Cgnnrw From Germany, joined May 2005, 1074 posts, RR: 3 Reply 2, posted (6 years 10 months 6 days ago) and read 2197 times:
I'm a DL skymiles member and frequently use DL when I'm in the States and AF when I travel trans-Atlantic. My experiences have been for the most part quite positive. No airline/alliance is perfect despite what some a.netters wish to believe. There have been so many debates on this site about which alliance is better, etc. it's probably only outranked by the "Boeing vs Airbus" and "is EWR a NY airport?" debates.
As far as new airlines goes, Aeroflot just joined not too long ago. I read something about TAM, MEA, possibly some Chinese carrier as possible candidates. I'm sure it won't take more than a few replies for some a.netter to correct me if I'm wrong.
One slight defect that has been mentioned about Skyteam is it is very Northern Hemisphere oriented. No members from S.America, Southern Asia or Africa.
ContinentalGuy From United States of America, joined May 2006, 90 posts, RR: 0 Reply 3, posted (6 years 10 months 5 days 23 hours ago) and read 2145 times:
ContinentalGuy From United States of America, joined May 2006, 90 posts, RR: 0 Reply 5, posted (6 years 10 months 5 days 23 hours ago) and read 2097 times:
It doesn't some like to much sense to have an airline based in Belgrade, Serbia & Montenegro. I think that Virgin Atlantic or Alaska would be good.
Kiwiandrew From New Zealand, joined Jun 2005, 8435 posts, RR: 15 Reply 6, posted (6 years 10 months 5 days 23 hours ago) and read 2069 times:
Tarom , Air Europa , Copa and Kenya Airways are all supposed to be joining .
CZ is slated to join - but that date never seems to get firmed up , last I heard it had been pushed back to sometime next year
MH would love to join , the KL part of AF/KL is keen on them , I have heard that the AF part is less than keen
ME must be a bit doubtful at the moment with the situation in Lebanon - regardless of the outcome of the current situation it is going to take a long time to regain an image of stability.
VS is 49% owned by Star member SQ which would seem to make them a bit doubtful for Skyteam
TAM is in bed with AA as well as AF so could swing either way
Moderation in all things ... including moderation ;-)
Who have actually now confirmed their intention to join in 07 (See ABTN)
Quote: SKYTEAM ALLIANCE has signed an agreement with China Southern Airlines, which will allow it to become a full member during 2007. The airline is now committed to meet the stringent set of standards required of SkyTeam and implement bilateral code sharing, frequent flyer and lounge agreements with each of the member carriers. China Southern Airlines provides the most extensive airline route network in China – operating more than 600 routes with a fleet of 259 aircraft – and serves a range of international cities that are complementary to SkyTeam’s current destination network, including Dalian and Changsha (China) and Melbourne (Australia).
7L
[Edited 2006-07-18 14:27:42]
Debate is what you put on de hook when you want to catch de fish.
ContinentalGuy From United States of America, joined May 2006, 90 posts, RR: 0 Reply 8, posted (6 years 10 months 5 days 23 hours ago) and read 2053 times:
A few other airlines that would be good include Emirates, EVA, TAP.
DeltaDAWG From United States of America, joined May 2006, 620 posts, RR: 1 Reply 9, posted (6 years 10 months 5 days 23 hours ago) and read 2042 times:
Recently though if you recall Aeroflot joined as a full member as well as Copa, Kenya, MEA, Air Europa and Tarom are all now Associate Members. Of these, Copa, Kenya and Air Europa were the most sought after and should help the alliance the most, especially Kenya with the connections in Africa.
Rumors are still flying as to the Chinese carriers and Malaysia. Malaysia could be a real possibility come 2008 and I would put bets on China Southern as well. Another one that is being highly sought after is Air India and Indian Airlines for the sub-continent connections.
Malaysia would be a great addition for all the SE Asian connections and the closest thing to a South Pacific partner.
Don't count on Alaska jumping in too soon as they have no intentions of being in an alliance in the near future. They have their own alliances that they like and don't want to limit their options.
I personally like SkyTeam but then again I am a loyal DL/AF/AM flyer. While does not have the global coverage the others do so far it is making headway and I believe eventually they will have the SE Asia and S. Pacific covered by way of Malaysia - maybe.
