Continental, KLM and Northwest join the SkyTeam Alliance

SkyTeam is now offering members more options with Continental Airlines, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Northwest Airlines joining the alliance as full members. Effective September 15, passengers will be able to accrue and redeem frequent flyer miles interchangeably on any of the nine member airlines. With the addition of three new members, SkyTeam now serves 341 million passengers with 14,320 daily departures to 658 global destinations in more than 130 countries.

SkyTeam’s Governing Board said, “The entry of Continental, KLM and Northwest into the alliance marks the single largest airline integration in aviation history and is an important milestone for global airline customers. When the alliance launched in 2000, we promised SkyTeam would alter the competitive landscape for airline alliances by focusing on the needs of our customers. Our growth over the past four years in terms of network reach, frequencies and destinations is a testament to our commitment to continually live up to that promise.”

Growing the Network

The three new carriers add to SkyTeam’s extensive network of hubs and destination cities, allowing member airlines to provide their passengers more travel options. Together, the three new members add ten additional hub locations and 141 new destinations to the alliance’s roster, strengthening SkyTeam’s reach in all key travel regions:

- In Asia Pacific, Northwest’s hub at Tokyo’s Narita airport and Continental’s Guam hub will join Korean Air’s Seoul-Incheon hub as SkyTeam’s major hubs in the region, linking passengers to 11 new destinations in five countries. SkyTeam’s Asia offerings now include Northwest’s new service from Portland, Oregon to Tokyo-Narita and service from Detroit to Guangzhou, China, scheduled to begin in late October. In addition, Continental begins new service between Honolulu and Nagoya, Japan in December. Thanks to their combined network and fares, Air France and KLM are able to offer unparalleled service between Europe and Asia.

- In Europe, with four European carriers, including Europe’s first pan-European airline group, SkyTeam will now offer passengers more choice on transatlantic routes. With Air France, Alitalia, CSA Czech Airlines and KLM, SkyTeam has hubs and strong market positions in all European regions and a very extensive intra European network.

- In the Americas, with Aeroméxico and Delta Air Lines, the addition of Continental and Northwest will further open up service to and from Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean, adding cities such as Québec, Quito and Aguadilla (Puerto Rico) to SkyTeam’s network. Continental’s extensive transatlantic network serving 19 destinations will also provide SkyTeam customers with additional service options from its international gateways in Houston and Newark/New York. Northwest’s Detroit and Minneapolis hubs provide additional travel options for European customers bound for Midwest cities.

- In Africa, KLM’s strong network will allow alliance passengers to access key cities such as Cape Town (South Africa), Dar es Salaam (Tanzania), Kano (Nigeria) and Nairobi (Kenya).

Underscoring the Customer Focus

On the ground, SkyTeam Elite Plus passengers have access to an additional 62 state-of-the-art airport lounges with amenities to make travel easier – bringing the total number of airport lounges to more than 390. For example, Northwest’s WorldClubs at Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul and Tokyo and all of Continental’s Presidents Club locations feature wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) access and computer battery charging ports. And Northwest’s WorldClubs at Detroit and Tokyo have showers to provide a truly refreshing break for busy global travelers. In addition, passengers will continue to experience the existing SkyTeam customer benefits, including a single check-in for connecting flights and baggage.

Gordon Bethune, Chairman and CEO of Continental Airlines, said, “Around the world, today’s air travelers demand reliability, flexibility and high-quality service. We know from our previous dealings with them that the SkyTeam members are world-beaters by all these measures, and we’re proud to be part of a global alliance that shares our focus on the customer.”

"SkyTeam is not only benefiting the passengers, but also the cargo customers", said Leo van Wijk, CEO and president of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. "SkyTeam Cargo, with Aeroméxico, Air France, Alitalia, CSA, Delta, KLM and Korean, offers the largest global cargo network for its customers. SkyTeam Cargo operates a worldwide system of more than 500 destinations in 110 countries and provides a consistent standard of performance, quality and service."

“We look forward to providing our customers with even greater access to the world through SkyTeam,“ said Richard Anderson, CEO of Northwest Airlines. “In turn, Continental, KLM and Northwest will provide the consistent, quality service SkyTeam passengers have come to expect.”

Speaking on behalf of the founding members, Jean-Cyril Spinetta, CEO of Air France and chairman of Air France-KLM, said, “In an ever transforming industry, alliance membership is a necessity, allowing airlines to work together and navigate change. As illustrated today, SkyTeam continues to drive innovation in the industry as it welcomes two airlines from the US and incorporates Europe’s leading airline group, Air France-KLM.”

SkyTeam is a global airline alliance partnering Aeroméxico, Air France, Alitalia, Continental Airlines, CSA Czech Airlines, Delta Air Lines, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Korean Air and Northwest Airlines.