SkyTeam announces lounge expansion, focus on technology

Seventh lounge to open in Vancouver by end of 2017

CANCUN, June 12, 2017 - SkyTeam, the global airline alliance, is taking its customers’ airport experience to new heights by opening a new lounge at Vancouver International Airport (YVR) later this year. The alliance’s first branded facility in North America, it will offer a luxurious environment for First, Business and Elite Plus customers flying on any of the alliance’s nine member airlines currently serving the airport.

SkyTeam currently offers six branded lounges around the world in Beijing, Dubai, Hong Kong, Istanbul, London Heathrow and Sydney, serving hundreds of thousands high-value customers each year. 

Speaking at the 73rd annual IATA AGM held in Cancun, Mexico, SkyTeam CEO and Managing Director, Perry Cantarutti, also outlined some of the focus areas that the alliance was working on to improve customer travel experiences while gaining its members value from the synergies.

 “With the opening of Vancouver later this year, SkyTeam will offer more branded airport lounges around the world than any other airline alliance. Increasing the number of shared facilities worldwide realizes significant synergies for our airlines while offering a greatly enhanced airport experience for our top customers,” said Perry Cantarutti, SkyTeam’s CEO and Managing Director. “Meanwhile, we continue to invest in technology so that we can capitalize on emerging customer trends, drive greater efficiencies and continue to deliver value for our airlines and their passengers.”

In addition to increasing its global lounge network, the 20-strong airline alliance is focused on projects designed to enhance the customer experience giving SkyTeam airlines the most from their membership. These include:

• Customer engagement: The alliance has now recruited more than 10,000 high-value travelers as SkyPriority auditors, assessing their airport experience at every SkyPriority touchpoint. Over 50,000 observations have been recorded from over 600 airports globally. From this feedback, we are improving signage at Check- in areas in some airports and focusing more on baggage handling by improving the first-on-belt performance.

• Loyalty benefits: Customers can ensure they never miss a mile by using SkyTeam’s retro-crediting tool that will be available across all members by year end. With a continued focus on technology driven solutions, 50% of all SkyTeam award redemptions are now booked via the web/mobile

• Business solutions: With a growing portfolio of travel products, SkyTeam is the first alliance to offer a dedicated product for Marine and Offshore travel and has also launched corporate contracts specifically for companies in Greater China.

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Notes to Editors:

SkyTeam member airlines serving Vancouver are: Aeroméxico, Air France, China Airlines, China Eastern, China Southern, Delta Air Lines, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Korean Air and Xiamen Airlines.

For more information about SkyTeam Lounges, click here.

For more information:

SkyTeam Corporate Communications

E: media@skyteam.com

About SkyTeam:
SkyTeam is the global airline alliance with 20 member airlines working together to offer seamless travel on an extensive global network.  From top hubs around the world, SkyTeam members provide reliable and comfortable journeys to over 1,050 destinations. SkyTeam customers can unwind in 636 lounges as they travel, earn and redeem Frequent Flyer Miles. SkyTeam Elite Plus customers are eligible for SkyPriority services. The 20 members are: Aeroflot, Aerolíneas Argentinas, Aeroméxico, Air Europa, Air France, Alitalia, China Airlines, China Eastern, China Southern, Czech Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Garuda Indonesia, Kenya Airways, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Korean Air, Middle East Airlines, Saudia, TAROM, Vietnam Airlines and Xiamen Airlines. SkyTeam welcomes 612 million customers each year on more than 16,320 daily flights to 1,062 destinations in 177 countries.

www.skyteam.com / www.facebook.com/skyteam / www.youtube.com/user/skyteam