DeltaDAWG From United States of America, joined May 2006, 620 posts, RR: 1 Reply 13, posted (6 years 10 months 5 days 17 hours ago) and read 1619 times:
Mr. EddieDude:
Quote: AMSTERDAM, June 9, 2005 - At a press briefing following its semiannual meeting in Amsterdam today, the SkyTeam Governing Board announced the finalization of the alliance's Associate Program and named the first carriers selected to begin the joining process: Air Europa of Spain; Copa Airlines of Panama; Kenya Airways of Kenya; and Tarom of Romania. All four carriers have already begun the process of meeting the necessary operational and service standards to attain Associate status, with completion expected in 2006. The airlines will sign a SkyTeam Associate Adherence Agreement (SAAA) this summer.
Quote: NEW YORK, January 16, 2006 - Today, the SkyTeam Governing Board announced that Middle East Airlines, Air Liban (MEA), Lebanon's national carrier, has taken the first steps toward becoming a SkyTeam Associate Airline.
Air France will serve as the airline's sponsor during the joining process, with completion expected within the next 15 months.
"We are pleased that MEA, with an established presence in the Middle East region and in the Arabic world, is interested in affiliating itself with SkyTeam," said Jean-Cyril Spinetta, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of AIR FRANCE KLM. "The alliance looks forward to working with the airline and providing all passengers with additional opportunities in this high-growth market."
The MEA may be one that is put on hold indefinitely?
DeltAirlines From United States of America, joined May 1999, 8770 posts, RR: 13 Reply 14, posted (6 years 10 months 5 days 17 hours ago) and read 1571 times:
I don't believe they are full associate members yet...they are just in the stages of becoming one, based on those PRs. For example, my SkyTeam elite status right now means squat on Air Europa, TAROM, Kenya Airways, COPA and MEA...when they become full associate members though, then I'll be able to have priority check-in/boarding/seating etc. As of right now though, if I am on a TAROM flight, I'm a non-status regular passenger.
BAxMAN From St. Helena, joined May 2004, 671 posts, RR: 3 Reply 15, posted (6 years 10 months 5 days 17 hours ago) and read 1571 times:
Have AT been courted by, or indicated an intention, to join an alliance? They extend beyond Morocco into Senegal & West Africa through their involvement with V7 (Air Senegal). The number of unattached airlines who could realistically be of significant benefit to an alliance is diminishing rapidly (not this bothers *Alliance!)
Quoting ContinentalGuy (Reply 5): It doesn't some like to much sense to have an airline based in Belgrade, Serbia & Montenegro. I think that Virgin Atlantic or Alaska would be good.
I don't think people based in Serbia, or Eastern/Central Europe would agree with you. They probably wouldn't see the point of having an airline based in SEA in the alliance.
I believe that the best option for them is to stay out of any alliance, as their relationship with AF and AA are very good.
When they announced the flight to LHR, the first thing i thought was: TAM is going to leave AF and start sharing flights with BA thru LHR and will join One World.
But JJ has recently expanded it's cooperation with AF, so... no alliances is the best option IMO.
Quoting ContinentalGuy (Reply 5): It doesn't some like to much sense to have an airline based in Belgrade, Serbia & Montenegro. I think that Virgin Atlantic or Alaska would be good.
DFWMzuri From United States of America, joined Nov 2005, 248 posts, RR: 0 Reply 18, posted (6 years 10 months 5 days 15 hours ago) and read 1387 times:
Quoting Kiwiandrew (Reply 6): Tarom , Air Europa , Copa and Kenya Airways are all supposed to be joining
Quoting DeltaDAWG (Reply 9): especially Kenya with the connections in Africa.
I agree that Kenya Airways will help Skyteam in Africa; I look forward to more options to East Africa.
MAS777 From United Kingdom, joined Jul 1999, 2916 posts, RR: 7 Reply 19, posted (6 years 10 months 5 days 13 hours ago) and read 1304 times:
Malaysia Airlines has already relaunched its Enrich FFP to become more in tune with Skyteam and Flying Blue (posted this a while back). 4 new membership tiers - Blue, Silver, Gold and Platinum. Silver, Gold and Platinum have all been coined to have 'Elite' status and discounted economy fares will also earn mileage similar to Flying Blue.
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