Category Archives: SkyTeam

SAS to join the SkyTeam Alliance on September 1

SAS made this announcement:

Today marks an exciting milestone as SkyTeam and SAS have officially signed an Alliance Adherence Agreement (AAA), serving as an important step toward SAS’ official entry into the global airline alliance. SkyTeam and SAS are committed to ensuring a seamless transition for all customers.

From September 1, 2024, SAS will officially become a part of SkyTeam, enriching the alliance with the best access to Scandinavian key hubs. This collaboration will bolster SkyTeam’s global network, offering new destinations, enhanced connectivity, and a more seamless, elevated customer journey for all travellers.

From the moment SAS joins SkyTeam, EuroBonus members will enjoy benefits across most SkyTeam airlines. EuroBonus Silver members will be recognized as SkyTeam Elite level, while Gold and Diamond members will be recognized as Elite Plus. This will offer them access to a network of 750+ airport lounges and SkyPriority services at eight airport touchpoints including priority check-in, boarding and baggage handling.

SAS customers will benefit from easy connectivity across SkyTeam’s network of 1,060+ destinations, which includes their favourites as well as previously unserved cities – particularly across Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean. SkyTeam and SAS share the vision of providing a valued customer experience through quality products, innovation, and dedicated service.

SkyTeam members serving SAS’ hubs include Air France, KLM, Delta Air Lines and Middle East Airlines (MEA).

SAS aircraft photo gallery:

SkyTeam boots (suspends) Aeroflot

SkyTeam and Aeroflot have agreed to temporarily suspend the airline’s SkyTeam membership.

SkyTeam is the alliance dedicated to providing passengers with a more seamless travel experience at every step of their journey. 19 member airlines working together across an extensive global network to welcome 676 million customers each year on more than 15,445 daily flights to 1,036 destinations in 170 countries.

SkyTeam welcomes ITA Airways

SkyTeam, the global airline alliance, has welcomed ITA Airways – Italy’s new national carrier – into the alliance, replacing Alitalia. With ITA Airways on board, SkyTeam’s 700 million customers will continue to enjoy seamless connections to key destinations across Italy.

Alitalia ceased operations on October 14 and left the SkyTeam global airline alliance on the same date. SkyTeam has agreed with Alitalia Loyalty to continue the partnership that will enable the six million members of the MilleMiglia frequent flyer program to earn and redeem miles on selected SkyTeam members’ flights, offering a wealth of opportunities and exclusive services.

China Southern to leave the SkyTeam alliance

China Southern Airlines will leave the SkyTeam alliance on January 1, 2019.

SkyTeam issued this statement:

China Southern Airlines has decided not to renew its contract with SkyTeam, the global airline alliance, as of 1 January 2019.

China Southern’s decision reflects its strategic development, the changing trends of the global aviation industry and the evolution of alliances.

SkyTeam and China Southern have agreed to work closely together to ensure a seamless transition for all customers and partners. That process will run throughout 2019 and will complete by the year-end.

Kristin Colvile, SkyTeam CEO, “Network has always been the foundation of SkyTeam. Our new value proposition retains that strong integrated network and combines it with our continued focus on improving customer experience through technology. China Southern has been a valued member of SkyTeam. We respect its decision and wish it well.”

Top Copyright Photo: China Southern Airlines Boeing 737-81B WL B-5640 (msn 38918) (SkyTeam) TPE (Manuel Negrerie). Image: 944381.

China Southern aircraft slide show:

SkyTeam launches a new metasearch tool on its website

Delta Air Lines mad this announcement:

SkyTeam, the global airline alliance has launched a new metasearch tool on its website making it easier for customers to plan and book trips on all 20 member airlines. SkyTeam is the first airline alliance to offer a comprehensive flight search tool that harnesses the full scope of its global network, showing real-time availability, schedule and pricing information across 1,074 destinations with clearly displayed results all in one place.

SkyTeam’s new Find Flights metasearch works in three simple steps:

The customer enters their dates of travel and itinerary in Find Flights on skyteam.com.
The metasearch aggregates all the flight options for the customer from the 20 member airlines,which are then all displayed on one page.
The customer selects the preferred trip from real-time price, schedule, availability, and routing, and is then redirected to the chosen airline’s website to complete the purchase.

