia Vladivostok Air
Argentina Aerolíneas Argentinas 02012-08-2929 August 2012[74] Argentina Austral Líneas Aéreas N/A
Mexico Aeroméxico[nb 1] 02000-06-2222 June 2000 Mexico Aeroméxico Connect N/A
Spain Air Europa 02007-09-044 September 2007[24] N/A N/A
France Air France[nb 2][nb 3] 02000-06-2222 June 2000 Republic of Ireland CityJet France transavia.com France
France HOP!
Italy Alitalia 02009-01-1313 January 2009 Italy Alitalia CityLiner Italy Air One
Taiwan China Airlines 02011-09-2828 September 2011 Taiwan Mandarin Airlines[nb 4] N/A
China China Eastern Airlines 02011-06-2121 June 2011 China Shanghai Airlines China China United Airlines
China China Southern Airlines 02007-11-1515 November 2007[28] N/A China Chongqing Airlines
Czech Republic Czech Airlines 02001-03-2525 March 2001[7] N/A Czech Republic Holidays Czech Airlines
United States Delta Air Lines[nb 5] 02000-06-2222 June 2000 United States Delta Connection N/A
United States Delta Shuttle
Kenya Kenya Airways 02007-09-044 September 2007[24] N/A N/A
Netherlands KLM[nb 6] 02004-09-1313 September 2004 Netherlands KLM Cityhopper Netherlands transavia.com
South Korea Korean Air[nb 7] 02000-06-2222 June 2000 N/A South Korea Jin Air
Lebanon Middle East Airlines 02012-06-2828 June 2012[71] N/A N/A
Saudi Arabia Saudia 02012-05-2929 May 2012[69] N/A N/A
Romania TAROM 02010-06-2525 June 2010[49] N/A N/A
Vietnam Vietnam Airlines 02010-06-1010 June 2010[44] N/A Vietnam Jetstar Pacific
Vietnam Vietnam Air Service Company
China Xiamen Airlines 02012-11-2121 November 2012[79] N/A N/A

Former members and their member affiliates

Former member airlines

Former member airline Joined Exited Member affiliates
Italy Alitalia-Linee Aeree Italiane[nb 8] 02001-07-2727 July 2001 02009-01-1212 January 2009 Italy Alitalia Express
Italy Volareweb.com
United States Continental Airlines[nb 9] 02004-09-1313 September 2004 02009-10-2424 October 2009 United States Continental Connection operated by:
→ United States Cape Air
→ United States Colgan Air
→ United States CommutAir
→ United States Gulfstream International Airlines
United States Continental Express operated by:
→ United States Chautauqua Airlines
→ United States ExpressJet Airlines
Guam Continental Micronesia
United States Northwest Airlines[nb 10] 02004-09-1313 September 2004 02010-01-3131 January 2010 United States Northwest Airlink

Former affiliate members

Former member affiliate Country Joined Exited Member affiliate of
Aerolitoral[nb 11]  Mexico
2000
2007
 Mexico Aeroméxico
Aeroméxico Travel[nb 12]  Mexico
2008
2011
 Mexico Aeroméxico
Brit Air  France
2000
2013
 France Air France
Comair  United States
2000
2012
 United States Delta Air Lines
Delta Express[nb 13]  United States
2000
2003
 United States Delta Air Lines
Régional  France
2001
2013
 France Air France
Song Airlines[nb 14]  United States
2003
2006
 United States Delta Air Lines

Former associate members

Former associate member Country Joined Exited Member affiliates
Copa Airlines[nb 15]  Panama 02007-09-044 September 2007[24] 2009 ColombiaAeroRepública

Future members

Garuda Indonesia has delayed SkyTeam join date to 2014.
Future member airline Joining Member affiliates Non-member affiliates
Indonesia Garuda Indonesia[63][82][83] Early 2014[84] N/A Indonesia Citilink[citation needed]

