AMSTERDAM, 23 JUNE 2025 - SkyTeam marked its 25th anniversary on 22 June 2025, highlighting a quarter century of international collaboration and a shared mission to improve global travel. Founded by four airlines in 2000, the alliance now consists of 18 members and connects more than 945 destinations across 145 countries. As it enters its next chapter, SkyTeam is focused on digital transformation, customer experience innovation and accelerating sustainability efforts across its network.
Since its founding, SkyTeam has placed customers at the heart of the alliance. With a combined 235 million loyalty program members, SkyTeam has streamlined benefits and recognition across the alliance. This commitment continues to shape shared initiatives: from co-located lounges and SkyPriority services to seamless interline transfers and miles redemption.
Customer experience, reimagined
Over the past 25 years, SkyTeam has introduced a range of innovations to meet the evolving needs of customers:
Launched seamless check-in, enabled by the SkyTeam Digital Spine*, allowing travelers to check in for multi-airline itineraries through their preferred app or website
Developed award-winning digital tools, like the Carry-On Calculator, to enhance and simplify the customer journey
Led the industry as the first alliance to roll out standardized airport priority services with SkyPriority, available at 900+ airports
Introduced reciprocal and enhanced loyalty benefits through SkyTeam Elite and Elite Plus tiers
Expanded lounge access to 750+ locations for eligible customers, including SkyTeam-branded lounges in Dubai, Santiago, Sydney and Vancouver
SkyTeam leads among global alliances in social and environmental action. It launched The Aviation Challenge, an industry-first initiative to help accelerate sustainable aviation, which has brought together over 27 industry players since its inception. SkyTeam also unanimously endorsed IATA’s 25by2025 campaign to address gender inequality in aviation and recently became the first alliance to issue an Anti-Human Trafficking Declaration, taking a unified stand against this global crime.
“SkyTeam’s success lies in the strength of its partnerships and a shared vision to put the customer at the center of the travel experience. Over the past two decades, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing SkyTeam grow into a truly global network expanding our reach, deepening collaboration, and enhancing the journey for millions of customers around the world.”
Andrés Conesa
Chairman of SkyTeam and CEO of Aeromexico
“This 25-year milestone isn’t just about reflecting on our accomplishments. It’s also a catalyst for the future. Together with our members, we’re building the next generation of travel experiences - smarter, more integrated and more responsible; a connected ecosystem that puts the customer in control, no matter how many airlines are involved.”
Patrick Roux
CEO, SkyTeam
Digital backbone for the future
As new members like Virgin Atlantic and SAS have joined the alliance, SkyTeam is actively shaping the future of travel through continued investment in shared technology and loyalty innovation, aiming to create an even more seamless customer experience:
Enabling intermodal travel through partnerships with Eurostar and Trenitalia, creating smoother connections between air and rail
Advancing digital capabilities, including seamless check-in across member airlines, real-time baggage tracking and integrated loyalty experiences
-ENDS-
About SkyTeam
SkyTeam is the global airline alliance dedicated to transforming the future of travel by powering the smartest and most integrated customer journey. With a focus on innovation and responsibility, SkyTeam and its members work together to connect customers across an extensive global network of 945+ destinations. SkyTeam offers 750+ airport lounges, award-winning SkyPriority airport services and makes travel more rewarding through its members’ loyalty programs. SkyTeam members are Aeroflot (suspended), Aerolíneas Argentinas, Aeromexico, Air Europa, Air France, China Airlines, China Eastern, Delta Air Lines, Garuda Indonesia, Kenya Airways, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Korean Air, Middle East Airlines, SAS, Saudia, TAROM, Vietnam Airlines, Virgin Atlantic and Xiamen Airlines.
Contact: media@skyteam.com
Appendix 1: SkyTeam Highlights (2000 – 2025)
Network Growth and Expansion
2000: Founded by Aeromexico, Air France, Delta Air Lines and Korean Air
2001: Alitalia1 and Czech Airlines2 join SkyTeam
2004: Continental3, KLM and Northwest Airlines4 join SkyTeam; Launch of SkyTeam Corporate Agreements
2006: Aeroflot5 joins SkyTeam; Launch of SkyTeam Global Meetings
2007: Air Europa, COPA Airlines6, and Kenya Airways join SkyTeam as Associate Members; China Southern7 join SkyTeam
2009: First SkyTeam-branded Lounge opens at London Heathrow T48; Delta Air Lines unveils SkyTeam livery on a B767-400
2010: TAROM and Vietnam Airlines join SkyTeam
2011: China Airlines and China Eastern join SkyTeam
Seamless Customer Experience
2012: Aerolíneas Argentinas, MEA, Saudia and Xiamen Airlines join SkyTeam; SkyPriority as an alliance-wide priority proposition is launched
2013: SkyTeam Lounge opens at Istanbul Atatürk9
2014: Garuda Indonesia join SkyTeam
2015: SkyTeam Lounges open in Hong Kong10 and Sydney
2016: SkyTeam Lounge opens in Dubai; Launch of SkyTeam China Corporate Connection
2017: SkyTeam Lounges open in Beijing11 and Vancouver; Launch of SkyTeam Marine & Offshore
Digitalization and Sustainability
2018: Launch of the SkyTeam Digital Spine; Launch of SkyTeam Rebooking
2019: SkyTeam Lounge opens at new Istanbul International Airport12
2020: Launch of SkyCare&Protect
2021: ITA Airways joins SkyTeam13; SkyTeam members unanimously sign-up to IATA’s 25by2025 initiative and launches RISE - Women’s Leadership Development Program
2022: Aeromexico and Delta Air Lines launch Seamless Check-in, powered by SkyTeam’s Digital Spine; SkyTeam Lounge opens in Santiago de Chile; Launch of The Aviation Challenge
2023: Virgin Atlantic joins SkyTeam; First co-branded lounge opens in São Paulo
2024: SAS joins SkyTeam; SkyTeam signs MoUs with Eurostar and Trenitalia
2025: SkyTeam members unanimously sign Anti-Human Trafficking Declaration
1 Alitalia ceased operations in 2021
2 Czech Airlines ceased operations in 2024
3 Continental Airlines exits in 2009
4 Northwest Airlines officially merged with Delta Air Lines in 2010 - the Delta Air Lines brand was retained;
5 SkyTeam and Aeroflot have agreed to temporarily suspend the airline’s SkyTeam membership in 2022
6 COPA Airlines exits in 2009
7 China Southern exits in 2018
8 SkyTeam Lounge in London Heathrow closed in 2020
9 SkyTeam Lounge in Istanbul Atatürk closed in 2019
10 SkyTeam Lounge in Hong Kong closed in 2021
11 SkyTeam Lounges in Beijing closed in 2020
12 SkyTeam Lounge in Istanbul closed in 2024
13 ITA Airways exits in 2025
Notes for Editors:
*In 2018, SkyTeam launched its Digital Spine to bridge technological differences between member airlines. The Digital Spine helps members link their systems to make interline travel smoother and more connected. For example, SkyTeam’s seamless check-in technology enables travelers to check in for multi-airline itineraries through their preferred website or app.