“Find Flights is the most used online function for the millions of unique visitors to our site each year, the majority of whom tell us they want to book travel online with ease,” said Kristin Colvile, SkyTeam’s Chief Executive Officer. “SkyTeam’s latest technology innovation meets customers’ needs by delivering a tool that simplifies searching for flights onlinewhile making it easier to earn Frequent Flyer miles by booking within our alliance.”

SkyTeam’s new metasearch engine is one in a series of technology solutions that have been launched this year alone to enhance the customer experience at every touchpoint.

In June, SkyTeam unveiled the SkyLink Digital Spine. The Spine bridges technology differences between members to make it easier for customers to book ancillary products – such as preferred seats – across different airlines on one itinerary.

At the airport SkyTeam Rebooking, an industry-leading tool to minimize the inconvenience of flight delays and cancellations is getting customers on their way more quickly. Meanwhile, SkyTeam’s airport maps, available on the free SkyTeam app, are helping customers navigate airports, reducing stress and making their transfers smoother.

For more information visit www.skyteam.com

SkyTeam airlines:

Garuda Indonesia becomes the 20th member of SkyTeam

Garuda Indonesia Airways (Jakarta) today (March 5) has become the 20th member of SkyTeam. SkyTeam issued this statement:

SkyTeam, the global airline alliance, has welcomed Garuda Indonesia as its 20th member and second airline from Southeast Asia. Garuda’s membership adds Jakarta as an alternative gateway to and from South East Asia, as well as 40 new destinations to SkyTeam’s global network served uniquely by the alliance.

Garuda flies to 64 destinations in 12 countries, including 40 domestic destinations. SkyTeam customers from every continent will benefit from easier access to Indonesia’s key business and tourism destinations, facilitated by Garuda’s partnerships with alliance members.

The airline boosts SkyTeam’s presence in Australia with service to Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney; and in Tokyo with flights to both Narita and Haneda airports. Garuda will increase its service to Europe in May this year with a new route between Jakarta and London’s Gatwick airport.

As part of the requirements of joining SkyTeam, Garuda is implementing the alliance’s customer-focused initiatives. These include SkyPriority – priority airport services for Elite Plus, First and Business Class passengers worldwide – which has been rolled out at over 900 airports globally. Effective immediately, Garuda’s 19 million annual passengers will be able to earn and redeem miles when flying on SkyTeam member-operated flights. Members of other SkyTeam airlines’ frequent flyer programs can also earn and redeem miles when flying on Garuda Indonesia operated flights.

Copyright Photo: Nick Dean/AirlinersGallery.com. Garuda Indonesia has added new Boeing 777-300 ERs for its long-range routes. Boeing 777-3U3 ER PK-GIC (msn 40075) departs from Paine Field near Everett.

Garuda Indonesia:

Middle East Airlines (MEA) joins the SkyTeam Alliance

Middle East Airlines-MEA (Air Liban) (Beirut) yesterday (June 28) was welcomed into SkyTeam, the global airline alliance. MEA becomes the 17th member. The flag carrier of Lebanon, MEA becomes SkyTeam’s second Middle Eastern member, offering customers from the region access to an extensive global network.

MEA flies to 30 international destinations throughout Africa, the Middle East and Europe. MEA’s membership of SkyTeam makes it easier for customers to travel to and from Lebanon, whether it’s for business or leisure. This especially benefits the large Lebanese communities living in the US, Canada and Brazil, who will be able to connect via the major hubs Paris CDG and Rome. Beirut is served by SkyTeam members Alitalia, Air France, Aeroflot, Saudia and TAROM, providing additional connections via their hubs in Europe and the Middle East.

China has become an increasingly important trade partner for the Middle East. With members China Airlines, China Eastern and China Southern, the SkyTeam network opens up increased opportunities for commerce in the Greater China Region.

MEA:

Saudi Arabian Airlines introduces its first Boeing 777 SkyTeam logojet

Saudi Arabian Airlines (Jeddah) today (May 27) put into service its first Boeing 777 SkyTeam logojet from Amsterdam. The carrier will join the alliance in June.

Copyright Photo: Ton Jochems. Boeing 777-268 ER HZ-AKA (msn 28344) taxies at AMS today after being repainted. The jetliner also carries Saudia titles.

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