China Southern Airlines signs SkyTeam GAAAA Agreement

China Southern Airlines today signed the official Global Airline Alliance Adherence Agreement (GAAAA) beginning its pathway to membership in the SkyTeam alliance.

The airlines’ mission to join SkyTeam began on August 28, 2004 when it signed an initial agreement for future SkyTeam membership. After today’s official signing ceremony, China Southern anticipates that integration of its IT and frequent flyer programs will be completed and membership granted into SkyTeam in the latter half of 2007.

China Southern passengers will benefit from the airline’s SkyTeam membership through standardized international customer service and convenient, hassle-free international connections when flying any SkyTeam-operated flights.

In addition, China Southern Sky Pearl Club frequent flyers, as well as FFP members from all SkyTeam members, will benefit from priority reservation waitlist when flying internationally on any SkyTeam member flights (up to or more than six hours in duration). Frequent flyers will also enjoy priority boarding and guaranteed full-fare economy reservations available to Sky Pearl Club Gold Card holders even on sold-out International flights (up to or more than six hours in duration), with a 24-hour notice.

China Southern Airlines Chairman Mr. Liu Shao Yong said at the signing ceremony, “Joining SkyTeam will expand our international route network and flight density and will allow our airline to make full use of SkyTeam’s extensive network to extend China Southern flights throughout the world.”

Membership in SkyTeam will offer Sky Pearl Club Gold Card customers priority baggage handling using SkyTeam priority bag tags and access to more than 400 SkyTeam lounges on day of travel when flying on or connecting to/from an international flight operated by a SkyTeam member.

Redeeming mileage should also be far easier for China Southern FFP members, as all Sky Pearl Club members can earn and redeem their FFP mileage for awards when flying any SkyTeam-operated flight.

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