SkyTeam Alliance Airline Network

Starting with four airlines in 2000, the SkyTeam alliance has grown into a strong network with 20 of the world’s major carriers. It now manages more than 750 million passengers a year and provide access to more than 750 airport lounges worldwide. This gives you the chance to travel globally and enjoy perks and benefits by being a frequent flyer to one of the member airlines.

How does the SkyTeam Alliance program work?

SkyTeam does not have its own reward program. Instead, membership in any of its 20-member airlines’ reward programs gives you access to benefits across the entire alliance network.

This means that having an airline credit card from one of the alliance members lets you earn and redeem miles across all members. Plus, depending on your elite status with your airline, you can enjoy SkyTeam elite perks and benefits.

Benefits of SkyTeam Alliance membership

Standard SkyTeam Alliance membership offers perks that include:

• Flexible miles spending.
  Even though you’re earning miles in one airline program, you can spend your miles on flights across all member airlines.
• Flight connections.
  With such an extensive network of flights, you can plan an around the world trip on one single ticket. The Go Round the World Pass lets you make up to 15 stops during your journey, worldwide. Despite flying on different airlines, you’ll still earn miles from each flight.
• Round the World Planner.
  This interactive online tool lets you plan your own trip, add and delete stops, choose flights, compare routes and save your itinerary over multiple sessions.
• Lounge access.
  SkyTeam Elite Plus members, as well as Business and First Class travelers, enjoy complimentary access to 750 SkyTeam lounges across the world.
• Guaranteed reservation on sold-out flights.
  If you’re an Elite Plus member you can be assured of a seat on any of SkyTeam’s long-haul flights, worldwide.
• Baggage allowance.
  SkyTeam Elite members can carry up to 10 kilograms — about 22 pounds — of extra baggage, while SkyTeam Elite Plus members can carry up to an additional 20 kilograms — about 44 pounds. Both tier members can carry one extra piece of luggage.
• Priority check-in and boarding.
  Both Elite and Elite Plus members enjoy the benefits of faster check-in, priority seating and can board at their convenience.
• Corporate contracts.
  SkyTeam offers corporate agreements tailored to meet your company’s business travel needs.
• Corporate meetings.
  SkyTeam can also plan global events for your business, including packaging discount airfares for attendees, and providing promotional support materials.

Skyteam Alliance status levels

You become entitled to more privileges when you ascend the tier levels of SkyTeam Elite and SkyTeam Elite Plus. Each SkyTeam tier is equated to a tier of your primary airline reward program, and you can earn it through your primary membership program.

Once you’ve earned elite status in your primary program, you’re recognized as a SkyTeam Elite frequent flyer across all member airlines.

The above Elite Plus priority services are branded as SkyPriority and are also available to First and Business Class passengers.

Which airlines belong to the SkyTeam Alliance?

