SkyTeam Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids
SkyTeam

Launch date	22 June 2000; 25 years ago (2000-06-22)
Full members	19
Destination airports	1,050
Destination countries	166
Annual passengers (M)	437
Headquarters	Amstelveen, Netherlands
Management	Andrés Conesa (Chairman) Patrick Roux (CEO)
Alliance slogan	Caring more about you

SkyTeam is one of the world's three biggest groups of airlines, called airline alliances. It was started in June 2000. SkyTeam was the last of these three large alliances to be formed. The other two are Star Alliance and Oneworld.

In 2023, SkyTeam carried 437 million passengers. This makes it the second-largest airline alliance. As of early 2024, SkyTeam has 19 active airlines from five continents. Their slogan is "Caring more about you." SkyTeam also has a cargo (freight) alliance called SkyTeam Cargo. This group works with ten airlines that are also SkyTeam members. The main office for SkyTeam is in Amstelveen, Netherlands.

What is an Airline Alliance?
How SkyTeam Started and Grew
Member Airlines
SkyTeam Cargo
Livery and Logo
Images for kids
See also

What is an Airline Alliance?

An airline alliance is like a team of different airlines that work together. They share flights, airport lounges, and loyalty programs. This makes it easier for passengers to travel around the world. It also helps airlines offer more destinations.

SkyTeam airlines fly to over 1,050 places in more than 166 countries. They operate over 10,770 flights every day. Members of the alliance also have 750 airport lounges for travelers to relax in.

How SkyTeam Started and Grew

SkyTeam was formed on June 22, 2000. Four airlines started it: Delta Air Lines, Aeroméxico, Air France, and Korean Air. They met in New York to create this new alliance. When it first started, SkyTeam offered 6,402 daily flights to 451 places in 98 countries.

In September 2000, SkyTeam also created its cargo division, SkyTeam Cargo. This part of the alliance focuses on carrying goods and packages.

Early Growth and New Members

On March 25, 2001, CSA Czech Airlines joined the alliance.
Later that year, Alitalia also became a member.
In 2004, SkyTeam had a big expansion. Aeroflot from Russia joined the alliance.
China Southern Airlines, a very large airline from China, also signed an agreement to join.
On September 13, 2004, Continental Airlines, KLM, and Northwest Airlines all joined at the same time. This was the biggest expansion in airline alliance history! With these new members, SkyTeam became the second-largest alliance.

Schiphol World Trade Center, where SkyTeam has its main office.

Changes and More Airlines Join

Over the years, some airlines left SkyTeam, and new ones joined.

In 2009, Continental Airlines and Copa Airlines left SkyTeam to join another alliance.
Vietnam Airlines became a full member on June 10, 2010. It was the first SkyTeam airline from Southeast Asia.
On June 22, 2010, SkyTeam celebrated its 10th anniversary. They announced that Air Europa, Kenya Airways, and TAROM became full members.
China Eastern Airlines joined on June 21, 2011, along with its smaller airline, Shanghai Airlines.
China Airlines from Taiwan joined on September 28, 2011.
In 2012, Saudi Arabian Airlines became the first Middle Eastern airline to join SkyTeam.
Middle East Airlines also joined in June 2012.
Aerolíneas Argentinas became the first South American airline in the alliance in August 2012.
Xiamen Airlines joined in November 2012, becoming the fourth Chinese airline in SkyTeam.
Garuda Indonesia joined on March 5, 2014, after a long process.

A Vietnam Airlines Airbus A350-900 XWB with the special SkyTeam colors at Taoyuan International Airport.

Recent Changes and Future Plans

In 2018, China Southern Airlines announced it would leave the alliance.
On October 15, 2021, Alitalia stopped flying. Its new airline, ITA Airways, joined SkyTeam shortly after.
In February 2022, Aeroflot's membership was suspended. This happened because of the conflict in Ukraine.
On March 2, 2023, Virgin Atlantic officially joined SkyTeam. This made it the 19th member.
Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) plans to join SkyTeam on September 1, 2024. This will make them the 20th member.

Member Airlines

As of August 2023, these airlines are full members of SkyTeam:

Member airline	Joined	Member affiliates
Aerolíneas Argentinas	29 August 2012
Aeroméxico	22 June 2000
Air Europa	4 September 2007
Air France	22 June 2000
China Airlines	28 September 2011
China Eastern Airlines	21 June 2011	Shanghai Airlines
Czech Airlines	25 March 2001
Delta Air Lines	22 June 2000
Garuda Indonesia	5 March 2014
ITA Airways	29 October 2021
Kenya Airways	4 September 2007
KLM	13 September 2004
Korean Air	22 June 2000
Middle East Airlines	28 June 2012
Saudia	29 May 2012
TAROM	25 June 2010
Vietnam Airlines	10 June 2010
Virgin Atlantic	2 March 2023
XiamenAir	21 November 2012

Future Members

Future member airline	Joining	Future member affiliates
Scandinavian Airlines	1 September 2024

Suspended Members

Suspended member airline	Joined	Suspended	Member affiliates
Aeroflot	14 April 2006	28 April 2022

Former Members

Some airlines have left SkyTeam over the years:

Former member airline	Joined	Exited	Member affiliates
Alitalia	27 July 2001	15 October 2021	Alitalia CityLiner
China Southern Airlines	15 November 2007	31 December 2018	N/A
Continental Airlines	13 September 2004	24 October 2009
Northwest Airlines	13 September 2004	31 January 2010

SkyTeam Cargo

SkyTeam Cargo is the part of SkyTeam that handles air freight. It helps member airlines work together to transport goods around the world. As of April 2024, nine airlines from the passenger alliance are also part of SkyTeam Cargo. These include Aeroméxico Cargo, Air France-KLM Cargo, and Korean Air Cargo.

Livery and Logo

In 2009, SkyTeam introduced a special paint design for some of its member aircraft. This was to celebrate the alliance's 10th anniversary. The design features a shiny silver body and a dark blue tail with the SkyTeam logo. The alliance's emblem is also painted on the sides of the plane. Most member airlines have the SkyTeam logo on their planes, usually near the front doors. As of 2016, 52 aircraft had this special SkyTeam paint.