The SkyTeam Alliance: Everything You Need To Know (Partners Listed)

Key Takeaways

• SkyTeam is a major global airline alliance comprising 18 airlines, including Delta, KLM, and Virgin Atlantic. It offers a vast network of over 1,000 destinations.
• To achieve SkyTeam elite status, members must earn status with a partner airline and then receive a corresponding SkyTeam Elite tier that’s recognized across all SkyTeam carriers.
• SkyTeam Elite benefits include priority for reservation waitlists and standby, preferred seating, priority check-in, boarding, and baggage drop-off, plus extra baggage allowance.

SkyTeam Alliance

“Caring more about you.”

Founded: June 2000
Headquarters: Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, Haarlemmermeer, Netherlands
Website: skyteam.com

The Numbers/Statistics

• Annual Customers: 630+ million
• Daily Flights: 14,500+
• Destinations: 1,150+
• Countries: 175+
• Lounges: 750+

SkyTeam Partners

How It Works

To achieve SkyTeam status, members must first accrue status through their respective partner airline of choice. Once this is achieved, an equivalent SkyTeam tier status is issued and travelers become a SkyTeam Elite frequent flyer which is recognized across all 21 SkyTeam carriers (see “Status Equivalents” below).

Miles earned through multiple different airline programs cannot be combined to reach the designation for SkyTeam status.

That being said, passengers traveling on eligible flights operated by SkyTeam member airlines will accrue miles/points, which can be redeemed across the entire SkyTeam network.

Status Levels

• SkyTeam Elite
• SkyTeam Elite Plus

Benefits

Tier Breakdown

SkyTeam Elite: When your respective tier status is equivalent to SkyTeam Elite, you may take advantage of the following benefits, no matter which SkyTeam airline you are flying or cabin class you’re assigned.

Priority on Waitlists and When on Standby (Where Offered)

• This allows those with status to move ahead of other non-status flyers on reservation lists and standby lists, making it more likely to be granted a seat on the flight in question.

Access to Preferred/Pre-Reserved Seating (Where Offered)

• SkyTeam Elite/Plus members are allowed the opportunity to select seats which are available only to them, from the time of booking.

Access to Priority Check-In Counters

• This can significantly expedite time spent in line/at the airport ticket counter.

Access to Priority Boarding

• Priority boarding is usually called somewhere after pre-board travelers (passengers needing assistance, passengers with young children, etc.) and premium cabin passengers, but before general boarding.

Extra Baggage Allowance*

• Using the “weight” concept, Elite members are eligible for an additional 22 pounds (10 kg.) baggage weight.
• Using the “piece” concept, Elite members are eligible for 1 extra piece of luggage.

* Exclusions apply.

Access to Priority Baggage Drop-Off

• This can significantly expedite time spent checking and dropping off any baggage.

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SkyTeam Elite Plus: When your respective tier status is equivalent to SkyTeam Elite Plus, you may take advantage of the following benefits, no matter which SkyTeam airline you are flying or cabin class you’re assigned.

Access to all of the above SkyTeam Elite benefits are included, with the following differences/additions:

Extra Baggage Allowance*

• Using the “weight” concept, Elite Plus members are eligible for an additional 44 pounds (20 kg.) baggage weight.
• Using the “piece” concept, Elite Plus members are eligible for 1 extra piece of luggage.

* Exclusions apply.

Priority Baggage Handling

• This ensures SkyTeam Elite Plus member baggage is given priority from aircraft to carousel when traveling on any cabin on any eligible SkyTeam flight.

Guaranteed Reservations on Sold-Out Flights

• Elite Plus members are eligible for guaranteed full-fare Y-class reservations on sold-out long-haul flights, at least 24 hours prior to departure.

Access to Over 750+ Airport Lounges When Traveling Internationally.*

• This includes premium first class, business and frequent flyer lounges, regardless of service class flown at the time of travel.
• This also includes 1 guest (must be traveling on a flight operated by a SkyTeam carrier, same flight not required); exceptions apply — more lounge details here.
• Lounge access is not permitted only on departures and transfers, not on arrival.

