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Dave

SkyTeam and SAS Forge Alliance: enhanced benefits for EuroBonus members

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In a significant development for the aviation industry, SkyTeam and SAS, the flag carrier of Scandinavia, have officially inked an Alliance Adherence Agreement, paving the way for SAS to join SkyTeam on 1 September 2024.

This landmark agreement signifies a pivotal moment in the global airline alliance landscape, as SAS prepares to integrate seamlessly into SkyTeam, enriching the alliance with enhanced access to Scandinavian key hubs and bolstering its global network.

Andrés Conesa, SkyTeam Chairman, expressed the shared vision between SkyTeam and SAS, stating,

SAS shares SkyTeam’s vision when it comes to delivering a more integrated and responsible travel experience. Together with our members, we continue to work hard behind the scenes to ensure a smooth transition for customers from the moment SAS joins our alliance.

Sky High: SAS CEO Anko van der Werff (left) celebrates with his SkyTeam counterpart Patrick Roux

Under this alliance, SAS customers are poised to reap numerous benefits. They can anticipate a more seamless travel experience with enhanced connectivity across SkyTeam’s extensive network of 1,060+ destinations. Notably, this collaboration opens up travel options to several previously unserved destinations across Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, offering SAS customers a broader spectrum of travel opportunities.

Furthermore, EuroBonus members stand to gain significantly from this alliance. Upon SAS’ integration into SkyTeam, EuroBonus Silver members will be recognised as SkyTeam Elite, while Gold and Diamond members will enjoy Elite Plus status. This translates to access to a network of 750+ airport lounges and SkyPriority services at eight key airport touchpoints, including priority check-in, boarding and baggage handling.

Patrick Roux, SkyTeam CEO, expressed his enthusiasm for SAS joining the alliance, stating,

We are delighted to officially chart a path to SAS joining the SkyTeam alliance. With its global reputation for reliability, quality and service, SAS is a great fit for SkyTeam and, as we continue to strengthen our customer proposition, we look forward to being part of their future journey.

Anko van der Werff, SAS President and CEO, echoed this sentiment, emphasising the exciting prospects this alliance brings for customers, partners and employees alike.

He remarked,

EuroBonus members will be able to enjoy new destinations and benefits as part of the SkyTeam alliance family, marking the start of an exciting future for customers, partners and employees alike. SAS customers will benefit from SkyTeam’s strong global presence in many of the world’s major aviation hubs and from its focus on strategic partnerships and innovative sustainability initiatives.

As SAS embarks on this new chapter in its alliance journey, it continues to strengthen its ties with key SkyTeam members serving its hubs, including Air France, KLM, Delta Air Lines, and Middle East Airlines.

Flag carriers: SAS, Scandinavia’s leading airline, with main hubs in Copenhagen, Oslo and Stockholm, flies to destinations in Europe, USA and Asia

For further information about how this alliance impacts your business travel with SAS, reach out to your Global Travel Management Account Manager, who will be happy to provide you with detailed insights and assistance tailored to your travel needs.

Dave

Virgin Atlantic to join SkyTeam

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SkyTeam, the global airline alliance, and Virgin Atlantic have announced that the UK airline will join as SkyTeam’s newest member in early 2023.

Virgin Atlantic will become SkyTeam’s first and only UK member airline, enhancing the alliance’s transatlantic network and services to and from Heathrow and Manchester Airport.

The alliance claimed that Virgin Atlantic customers ‘will benefit from a consistent, seamless customer experience, across 1,000+ global destinations. They’ll also have more opportunities to earn and redeem points across member airlines and access to a network of 750+ airport lounges, spanning six continents’.

Virgin Atlantic’s Flying Club members will enjoy significant benefits from the day of joining, with a global expansion of its loyalty offering. Virgin Atlantic Silver Card holders will be recognised as SkyTeam Elite Members, whilst the airline’s Gold Card members will become Elite Plus. This recognition provides a raft of benefits, including priority check in, baggage handling and boarding. Flying Club members will be able to take advantage of the benefits as soon as Virgin Atlantic officially enrols in SkyTeam, which is expected early in 2023.

Virgin Atlantic’s entry into the alliance builds upon the success of its transatlantic joint venture partnership with Delta Air Lines and Air France-KLM, each already long established SkyTeam members. The four partners are co-located at London Heathrow’s Terminal Three, alongside existing SkyTeam members Aeromexico and China Eastern, providing customers with smooth airside transits and the most convenient connections times possible.

Walter Cho, SkyTeam Chairman said

Walter Cho

Virgin Atlantic is synonymous with innovation…

…and excellent service.

An iconic British airline with a global outlook that puts customers at the heart of its operations

– like SkyTeam and its members –

and we are delighted to welcome them into our alliance.

Kristin Colvile, SkyTeam CEO, said,

Kristin Colvile

As a member of SkyTeam, Virgin Atlantic will benefit from increased opportunities to expand its global network through partnerships and synergies: customers will have more ways to earn and burn miles while enjoying the service for which Virgin Atlantic is renowned. Virgin Atlantic shares SkyTeam’s values, caring for our customers, our employees, and the world in which they live, and we are excited to have them as part of the SkyTeam family.

Shai Weiss, CEO Virgin Atlantic, commented,

Shai Weiss: “2022 marks the year Virgin Atlantic gets back to its best for our customers and people and joining SkyTeam is an important milestone”.

At Virgin Atlantic we strive to create thoughtful experiences that feel different for our customers and SkyTeam shares that customer first ethos.

Our membership will allow us to enhance established relationships with our valued partners at Delta and Air France-KLM, as well as opening up opportunities to collaborate with new airlines.

It will enable a seamless customer experience, with an expanded network and maximised loyalty benefits.

Codeshare agreements are already in place with Aeromexico and Middle East Airlines with options for more codeshares to follow.

Interline agreements with all SkyTeam members are already in place, providing one touch point for all customers, creating a seamless journey on one ticket.

Virgin Atlantic flies to 12 destinations throughout the USA in partnership with Delta and Air France-KLM including New York, Los Angeles, Miami, and San Francisco.  In May the airline launched a brand-new service to Austin, Texas and will start daily flights to Tampa, Florida from November. Virgin Atlantic also operates an extensive Caribbean portfolio including Antigua, Barbados, Jamaica, and The Bahamas.  Virgin Atlantic also operates services to Greater China, India, Israel, Nigeria, Pakistan, and South Africa.

SkyTeam members, Delta, Air France and KLM are already collocated at Virgin Atlantic’s home base at London Heathrow Terminal 3. Virgin Atlantic operates long-haul services from UK regional airports including Edinburgh and Manchester. The airline offers a comprehensive network to North America and the Caribbean in partnership with Delta Air Lines, Air France and KLM, and also operates services to Greater China, Israel, Nigeria, Pakistan and South Africa.

Paul

Lounge Pass – Vancouver.

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Lounge Pass, a company offering access to various airline lounges worldwide, has now added the Skyteam lounge at Vancouver International (YVR) airport to its programme.

So, if you’re due to fly from YVR anytime soon, you can now purchase access to the Skyteam lounge from just £22 per person. The Skyteam lounge is open 24 hours a day and is located on departure level 3; please note, however, that this lounge is not accessible to passengers on Canadian domestic or US Trans-border flights.

Please call us to book!