Possible future members

Airline Member affiliates Non-member affiliates
Madagascar Air Madagascar[85] N/A N/A
Brazil Gol Transportes Aéreos[65] N/A N/A
Mongolia MIAT Mongolian Airlines[86] N/A N/A
Uzbekistan Uzbekistan Airways[87] N/A N/A
United Kingdom Virgin Atlantic[88] N/A N/A

SkyTeam Cargo

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Main article: SkyTeam Cargo

SkyTeam Cargo is a cargo division of SkyTeam. SkyTeam Cargo is the largest of the world's two cargo alliances, ahead of its rival WOW Alliance. The cargo alliance contains ten members from the passenger alliance – Aeroflot Cargo, Air France Cargo, Alitalia Cargo, China Airlines Cargo, China Southern Cargo, CSA Cargo, Delta Air Logistics, KLM Cargo, and Korean Air Cargo.

Benefits and services

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SkyTeam hubs

Member airlines Hub airports Focus city airports
Aeroflot Russia Sheremetyevo International Airport[89] Russia Pulkovo Airport
Russia Vladivostok International Airport
Aeroméxico Mexico General Ignacio Pesqueira García International Airport[6] N/A
Mexico General Mariano Escobedo International Airport[6]
Mexico Mexico City International Airport[6]
Mexico Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla International Airport[6]
Aerolíneas Argentinas Argentina Ministro Pistarini International Airport[6] Argentina Ingeniero Ambrosio L.V. Taravella International Airport
Argentina Aeroparque Jorge Newbery[6]
Air Europa Spain Madrid Barajas Airport[6] Spain Barcelona El Prat Airport
Spain Tenerife South Airport
Air France France Charles de Gaulle Airport[6] France Marseille Provence Airport
France Paris-Orly Airport France Nice Côte d'Azur Airport
France Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport[6] France Toulouse-Blagnac Airport
Alitalia Italy Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport Italy Catania-Fontanarossa Airport
Italy Linate Airport 
Italy Malpensa Airport
Italy Naples Airport
Italy Trieste – Friuli Venezia Giulia Airport
Italy Turin Airport
China Airlines Taiwan Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport Hong Kong Hong Kong International Airport
Taiwan Kaohsiung International Airport Thailand Suvarnabhumi Airport
China Eastern Airlines China Kunming Changshui International Airport China Beijing Capital International Airport
China Hefei Luogang International Airport
China Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport China Nanjing Lukou International Airport
China Ningbo Lishe International Airport
China Shanghai Pudong International Airport China Shijiazhuang Daguocun International Airport
China Taiyuan Wusu Airport
China Xi'an Xianyang International Airport China Wuhan Tianhe International Airport
China Wuxi Shuofang Airport
China Southern Airlines China Beijing Capital International Airport China Changchun Longjia International Airport
China Changsha Huanghua International Airport
China Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport China Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport
China Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport
China Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport China Jieyang Chaoshan Airport
China Shenyang Taoxian International Airport
China Ürümqi Diwopu International Airport China Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport
China Wuhan Tianhe International Airport
China Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport
Czech Airlines Czech Republic Václav Havel Airport Prague Czech Republic Karlovy Vary Airport
Delta Air Lines Netherlands Amsterdam Airport Schiphol N/A
France Charles de Gaulle Airport
United States Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport
United States Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport
United States Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport
United States John F. Kennedy International Airport
United States LaGuardia Airport [90]
United States Memphis International Airport
United States Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport
Japan Narita International Airport
United States Salt Lake City International Airport
Kenya Airways Kenya Jomo Kenyatta International Airport Kenya Moi International Airport
KLM Netherlands Amsterdam Airport Schiphol N/A
Korean Air South Korea Incheon International Airport South Korea Gimhae International Airport
South Korea Gimpo International Airport South Korea Jeju International Airport
Middle East Airlines Lebanon Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport N/A
Saudia Saudi Arabia Abha Regional Airport N/A
Saudi Arabia King Abdulaziz International Airport
Saudi Arabia King Fahd International Airport
Saudi Arabia King Khalid International Airport
Saudi Arabia Prince Mohammad Airport
TAROM Romania Henri Coandă International Airport Romania Traian Vuia International Airport
Romania Cluj-Napoca International Airport
Vietnam Airlines Vietnam Noi Bai International Airport Hong Kong Hong Kong International Airport
Vietnam Tan Son Nhat International Airport
Vietnam Da Nang International Airport Japan Narita International Airport
Vietnam Long Thanh International Airport (future)
Xiamen Airlines China Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport[78] China Nanchang Changbei International Airport
China Tianjin Binhai International Airport
China Fuzhou Changle International Airport[78] China Changsha Huanghua International Airport
China Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport
China Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport[78] China Quanzhou Jinjiang Airport
China Wuyishan Airport

