World airline
passengers will enjoy a new standard of service with today's
introduction of SkyTeam, the global airline alliance partnering
Aeromexico, Air France, Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) and Korean Air.
SkyTeam's passengers will be able to choose from 6,402 daily flights --
including more non-stop destinations between the United States and
Europe than any other airline grouping. The airlines' 174.3 million
annual passengers also will experience a consistent level of
performance, quality and detailed attention to customer service.
In a joint statement, the airlines' CEOs said, "The introduction of
SkyTeam will alter the competitive landscape for airline alliances. As
the first global airline alliance created entirely around our customers,
we are dedicated to providing the routes and services that best meet
their needs. We are already working to expand our current offerings to
provide more choices, better service and improved benefits."
Easier Access to More Destinations Through the formation of one of the
world's most extensive hub networks, SkyTeam customers around the world
will have more options to reach their destinations. Corporations
competing in the global economy will have access to a worldwide network
covering more than half of the world's passenger traffic. SkyTeam's
route system covers all the major destinations in the Northern
Hemisphere, where nearly 80 percent of the world's traffic flies.
In addition to SkyTeam's extensive current flight offerings, the
alliance is well positioned for future growth in flights and facilities.
Paris'Charles de Gaulle Airport, Air France's hub, and Seoul's new
Inchon Airport, a future hub for Korean Air, are two of the few major
hub airports in the world with room to expand. The possibility of adding
runways and gates - and therefore flights -- in such critical markets
will be invaluable for SkyTeam passengers in the years to come.
Currently, SkyTeam's network of strategically located hubs in Latin
America, Europe, the United States and Asia offers travelers multiple
departure time options on 6,402 daily flights to 451 destinations in 98
countries:
Aeromexico's Benito Juarez International Airport hub in Mexico City
provides SkyTeam passengers with access to Latin America's leading
airport, with more than 6,000 passengers passing through its gates per
hour.
Air France's operations at Charles de Gaulle Airport offer access to
Europe's largest hub with more than 14,000 connections in less than two
hours available each week -- more than Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Heathrow,
Brussels or Zurich.
Delta's hub at Atlanta Hartsfield International Airport offers
passengers more connections than any other airport in the world, with
1,316 daily flights to 126 destinations.
Korean Air, one of Asia's largest carriers, serves 78 destinations in 29
countries including Japan, China, Korea and Southeast Asia, and through
its Seoul hub offers customers fast and convenient connections to major
cities around the world.
More Convenient Ticketing and Check-In Services From ticket offices to
technology, SkyTeam offers customers many ways to obtain information and
assistance. Wherever they are in the world, SkyTeam customers will never
be more than a few steps away from qualified SkyTeam travel assistance.
SkyTeam's 659 airport and city ticket offices will provide customers
with information and ticketing services for all partner airlines.
SkyTeam's integrated information technology network will enable
passengers to contact SkyTeam members' call centers, city ticket offices
or airport ticket offices to ascertain flight schedules, service details
(such as aircraft type and meal information), booking and departure
confirmations, seat assignments and published fares on any of the four
carriers. Passengers also will be able to find all of this flight
information by logging onto www.skyteam.com . In addition, at 451
airports around the world, passengers connecting from one partner
airline to another will be able to save time by checking in only once.
Reciprocal and Enhanced Frequent Flyer Benefits Frequent flyers will
earn miles in their current accounts when flying any of the partner
airlines; miles can be exchanged for a reward ticket on any SkyTeam
airline. In addition, top-tier flyers on each of the alliance airlines
will automatically attain SkyTeam Elite and Elite Plus status with
enhanced benefits. Elite and Elite Plus status are supplemental to all
member airlines' current frequent flier program offerings. SkyTeam Elite
members (Aeromexico Club Premier Oro and Club Premier Oro Corporativo,
Air France Frequence Plus Bleu, Delta SkyMiles Silver and Gold
Medallion, and Korean Air Morning Calm) will receive priority waitlist,
priority check-in and boarding, preferred seating, access to more than
265 airport lounges across the network when flying international first
and business class, and priority on airport standby listings. SkyTeam
Elite Plus members (Aeromexico Club Premier Platino, Air France's
Frequence Plus Rouge, Delta SkyMiles Platinum Medallion, and Korean Air
Morning Calm Premium and Million Miler) qualify for all of the
aforementioned benefits as well as guaranteed economy-class
reservations,priority baggage handling, and lounge access regardless of
travel class.
Current and Future Cargo Offerings The SkyTeam partners are exploring
opportunities to provide cargo customers with the same valuable
conveniences and access to worldwide destinations. Cargo customers now
benefit from the alliance partnership through reserved cargo space and
marketing agreements. More comprehensive network and product
enhancements are currently under development and will beintroduced in
phases.
SkyTeam's unveiling was announced at a launch event in New York City
attended by Alfonso Pasquel, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
Aeromexico; Jean-Cyril Spinetta, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
Air France; Leo F. Mullin, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
Delta; and Yi-Taek Shim, President and Chief Executive Officer of Korean
Air. Employees from member airlines participated in the announcement
representing the more than 150,000 employees who will be instrumental in
launching this alliance.
SkyTeam will offer its first round of customer service initiatives
immediately, including reciprocal lounge access, base mile accrual and
redemption, and an expanded network of flights. Additional SkyTeam
customer benefits will be phased in through the end of 2000. The SkyTeam
logo incorporates the name of the alliance and a design thatconnotes
comfort and quality. It will begin appearing on partner airlines'
literature beginning later this year. A global advertising campaign will
launch on June 23 developed around the slogan, "Caring More About You." |