SkyTeam alliance information: Airways, lounges and standing

The SkyTeam alliance connects 437 million passengers yearly to greater than 1,000 locations in 166 nations. The alliance started in 2000 with Delta Air Strains, Air France, Aeromexico and Korean Air.
You may discover two SkyTeam alliance standing tiers: Elite and Elite Plus. On this information, we’ll focus on the SkyTeam airline alliance members, standing advantages and lounges.
SkyTeam alliance members
Listed below are the airways which are a part of the SkyTeam alliance:
- Aerolinas Argentinas
- Aeromexico
- Air Europa
- Air France
- China Airways
- China Japanese Airways
- Czech Airways
- Delta Air Strains
- Garuda Indonesia
- ITA Airways
- Kenya Airways
- KLM
- Korean Air
- Center East Airways
- Saudia
- TAROM
- Vietnam Airways
- Virgin Atlantic
- Xiamen Airways
You may discover that Aeroflot is lacking from the above checklist, because the airline and SkyTeam agreed to briefly droop Aeroflot’s SkyTeam membership after Russia invaded Ukraine.
Associated: The very best web sites for looking SkyTeam award availability
SkyTeam alliance standing tiers
The SkyTeam alliance rewards frequent flyers of its member airways with two SkyTeam alliance standing tiers: Elite and Elite Plus. When you’ve got elite standing with a SkyTeam airline, you may even have Elite or Elite Plus standing with the SkyTeam alliance. This is a have a look at each tiers.
SkyTeam Elite
When you’ve got SkyTeam Elite standing, you may get the next perks when flying SkyTeam airways:
- Precedence reservation waitlist (in case your fare permits it)
- Most well-liked seating
- Precedence check-in counters
- Precedence boarding
- Further baggage allowance
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One strategy to get SkyTeam Elite standing is by having Delta Silver Medallion standing. Nonetheless, in case you have the bottom tier of elite standing with one other SkyTeam airline, you seemingly even have SkyTeam Elite standing.
SkyTeam Elite Plus
Along with the advantages supplied to SkyTeam Elite members, SkyTeam Elite Plus members additionally get the next perks when flying SkyTeam airways:
- Capability to e book a full-fare Y-class reservation on sold-out long-haul flights (should you e book no less than 24 hours earlier than departure)
- Entry to airport lounges worldwide with a visitor
- Precedence baggage dealing with on arrival
- Further baggage allowance
When you’ve got Delta Diamond, Platinum or Gold Medallion standing, you may even have SkyTeam Elite Plus standing. Likewise, the highest tiers of elite standing with different SkyTeam airways additionally confer SkyTeam Elite Plus standing.
Caveats for SkyTeam elite advantages
The advantages of SkyTeam Elite and Elite Plus standing sound nice, however know that sure exclusions apply to the advantages. For instance, most popular seating might not be accessible in case you are touring in fundamental financial system. And should you’re touring on a flight operated by Air France, you may solely get complimentary most popular seats if touring on a Y- or B-fare ticket.
In observe, SkyTeam is normally believed to be worse than Oneworld and Star Alliance in terms of all member airways honoring elite advantages persistently.
Associated: Methods to get airline elite standing
SkyTeam lounges
SkyTeam has greater than 750 lounges worldwide. In principle, it is best to have entry to those lounges on worldwide SkyTeam flights in case you have Elite Plus standing or are touring in a qualifying premium cabin.
Nonetheless, every SkyTeam lounge has a novel entry coverage, so I like to recommend referring to the SkyTeam lounge finder for entry coverage data. Some SkyTeam lounges solely settle for passengers flying choose SkyTeam airways.
You may deliver one visitor into the lounge as an Elite Plus member whenever you’re touring on a qualifying flight. Your visitor should journey internationally on a SkyTeam airline, however they do not must be on the identical flight as you.
Associated: 5 methods to make sure you have lounge entry earlier than your subsequent flight
Backside line
The SkyTeam alliance affords helpful advantages to elite members. Nonetheless, it is vital to mood your expectations, as your advantages as an Elite or Elite Plus member will differ in observe relying on the airline you are flying.
It is best to examine with the airline you are flying earlier than assuming you may get most popular seating or an additional baggage allowance in case you have SkyTeam Elite or Elite Plus standing. Likewise, examine the SkyTeam lounge finder earlier than heading to the airport should you plan to make use of a lounge.