SkyTeam is the world’s second-largest airline alliance. It is also the youngest of the three major airline alliances, having been founded after both Star Alliance and oneworld. In a typical year, SkyTeam members transport approximately 630 million passengers.
Frequent flyers on SkyTeam airlines can enjoy reciprocal perks on other members of the alliance thanks to SkyTeam Elite and SkyTeam Elite Plus alliance-wide statuses.
While SkyTeam was founded by just four airlines as opposed to five founding members that the other two major alliances had, it has since grown to include 19 airlines in total. There are also airlines that were a part of SkyTeam in the past but are no longer so for one reason or another.
SkyTeam Has 19 Full Member Airlines
Four airlines joined their forces to found SkyTeam on June 22, 2000: Aeromexico, Air France, Delta Air Lines, and Korean Air. The following year, Czech Airlines and Alitalia (later replaced by ITA Airways) joined the alliance too.
Between 2004 and 2007, the alliance expanded considerably, adding seven members of which three – KLM, Air Europa, and Kenya Airways – remain with the alliance to this day. Another round of expansion took place between 2010 and 2014 when nine airlines, all of which are a part of SkyTeam to this day, joined the alliance.
Then, as hinted above, Alitalia was replaced by ITA Airways in October 2021 when the former went out of business and was succeeded by the latter. Finally, in March 2023, the latest member – Virgin Atlantic Airways – joined SkyTeam.
Below is a complete list of current SkyTeam airlines including each airline’s date of joining, continent and country, and frequent flyer program:
| Airline | Joined | Continent | Country | Frequent Flyer Program |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AerolÃneas Argentinas | 2012-08-29 | South America | Argentina | AerolÃneas Plus |
| Aeroméxico | 2000-06-22 | North America | Mexico | Aeromexico Rewards |
| Air Europa | 2007-09-04 | Europe | Spain | Air Europa SUMA |
| Air France | 2000-06-22 | Europe | France | Flying Blue |
| China Airlines | 2011-09-28 | Asia | Taiwan | Dynasty Flyer |
| China Eastern Airlines | 2011-06-21 | Asia | China | Eastern Miles |
| Czech Airlines | 2001-03-25 | Europe | Czechia | OK Plus |
| Delta Air Lines | 2000-06-22 | North America | United States | SkyMiles |
| Garuda Indonesia | 2014-03-05 | Asia | Indonesia | GarudaMiles |
| ITA Airways | 2021-10-29 | Europe | Italy | Volare |
| Kenya Airways | 2007-09-04 | Africa | Kenya | Asante Rewards |
| KLM | 2004-09-13 | Europe | Netherlands | Flying Blue |
| Korean Air | 2000-06-22 | Asia | South Korea | SKYPASS |
| Middle East Airlines | 2012-06-28 | Asia | Lebanon | Cedar Miles |
| Saudia | 2012-05-29 | Asia | Saudi Arabia | AlFursan |
| TAROM | 2010-06-25 | Europe | Romania | Flying Blue |
| Vietnam Airlines | 2010-06-10 | Asia | Vietnam | Lotusmiles |
| Virgin Atlantic | 2023-03-02 | Europe | United Kingdom | Flying Club |
| Xiamen Air | 2012-11-21 | Asia | China | Egret Miles |
5 Other Airlines Belonged to SkyTeam in the Past
The list of past members of SkyTeam is, with five airlines, relatively short.
In 2009, the alliance lost Continental Airlines due to the airline’s merger with United Airlines, a Star Alliance member. The following year, Northwest Airlines technically left the alliance, but practically it simply merged with Delta Air Lines, one of SkyTeam’s founding members.
Then, at the end of 2018, China Southern’s contracts with the alliance expired and the airline decided not to renew them, and in 2021, as mentioned above, Alitalia went out of business and was replaced by ITA Airways.
Finally, in 2022, Aeroflot was suspended from the alliance due to the ongoing situation in Ukraine similarly to the way S7 Airlines was suspended from oneworld.
Below is a complete list of all the past SkyTeam airlines including their dates of joining and exit, and the reasons behind their withdrawal from the alliance:
| Airline | Joined | Exited | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aeroflot | 2006-04-14 | 2022-04-28 | Suspended due to the ongoing situation in Ukraine |
| Alitalia | 2001-07-27 | 2021-10-15 | Ceased operations, succeeded by ITA Airways |
| China Southern Airlines | 2007-11-15 | 2018-12-31 | Business restructuring |
| Continental Airlines | 2004-09-13 | 2009-10-24 | Merged with United Airlines |
| Northwest Airlines | 2004-09-13 | 2010-01-31 | Merged with Delta Air Lines |
Expected Changes: Scandinavian Airlines In, ITA Airways Out
In the coming years, two major changes are expected in SkyTeam’s line-up of members.
First, Scandinavian Airlines is expected to switch from Star Alliance of which it is one of the founding members to SkyTeam. The reason behind that is that Scandinavian Airlines is in the process of being acquired by a consortium of companies including Air France-KLM.
Second, ITA Airways is expected to leave SkyTeam sometime in the next few years and join Star Alliance instead. The reason for the switch is similar to the above. Currently, Star Alliance’s founding member Lufthansa owns a minority of the Italian airline and is in the process of becoming a full owner, subject to regulatory approvals.
Summary
While SkyTeam is the youngest of the three major airline alliances, over the years, it has grown from just four founding members to its current roster of 19 member airlines.
With that, the alliance covers the United States, Europe, and Asia extensively. It also has a decent presence in Africa thanks to Kenya Airways, Latin America thanks to Aeromexico and Aerolineas Argentinas, and the Middle East with Middle East Airlines and Saudia.
The main gap in SkyTeam’s map is in Australia and Oceania where it lacks a member airline unlike the Star Alliance which has Air New Zealand and oneworld which has Qantas.
In the coming years, Scandinavian Airlines is expected to join the alliance and ITA Airways is expected to leave. The effect of these changes on SkyTeam’s overall network will be negligible.
First published on 2019/09/05. Last updated on 2023/10/30.