Airline	Information
Aeroflot	Russia’s national carrier Aeroflot currently operates flights to 131 destinations in 50 countries, 45 destinations within Russia. It has a fleet of 190, makes 600 daily departures and serves 26.1 million passengers yearly.
Aerolíneas Argentinas	One of South America’s leading airlines. Based in Buenos Aires, it flies to 18 international destinations in the Americas, Europe and the South Pacific. Within Argentina, Aerolineas Argentinas flies to 35 locations. It serves 58 destinations in total with 248 daily departures and has 8.3 million passengers annually.
Aeromexico	Mexico’s global airline Aeromexico has flights to 78 destinations in 45 countries, including the US, Canada, Central and South America and Europe, as well as direct flights to Asia. It operates 600 daily flights and serves 15.5 million passengers annually.
Air Europa	Headquartered in Spain, this European airline flies to 42 destinations in 19 countries including Europe, Western Africa and the Americas. It has a fleet of 43 planes making 184 daily departures, and serves 8.1 million passengers annually.
Air France	France’s main airline operates 1,500 daily flights in Europe and around the world. It covers 191 destinations, 95 countries and serves 51.6 million passengers each year.
Alitalia	Italy’s largest airline Alitalia flies to 83 destinations across 41 countries with a fleet of 120. Its daily flight departures stands at 500 and annual passenger count at 23.2 million.
China Airlines	Taiwan’s largest airline company China Airlines serves 95 destinations worldwide, connecting Asia, Europe, North America and Oceania. It covers 29 countries with 238 daily departures and records 14.1 million passengers annually.
China Eastern	One of the three major Chinese airlines, China Eastern flies to 217 destinations across 26 countries. With 1,880 daily flights, this airline transports 79.1 million passengers every year.
China Southern	With over 1900 flights daily, China Southern’s network spans 190 destinations across 40 countries. It transports 86.5 million passengers yearly, and holds the best flight safety record among Chinese airlines.
Czech Airlines	The Czech Republic’s flagship carrier, Czech Airlines flies to 40 destinations across 22 countries. With 54 daily departures and fleet of 24, its yearly passenger load stands at 2.8 million people.
Delta Air Lines	Headquartered in Atlanta, this American airline flies to 326 destinations in 59 countries. It offers 5,000 daily departures with a large fleet of 700, and serves a staggering 170 million passengers each year.
Garuda Indonesia	Indonesia’s flagship airline Garuda Indonesia flies to 70 destinations worldwide in 59 countries. It operates 534 daily departures and has a yearly passenger load of 19.6 million.
Kenya Airways	Africa’s leading carrier Kenya Airways is based in Nairobi and flies to 62 locations across 48 countries. It serves 3.7 million travelers each year with 154 daily flights.
KLM	Founded in 1919, Royal Dutch Airlines is based in the Netherlands and remains the world’s oldest carrier operating under its original name. KLM flies to 144 destinations and covers 74 countries. It makes 616 daily departures and carries 26.6 million passengers each year.
Korean Air	Among the founding members of the SkyTeam Alliance, Korean Air covers 129 destinations across 46 countries. It operates 430 daily departures and serves 23 million passengers annually.
Middle East Airlines – Air Liban	Lebanon’s national carrier Middle East Airlines is the leading airline in the region. Based in Beirut, it serves 31 destinations across 21 countries with 62 daily departures. It has a fleet of 17 planes and an annual passenger load of 2.3 million.
Saudia	Saudi Arabia’s flagship carrier is based in Jeddah and flies to 26 domestic and 53 international destinations across 36 countries, with 506 daily departures. It has a fleet of 117 aircraft and an annual passenger count of 25 million.
Tarom	This Romanian flagship airline is based in Bucharest and travels to 40 destinations across 24 countries. With 100 departures each day and a fleet of 23 aircraft, the airline serves 2.2 million passengers yearly.
Vietnam Airlines	Connecting 47 destinations in 18 countries across the Asia-Pacific region, Europe and the United States, Vietnam Airlines makes 308 daily departures with a fleet of 82 aircraft, and serves 15 million passengers a year.
Xiamen Air	Xiamen Air operates in south-eastern China and is headquartered in Xiamen. It connects 63 destinations across nine countries, and serves 18.5 million passengers annually with 646 daily flights and a fleet of 103.

Drawbacks of the SkyTeam Alliance Airline Network

• Frequent-flyer motivated. Most of the alliance’s benefits are targeted at SkyTeam Elite and Elite Plus members, rather than casual flyers.
• Limitations. Some of the alliance benefits are not extended to certain countries by certain airlines. And the network’s presence in some areas also remains limited, such as in the Oceania region.
• Miles expire. Depending on your primary airline’s membership program, you may need to redeem your airline miles before the end of the calendar year, as some airlines reset miles on January 1st of each year.

Bottom line

While it doesn’t have complete coverage of every area, the SkyTeam Alliance Airline Network has a solid presence around the world among its 20 partner airlines. Frequent international travelers, especially those who favor Delta, could find a cobranded card within the SkyTeam Alliance helpful when it comes to earning and redeeming rewards.

Not all areas of the globe are serviced by the network though, and you may find other travel cards are better suited to your travel and spending habits.

Frequently asked questions

• Is there a SkyTeam credit card?

  SkyTeam does not offer a separate alliance card to frequent flyers on its network. It recommends that you join the airline rewards program you most frequently travel with and then take advantage of benefits across the alliance.

• How do I redeem airline miles?

  Passengers earn miles on SkyTeam-operated flights and redeem them through their primary airline program. Flights and upgrades can be redeemed across the alliance, but some exceptions apply depending on the route and class of ticket purchased.

• Can I transfer or combine miles?

  Each SkyTeam airline program is independent, and miles earned separately on different airlines within the network can’t be combined. This shouldn’t be a problem as long as you sign up with one airline program and earn miles with that program.

• How can I check my airline miles balance?

  You can log in to your online frequent flyer account or speak to your airline’s customer service for details.

• What if my airline miles are not credited?

  If you forgot to use your frequent flyer number and earn miles, log in to your online account and enter your flight information. Your miles should appear in your account soon after.

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