Co-locations

Serves Airport Terminal Exceptions
Spain Barcelona Barcelona Airport Terminal 1 Aerolíneas Argentinas in Terminal 2
China Beijing Beijing Capital International Airport Terminal 2[91] China Airlines in Terminal 3
Romania Bucharest Henri Coandă International Airport Terminal 1 N/A
United States Atlanta Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport Concourses T, A, B, C, D (Domestic) N/A
Concourses E & F (International)
United States Boston Logan International Airport Terminal A (Delta) N/A
Terminal E (International & Delta Int'l Arrivals)
United States Chicago O'Hare International Airport Terminal 5 (International) N/A
Terminal 2 (Domestic)
United States Cincinnati Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport Terminal 3 N/A
United States Dallas Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport Terminal D (KLM & Korean Air) N/A
United States Fort Worth Terminal E (Delta)
United States Detroit Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport McNamara Terminal N/A
Germany Frankfurt Frankfurt Airport Terminal 2 Middle East Airlines in Terminal 1
United Kingdom London London Heathrow Airport Terminal 4[92] Middle East Airlines in Terminal 3
Vietnam Airlines at London Gatwick
Spain Madrid Madrid-Barajas Airport Terminal 1 (International) Czech Airlines in Terminal 4
Terminal 2 (European and domestic) TAROM in Terminal 4
United Kingdom Manchester Manchester Airport Terminal 3 Delta Air Lines in Terminal 2
Mexico Mexico City Mexico City International Airport Terminal 2 Air France in Terminal 1
KLM in Terminal 1
United States Minneapolis Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport Terminal 1 (future co-location)[citation needed] N/A
United States Saint Paul
Mexico Monterrey General Mariano Escobedo International Airport Terminal B N/A
Russia Moscow Sheremetyevo International Airport Terminals D and E Vietnam Airlines at Domodedovo Airport
United States Newark Newark Liberty International Airport Terminal B N/A
United States New York City John F. Kennedy International Airport Terminals 1 and 4 (International) N/A
Terminals 2 and 3 (Domestic)
France Nice Nice Côte d'Azur Airport Terminal 2 N/A
France Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport Terminals 2E and 2F2 (International) N/A
Terminals 2D and 2F1 (European)
Terminals 2C(Aeroflot), 2D, 2E, 2F and 2G (Air France)
Italy Rome Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport Terminals 1 and 3 Delta Air Lines in Terminal 5
Brazil Rio de Janeiro Rio de Janeiro-Galeão International Airport Terminal 1 Delta Air Lines in Terminal 2
United States San Francisco San Francisco International Airport International Terminal A (International) N/A
Terminals 1 B and C (Domestic)
South Korea Seoul Incheon International Airport Concourse A (East side of the Main terminal) Korean Air
United States Seattle Seattle–Tacoma International Airport South Satellite Terminal N/A
China Shanghai Pudong International Airport Air France, China Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, KLM and Korean Air in Terminal 1 Shanghai Airlines in Terminal 1 (passengers bound to Melbourne only)
Aeroflot, Aeroméxico, China Southern Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Shanghai Airlines and Vietnam Airlines in Terminal 2
Brazil São Paulo São Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport Terminal 1[93] N/A
Japan Tokyo Narita International Airport Terminal 1 North Wing China Airlines in Terminal 2
China Eastern Airlines in Terminal 2
Canada Toronto Toronto Pearson International Airport Terminal 3 N/A
Canada Vancouver Vancouver International Airport International Terminal Delta Air Lines in U.S.A Transboarder Pre-Clearance

