Back in 2000, four airlines came together to make global travel simpler: Aeroméxico, Air France, Delta Air Lines, and Korean Air. That collaboration became SkyTeam, an alliance built to connect routes, share benefits, and make international trips smoother for you on a single itinerary.
Since then, SkyTeam has grown into one of the three largest alliances worldwide. Today it counts 18 member airlines with reach to 1,000-plus destinations in more than 160 countries. You can earn and redeem across partners, enjoy shared elite perks, and connect through hubs without juggling separate bookings.
In this guide, we walk you through the member airlines, the benefits you can expect, and how to use a single loyalty program to unlock recognition across the network.
SkyTeam Member Airlines
SkyTeam brings together 18 carriers that span every region. Here is a plain-English tour of what each one is known for.
- Aerolineas Argentinas. Argentina’s national airline linking South America with North America and Europe.
- Aeroméxico. Mexico’s major carrier centered on Mexico City with reach across the Americas, Europe, and parts of Asia.
- Air Europa. A Spain-based airline that connects Europe with the Americas and the Caribbean, with a strong Latin America focus.
- Air France. A founding member based in Paris serving Europe, Africa, the Americas, Asia, and the Middle East.
- China Airlines. Taiwan’s largest carrier with wide coverage in Asia plus links to North America, Europe, and Oceania.
- China Eastern. One of China’s biggest airlines, offering broad Asian coverage and long-haul service to Europe, North America, and Oceania.
- Delta Air Lines. A founding member based in Atlanta with a large U.S. network and global reach.
- Garuda Indonesia. The flag carrier of Indonesia with strong Southeast Asia coverage and service to Australia and the Middle East.
- Kenya Airways. A leading African carrier based in Nairobi, serving Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
- KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. The Netherlands’ flag carrier and one of the world’s oldest airlines, serving Europe, the Americas, Africa, and Asia.
- Korean Air. A founding member based in Seoul with broad coverage across Asia, North America, Europe, and Oceania.
- Middle East Airlines. Based in Beirut with service around the Middle East, Europe, and Africa.
- SAS Scandinavian Airlines. A key Northern Europe carrier with hubs in Copenhagen, Oslo, and Stockholm.
- Saudia. Saudi Arabia’s national airline linking the Middle East with Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America.
- TAROM. Romania’s carrier focusing on European routes and connections across the region.
- Vietnam Airlines. Vietnam’s flag carrier with a strong Asian network plus flights to Europe, Oceania, and North America.
- Virgin Atlantic. A London-based long-haul specialist serving the United States, the Caribbean, Africa, and Asia.
- XiamenAir. A China-based carrier with a growing network across Asia and select routes to Europe, North America, and Oceania.
Seamless Connections On One Ticket
A major SkyTeam advantage is the ability to book one itinerary across member airlines. That means one ticket, coordinated connections, and through-checking on many routes.
Example. Fly from Los Angeles to Amsterdam on Delta Air Lines, then connect to Kenya Airways to reach Nairobi on the same booking. You avoid managing separate reservations and your journey stays simple.
Earning And Redeeming Across The Alliance
Join the frequent flyer program of any SkyTeam airline and you can typically earn and redeem on partner flights. The exact accrual and redemption rates depend on the fare you book and each program’s rules.
Example. If you belong to the Air France KLM program and fly Korean Air to Seoul, you can earn miles in your Air France KLM account and later redeem those miles on partner airlines too.
Since each airline sets its own charts or dynamic pricing, check the earning details and redemption costs before you book.
SkyTeam Elite And Elite Plus Perks
Reach elite status with any SkyTeam member program and you unlock alliance recognition. SkyTeam has two shared tiers: Elite and Elite Plus.
SkyTeam Elite benefits generally include
- Priority check in
- Priority boarding
- Priority baggage handling
- Access to preferred seats when available
- Priority standby when flights are full
SkyTeam Elite Plus adds
- Access to business class lounges even when flying in economy
- Priority boarding with premium cabins
- Extra baggage allowance on member airlines
- Better protection options on fully booked flights under certain conditions
Focus your flying with one program to qualify faster, then enjoy benefits across all 18 members.
Lounge Access For Elite Plus Members
Elite Plus recognition can unlock lounge entry across the network, which is a major comfort upgrade on long travel days. Policies vary by location. Some flagship lounges reserve access for first class guests only, and some clubs require a same day premium ticket. Many SkyTeam lounges admit Elite Plus travelers on international itineraries. Always check the specific lounge rules for your route.
Helpful Trip Tools and Planning Guides
How Program Status Maps To SkyTeam Tiers
When you reach a higher tier in any member program, you also receive the matching SkyTeam tier. Here is a simplified view that mirrors typical mappings.
| Frequent flyer program | SkyTeam Elite | SkyTeam Elite Plus |
| Aerolineas Argentinas | Oro | Platino, Diamante |
| Aeroméxico | Oro | Platino, Diamante |
| Air Europa | Silver | Gold, Platinum |
| Air France | Silver | Gold, Platinum, Ultimate |
| China Airlines | Gold | Emerald, Paragon |
| China Eastern | Silver | Gold, Platinum |
| Delta Air Lines | Silver Medallion | Gold Medallion, Platinum Medallion, Diamond Medallion |
| Garuda Indonesia | Gold | Platinum |
| Kenya Airways | Silver | Gold, Platinum |
| KLM Royal Dutch Airlines | Silver | Gold, Platinum, Ultimate |
| Korean Air | Morning Calm Club | Morning Calm Premium Club, Million Miler Club |
| Middle East Airlines | Silver | Gold, Platinum |
| SAS Scandinavian Airlines | Silver | Gold, Diamond |
| Saudia | Silver | Gold |
| TAROM | Silver | Gold, Platinum |
| Vietnam Airlines | Gold, Titanium | Platinum, Million Miler |
| Virgin Atlantic | Silver | Gold |
| XiamenAir | Silver, Gold | Platinum, Diamond |
Use your airline’s website to confirm exact mapping and any recent changes for your route and ticket type.
Why Joining SkyTeam Rewards Your Loyalty
SkyTeam earns its place among the top alliances by making trips easier to plan and more rewarding to fly. With one program you can collect miles on partner flights, redeem across a wide network, and enjoy recognition throughout your journey.
If you want to tap into these advantages, start by enrolling in a member airline’s frequent flyer program. Fly more with that carrier and its partners, track your progress toward Elite and Elite Plus, and make the most of priority services, baggage benefits, and lounge access. With steady flying and a little planning, you can unlock the full value of SkyTeam on trips around the world.
