In 2000, the aviation industry saw a major shift with the creation of SkyTeam. As airlines around the world moved to form partnerships, four major players, Aeroméxico, Air France, Delta Air Lines, and Korean Air, came together to build a network that would make international travel more connected and easier for you.

Since that beginning, SkyTeam has expanded steadily. More airlines have joined, giving you access to a larger number of destinations with just one SkyTeam ticket. Frequent flyers like you have gained more ways to earn and redeem miles across a much broader network. Today, SkyTeam stands as one of the three largest airline alliances in the world, made up of 18 member airlines.

In this guide, we are going to explore everything about the SkyTeam Alliance. We will introduce you to each member airline, dive into their frequent flyer programs, and show you how a SkyTeam membership can open up more opportunities for your global travel plans.

SkyTeam Member Airlines

SkyTeam brings together 18 airlines, covering more than 1,000 destinations in over 160 countries. Let us walk you through each one so you can see how broad your travel options really are.

1. Aerolineas Argentinas stands as Argentina’s national airline. From its base, it connects you to South America, North America, and Europe with a solid network of flights.
2. Aeroméxico, Mexico’s main airline, flies across the Americas, Europe, and Asia. Its operations center around Mexico City, making it a strong gateway for your trips.
3. Air Europa may be a smaller airline based in Spain, but it runs a powerful set of routes linking Europe, the Americas, and the Caribbean, especially focusing on Latin America.
4. Air France, one of the original SkyTeam founders, operates from Paris. You can count on them to reach cities across Europe, Africa, the Americas, Asia, and the Middle East.
5. China Airlines, Taiwan’s largest airline, takes you around Asia and connects you to North America, Europe, and Oceania.
6. China Eastern ranks among China’s top carriers. It gives you a wide range of flight options within Asia and to Europe, North America, and Oceania.
7. Delta Air Lines, the oldest airline still running in the United States, has built a massive global presence. Based in Atlanta, it offers an impressive range of flights both within the U.S. and internationally.
8. Garuda Indonesia, Indonesia’s flagship airline, links you to Asia, Australia, and the Middle East, with a strong focus on Southeast Asian cities.
9. Kenya Airways represents one of Africa’s major airlines. It flies across Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, with its main hub in Nairobi ready to connect your travels.
10. KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, the flag carrier of the Netherlands, holds the title of one of the world’s oldest airlines. Today, it offers flights across Europe, the Americas, Africa, and Asia.

SkyTeam Airlines Expanding Your Reach

1. Korean Air, another founding member of SkyTeam, is based in Seoul. It provides flights across Asia, North America, Europe, and Oceania, giving you solid options for international travel.
2. Middle East Airlines, operating out of Beirut, helps you reach cities across the Middle East, Europe, and Africa with ease.
3. SAS Scandinavian Airlines has led the airline scene in Northern Europe for 75 years. With hubs in Copenhagen, Oslo, and Stockholm, it makes travel around and beyond Scandinavia simple for you.
4. Saudia, the national airline of Saudi Arabia, connects travelers across the Middle East and extends to Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America.
5. TAROM, based in Romania, focuses heavily on Europe. It connects Eastern Europe to the rest of the continent with direct routes you can rely on.
6. Vietnam Airlines, the official carrier of Vietnam, mostly covers Asia, but you will also find flights reaching Europe, Oceania, and North America.
7. Virgin Atlantic made history by offering personal entertainment for every passenger. Flying out of London, it connects you to the United States, Caribbean, Africa, and Asia with a strong reputation for quality service.
8. XiamenAir, headquartered in China, mainly flies across Asia, but has been growing steadily with flights reaching Europe, North America, and Oceania.

SkyTeam Membership Benefits: What You Gain as a Frequent Flyer

Joining one of the SkyTeam airlines transforms how you travel, giving you more flexibility, rewards, and smoother global trips. Let’s break down what you get when you become part of the SkyTeam network.

Seamless Flight Connections Across the SkyTeam Alliance Network

One of the biggest SkyTeam membership benefits is easy access to more than 1,000 destinations through a single ticket. With 18 member airlines, you can connect flights without juggling multiple bookings.

Imagine you are planning a trip from Los Angeles (LAX) to Amsterdam (AMS), then on to Nairobi (NBO). You could book a Delta Air Lines flight from LAX to AMS, and Kenya Airways from AMS to NBO, all under one itinerary. This setup makes your travel smooth, saving you from handling separate reservations.

How to Earn and Redeem Miles in the SkyTeam Frequent Flyer Program

When you join a SkyTeam frequent flyer program, you open up the ability to earn and redeem miles across all member airlines.

Suppose you are a Flying Blue member with Air France-KLM. If you book a Korean Air flight to Seoul (ICN), you still earn Flying Blue miles. You can also redeem your Flying Blue miles for flights on partner airlines, not just Air France or KLM.