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 recognises 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

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)

Qualifying tiers by airline

Member airline Frequent flyer program SkyTeam Elite
(qualifying tiers)		 SkyTeam Elite Plus
(qualifying tiers)
Aeroflot Aeroflot Bonus[6]
Silver
Gold
Aerolíneas Argentinas Aerolíneas Plus[6] Classic Gold
Platinum
Aeroméxico Club Premier[6] Gold Platinum
Titanium
Air Europa Flying Blue[6] Silver Gold
Air France
Kenya Airways Platinum
KLM
TAROM
Alitalia MilleMiglia[6] Silver Ulisse Freccia Alata
Freccia Alata Plus
China Airlines Dynasty Flyer[6] Gold Emerald
Paragon
China Eastern Airlines Eastern Miles[6]
Silver
Gold
China Southern Airlines Sky Pearl Club[6]
Silver
Gold
Czech Airlines OK Plus[6] Silver Gold
Platinum
Delta Air Lines SkyMiles[6] Silver Medallion Gold Medallion
Platinum Medallion
Diamond Medallion
Korean Air SKYPASS[6] Morning Calm Premium
Million Miler
Middle East Airlines Cedar Miles[6]
Silver Cedar
Golden Cedar
Saudia Alfursan[6]
Silver
Gold
Vietnam Airlines Golden Lotus Plus[6] Gold Platinum
Titanium
Xiamen Airlines Egret Club[6]
Silver
Gold

SkyTeam special livery

SkyTeam launched in 2009 a special livery celebrating its 10th anniversary, with Delta Air Lines being the first airline to paint one of its aircraft with these colours. The livery consisted of an all-metallic silver fuselage and a dark blue empennage with SkyTeam's logo on it. On the fuselage, however, the alliance emblem is painted on both sides. As of November 2012, the SkyTeam livery is worn by 44 aircraft.[94]

See also

Portal icon Aviation portal
Portal icon Netherlands portal


Footnotes

Notes

  1. ^ Founding member[80]
  2. ^ Founding member[80]
  3. ^ Air France and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines are part of the airline holding company Air France-KLM
  4. ^ Only flights operated by China Airlines aircraft
  5. ^ Founding member[80]
  6. ^ Air France and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines are part of the airline holding company Air France-KLM
  7. ^ Founding member[80]
  8. ^ Alitalia re-launched operations in 2009
  9. ^ Left the alliance to join Star Alliance with United Airlines
  10. ^ Northwest Airlines' operating certificate was combined with Delta Air Lines' one
  11. ^ A founding affiliate member and relaunched as Aeroméxico Connect
  12. ^ A former charter division, whose operations became part of Aeroméxico.
  13. ^ A founding affiliate member. Replaced by Song Airlines
  14. ^ Song's operations became part of Delta's fleet.
  15. ^ Left the alliance on 24 October 2009,[citation needed] joining Star Alliance in mid-2012.[81]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Management". SkyTeam. Archived from the original on 29 November 2012. Retrieved 29 November 2012. 
  2. ^ "SkyTeam Marks Major Milestones Toward A Centralized Organization". SkyTeam.com. 25 July 2009.  "SkyTeam selected Amsterdam as the location for its global headquarters with offices at the World Trade Center Schiphol Airport."[dead link]
  3. ^ "Welcome to WTC." World Trade Center Schiphol. Retrieved on 10 February 2010.
  4. ^ "Contact Us." World Trade Center Schiphol. Retrieved on 7 February 2011. "World Trade Center Schiphol Airport Schiphol Boulevard 105 1118 BG Schiphol The Netherlands."
  5. ^ Blachly, Linda (4 October 2012). "China Airlines joins SkyTeam Cargo". Air Transport World. Archived from the original on 4 October 2012. Retrieved 4 October 2012. 
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