Priority services on airlines can be a very mixed bag - however, SkyTeam has been pushing its members along to deliver a unified experience called "SkyPriority" - trying to unify the ground experience so it is constant between airlines. SkyPriority offers: Priority check-in areas Priority baggage drop off Priority service at ticket/transfer desks Accelerated … [Read more...]
Xiamen Airlines joins SkyTeam
SkyTeam continues its China expansion apace, with Xiamen Airlines joining the alliance. The airline become the 19th member of SkyTeam. Xiamen Airlines operates over 220 routes from its main hubs in Xiamen, Fuzhou and Hangzhou, covering the China area as well as SouthEast and NorthEast Asia. The airline itself is an all-Boeing shop, operating 86 aircraft - Boeing 737's … [Read more...]
Hell freezes over – Virgin Atlantic in talks to join “an alliance”
It seems that snowball in hell has brought itself a very comfy hat to insulate itself as Virgin Atlantic has confirmed it is in "advanced talks" with "an alliance" according to Blomberg Speaking to Blomberg, Richard Branson says: Virgin Atlantic, the airline controlled by U.K. billionaire Richard Branson, is in “fairly advanced talks” to join an aviation alliance as the … [Read more...]
AeroMexico opens its wallet to Boeing
SkyTeam member AeroMexico has been working with Boeing, and has today announced it has signed a letter of intent for a fleet of aircraft. The letter of intent is up for the following: A mix of 90 737-MAX 8 Series and 737-MAX 9 Series (To be powered using CFM International LEAP-1B engines) Ten Boeing 787-9's (To be powered using GE Aviation GEnx-1B engines) At list … [Read more...]
MEA joins formally joins SkyTeam
Middle East Airlines of Lebanon today has been accepted formally into the SkyTeam alliance as its 17th member, and for SkyTeam, its second member in the Middle East. MEA is based out of Beirut, and operate a fleet of 17 aircraft (Airbus A320's, Airbus A321 and Airbus A330), flying to 31 destinations in Middle East, Europe, and West Africa. Prior to joining, the carrier … [Read more...]
Saudi Arabian Airlines rebrands to Saudia, formally joins Skyteam
Well it seems Skyteam is making a major attempt to take on the some of the Middle Eastern airlines as Saudi Arabian Airlines formally joins Skyteam today. And to mark the occasion, there's a re-brand for the airline as they change from Saudi Arabian Airlines to Saudia - not that you could tell from their website, Skyteam's website or anywhere else for that matter. The … [Read more...]
SkyTeam to expand again – Xiamen Airlines to join
News from China and SkyTeam that Xiamen Airlines is set to join the alliance, and will become a full member towards the end of 2012. In some ways this isn't surprising at all as Xiamen Airlines is 60% owned by China Southern Airlines - who also happens to be sponsoring their entry into the alliance. Xiamen Airlines currently operates a mostly China domestic programme … [Read more...]
CI: China Airlines formally joins SkyTeam
Today, the SkyTeam Alliance welcomes it's newest member - China Airlines (of Taiwan - not to be confused with Air China) It becomes the 15th member of the SkyTeam Alliance, and the Fifth Asian member of SkyTeam (the others being China Eastern, China Southern, Korean Air and Vietman Airlines). In addition for frequent flyer people, Dynasty Miles now become redeemable for … [Read more...]
AI: You’ll never guess which airline alliance is stalking Air India….
Have a goooood guess. You're only going to get one of them. Done guessing? Of course, you're right dear reader. According to the Telegraph of India SkyTeam are to court Air India, with an offer to join the alliance. This comes after the fallout of the disaster known as Air India's attempt to join Star Alliance. Meetings have kicked off between SkyTeam and the … [Read more...]
Delta and American goes after JAL…
This broke on Friday, and I thought it could do with a bit more analysis than the usual two lines in the Friday Roundup Japan Airlines is in one heck of a state at the moment - with it hanging onto bailout money and doing service cuts by the the planeload. So it seems a white knight in shining amour has appeared in the form of Delta. Eh? When you step back and think … [Read more...]