Each SkyTeam airline sets its own earning and redemption rules, often based on fare class or a dynamic pricing system. Before you book, it helps to check each airline’s mileage charts or pricing model.

SkyTeam Elite Plus Perks Across All Member Airlines

Reaching elite status in any SkyTeam frequent flyer program unlocks SkyTeam Elite Plus perks that apply across all airlines in the SkyTeam alliance. These perks include priority check-in, priority boarding, extra baggage allowance, and access to more than 750 SkyTeam lounges around the world.

For example, if you reach Gold Medallion status with Delta Air Lines, you automatically gain Elite Plus status, which means you enjoy these perks even when flying with other SkyTeam carriers like Korean Air or Air France. We recommend focusing your flights with one airline to achieve elite status faster and maximize your benefits.

SkyTeam Lounge Access Worldwide for Elite Plus Members

Earning SkyTeam Elite Plus status gives you access to a wide network of lounges worldwide, making long layovers far more comfortable.

However, lounge access can vary. Some premium lounges like the Air France La Premiere Lounge at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) are only open to first-class ticket holders. Similarly, Delta Sky Clubs often require a same-day international business-class ticket for entry.

Still, many SkyTeam lounges welcome Elite Plus travelers without additional restrictions. You can enjoy the Air France Business Lounge at CDG Terminal 2F, which offers Clarins spa services, full dining options, relaxation areas, and showers. The China Airlines Lounge at Taipei-Taoyuan Airport (TPE) features a Taiwanese noodle bar, private rest zones, and modern shower facilities, helping you refresh between flights.

How Your Loyalty Unlocks Travel Perks

As you fly more with SkyTeam airlines, you start earning recognition and travel rewards through SkyTeam status tiers. Let’s walk through what you can unlock by climbing SkyTeam’s frequent flyer levels.

SkyTeam Elite

SkyTeam Elite is the entry-level status in the SkyTeam frequent flyer program. Once you reach Elite status, you gain access to several key benefits that make your trips smoother and more comfortable.

With SkyTeam Elite status, you enjoy:

• Priority check-in lines, saving you time at the airport
• Priority boarding ahead of general passengers
• Priority baggage handling, meaning your luggage often arrives earlier
• Access to preferred seating options on many SkyTeam flights
• Priority standby in case you need a seat on a full flight

SkyTeam Elite rewards your loyalty by making airport experiences quicker and more convenient, setting the stage for even more rewards as you continue to fly.

SkyTeam Elite Plus

The SkyTeam Elite Plus is the highest status tier you can reach within the SkyTeam network. It builds on everything SkyTeam Elite offers and brings you even more powerful travel advantages.

With SkyTeam Elite Plus perks, you gain:

• Access to business-class lounges, even when you are flying in economy
• Priority boarding together with first- and business-class passengers
• Extra baggage allowance when flying with any SkyTeam airline
• A guaranteed seat on fully booked flights under certain conditions, so you have better protection during peak travel times

Reaching SkyTeam Elite Plus means you enjoy top-level treatment across all 18 SkyTeam member airlines. It is a major upgrade for your travel life, giving you comfort, flexibility, and security wherever you go.

SkyTeam Frequent Flyer Programs: How You Earn Elite Status

If you want to reach SkyTeam Elite or Elite Plus levels, it all starts with the frequent flyer programs of SkyTeam member airlines. Each airline runs its own loyalty program separately, but when you achieve status with any of them, you automatically earn the matching SkyTeam status.

SkyTeam makes it simple to see where you stand. On the SkyTeam website, you can choose your airline’s frequent flyer program and your current tier, and it will show you the equivalent SkyTeam Elite or Elite Plus level. We have also put together a clear breakdown for you below:

When you climb to a higher tier in any SkyTeam frequent flyer program, you do not just gain the benefits from your airline. You also unlock the corresponding SkyTeam status tier, which gives you perks across all 18 SkyTeam airlines.

For example, if you reach Delta Gold Medallion status, you enjoy all the benefits Delta offers, plus all the extra advantages that come with SkyTeam Elite Plus status.

Why Joining SkyTeam Rewards Your Travel Loyalty

SkyTeam has earned its place as one of the major global airline alliances by making travel easier and more rewarding for loyal passengers. Through its wide network of member airlines, SkyTeam offers you seamless travel connections and a range of frequent flyer benefits that make every trip more comfortable, no matter which continent you are exploring.

If you want to unlock all the advantages that come with SkyTeam membership, it starts with joining a SkyTeam frequent flyer program. Enroll with one of the member airlines and begin your journey toward SkyTeam Elite or Elite Plus status.

The more you fly, the faster you reach higher status levels, bringing you closer to enjoying priority services, extra baggage, lounge access, and much more. With loyalty and a little planning, you will soon experience the full benefits of the SkyTeam loyalty program every time you travel.