Access to Airline Lounges When Traveling Domestically.

• SkyTeam Elite Plus customers traveling on domestic flights will receive lounge access at select lounges.
  • Exception: SkyTeam Elite Plus via Delta SkyMiles or Aerolinas Argentinas membership.
• Elite Plus customers can bring 1 guest into the lounge (traveling on the same SkyTeam-operated flight).
• Eligible Elite Plus, business, and first class customers can access the lounge up to 3 hours before departure.
• Lounge access not available for mixed-cabin itineraries (every leg of the trip must be in business/first class)

Access to Priority Security Lanes (At Select Airports, for Select Carriers)

• This can significantly decrease security wait times.
• Restrictions and local agreements cause significant variations in the ability to utilize this benefit. More information is available here.

Access to Priority Immigration Lanes (At Select Airports, for Select Carriers)

• This can significantly decrease immigration/customs wait times.
• Restrictions and local agreements cause significant variations in the ability to utilize this benefit. More information is available here.

Access to Priority Transfer Desks

• This can significantly decrease connection/transfer wait times.
• Restrictions and local agreements cause significant variations in the ability to utilize this benefit. More information is available here.

SkyPriority Recognition

• SkyPriority Recognition includes all of the services above. In addition, you may be recognized for your loyalty.
• SkyPriority is applicable for all flights operated by SkyTeam carriers including SkyTeam regional carriers and affiliates that fly under the same code of the SkyTeam carrier. More information is available here.

Status Equivalents

Aeroflot (Temporarily Suspended)

• Aeroflot Bonus Silver = SkyTeam Elite
• Aeroflot Bonus Gold = SkyTeam Elite Plus
• Aeroflot Bonus Platinum = SkyTeam Elite Plus

Aerolíneas Argentinas

• Aerolíneas Plus Oro = SkyTeam Elite
• Aerolíneas Plus Platino = SkyTeam Elite Plus
• Aerolíneas Plus Diamente = SkyTeam Elite Plus

Aeroméxico

• Aeromexico Rewards Gold = SkyTeam Elite
• Aeromexico Rewards Platinum = SkyTeam Elite Plus
• Aeromexico Rewards Titanium = SkyTeam Elite Plus

Air Europa

• SUMA Silver = SkyTeam Elite
• SUMA Gold = SkyTeam Elite Plus
• SUMA Platinum = SkyTeam Elite Plus

Air France/KLM, Kenya Airways, TAROM

• Flying Blue Silver = SkyTeam Elite
• Flying Blue Gold = SkyTeam Elite Plus
• Flying Blue Platinum = SkyTeam Elite Plus

China Airlines

• Dynasty Flyer Gold = SkyTeam Elite
• Dynasty Flyer Emerald = SkyTeam Elite Plus
• Dynasty Flyer Paragon = SkyTeam Elite Plus

China Eastern Airlines

• Eastern Miles Silver = SkyTeam Elite
• Eastern Miles Gold = SkyTeam Elite Plus

Delta Air Lines

• SkyMiles Silver Medallion = SkyTeam Elite
• SkyMiles Gold Medallion = SkyTeam Elite Plus
• SkyMiles Platinum Medallion = SkyTeam Elite Plus
• SkyMiles Diamond Medallion = SkyTeam Elite Plus

Garuda Indonesia

• Garuda Miles Gold = SkyTeam Elite
• Garuda Miles Gold EC+ = SkyTeam Elite
• Garuda Miles Platinum = SkyTeam Elite Plus

Kenya Airways

• Asante Rewards Silver Elite = SkyTeam Elite
• Asante Rewards Gold Elite Plus = SkyTeam Elite Plus
• Asante Rewards Platinum Elite Plus = SkyTeam Elite Plus

Korean Air

• SKYPASS Morning Calm Club = SkyTeam Elite
• SKYPASS Morning Calm Premium Club = SkyTeam Elite Plus
• SKYPASS Million Miler Club = SkyTeam Elite Plus

Middle East Airlines (MEA)

• Cedar Miles Silver = SkyTeam Elite
• Cedar Miles Gold = SkyTeam Elite Plus
• Cedar Miles Platinum = SkyTeam Elite Plus

Saudia

• Alfursan Silver = SkyTeam Elite
• Alfursan Gold = SkyTeam Elite Plus

Scandinavian Airlines (SAS)

• EuroBonus Silver = SkyTeam Elite
• EuroBonus Gold = SkyTeam Elite Plus
• EuroBonus Diamond = SkyTeam Elite Plus
• EuroBonus Pandion = SkyTeam Elite Plus

Vietnam Airlines

• Golden Lotus Plus Titanium = SkyTeam Elite
• Golden Lotus Plus Gold = SkyTeam Elite
• Golden Lotus Plus Platinum = SkyTeam Elite Plus

Virgin Atlantic

• Virgin Silver = SkyTeam Elite
• Virgin Gold = SkyTeam Elite Plus

XiamenAir

• Egret Club Silver = SkyTeam Elite
• Egret Club Gold = SkyTeam Elite
• Egret Club Platinum = SkyTeam Elite Plus
• Egret Club Diamond = SkyTeam Elite Plus

SkyTeam Hubs

SkyTeam offers transfer service centers at each of their high-traffic hubs (those that are not currently open are being developed). For assistance with transfer information, printing a boarding pass, or selecting a seat, SkyTeam members can receive assistance at these centers.

Similarly, the SkyTeam service center can assist members in the event of missing a connecting flight by re-booking on the next available flight.

Self-service kiosks are also available at the SkyTeam main hubs.

Global hub cities currently include:

• Aeroflot: Moscow (SVO), Pulkovo (LED)
• Aerolíneas Argentinas: Buenos Aires (EZE, AEP), Cordoba (COR)
• Aeroméxico: Guadalajara (GDL), Mexico City (MEX), Monterrey (MTY)
• Air Europa: Madrid (MAD)
• Air France: Lyon (LYS), Paris (CDG)
• China Airlines: Kaohsiung (KHH), Taipei (TPE), Taichung (TXG)
• China Eastern Airlines: Shanghai (PVG, SHA)
• Delta Air Lines: Atlanta (ATL), Detroit (DTW), Los Angeles (LAX), Minneapolis/St. Paul (MSP), New York (JFK), Salt Lake City (SLC), Seattle (SEA)
• Garuda Indonesia: Bali-Denpasar (DPS), Jakarta (CGK)
• Kenya Airways: Nairobi (NBO)
• KLM Royal Dutch Airlines: Amsterdam (AMS)
• Korean Air: Gimhae (PUS), Jeju (CJU), Seoul (ICN)
• Middle East Airlines: Beirut (BEY)
• Saudia: Jeddah (JED), Riyadh (RUH)
• Scandinavian Airlines: Copenhagen (CPH), Oslo (OSL), and Stockholm (ARN)
• TAROM: Bucharest (OTP)
• Vietnam Airlines: Hanoi (HAN), Ho Chi Minh City (SGN)
• Virgin Atlantic: London Heathrow (LHR), Manchester (MAN)
• Xiamen Air: Fuzhou (FOC), Xiamen (XMN)

Global Travel

Due to the number of cooperating airlines, providing travelers with opportunities for global travel is simplified within alliance networks.

With SkyTeam “Round the World,” members can choose a global journey with 2-15 stops. Itineraries must include at least 1 transatlantic flight, 1 transpacific flight, and 1 flight between Area 2 and Area 3. These trips must also start and end in the same country (same city not required).

Learn more about SkyTeam’s Round the World planning here.

SkyTeam Exclusive Lounges

SkyTeam provides “Exclusive Lounges” at the following airports:

• Beijing (PEK): Terminal 2, Mezzanine Level
• Dubai (DXB): Terminal 1, Concourse D
• Hong Kong (HKG): Terminal 1, close to Gate 15
• London-Heathrow (LHR): Terminal 4, opposite Gate 10
• Sydney (SYD): International Terminal, Pier B (East) next to gate 24
• Vancouver (YVR): West wing of the International Concourse D, near gate 53