What airline alliance is Delta in?
To which airline alliance does Delta belong?
In many respects, including fleet size, passenger count, and operational income, Delta Airlines Flight is a North American airline now ranking as the biggest worldwide. The business established SkyTeam, the worldwide airline alliance Delta is a part of.
What is SkyTeam?
Notably among the three main worldwide airline alliances around the globe are SkyTeam; the others are Star Alliance and Oneworld. Originally established in 2000, SkyTeam is the youngest of the three main airline alliances. Four airlines—Aeroméxico, Air France, Delta Airlines, and Korean Airlines—formed the partnership. SkyTeam will have 19 commercial members in 2022 who operate more than 14,500 daily flights and service over 1,150 different sites spread across over 175 countries. With a fleet of more than 2,800 aircraft, the SkyTeam alliance firms attract over 630 million passengers using their services.
The key benefits SkyTeam provides members include: The key benefits SkyTeam provides members include:
- Codeshare, which may involve the integration of two or more carrier’s connecting flights.
- Frequent flyer benefits are linked to a reciprocal relationship whereby both the earning and redemption of points are within the SkyTeam airlines only.
- Airport lounge access: this means frequent flyers can use the lounges of other SkyTeam airlines when traveling with any SkyTeam airline.
- Efficient baggage transfer and transportation between members: members transfer and move their baggage easily.
In other words, the SkyTeam creates a strategic partnership where members such as Delta can enhance their cooperation, whereby the flight schedules, airport operations, frequent flyer programs, and miscellaneous services aimed at passengers are aligned for the benefit of passengers.
Choosing the strategic alliance: why did Delta choose SkyTeam?
Delta likely chose to be part of SkyTeam for several key reasons: Delta likely chose to be part of SkyTeam for several key reasons:
Expansion Opportunities: This is perhaps one of the greatest benefits that Delta has from being a member of SkyTeam; it is a way of greatly expanding its coverage through the partners. This includes the geographical areas Delta has no direct flight to but has to partner with other airlines to reach.
Frequent Flyer Growth: Through membership in SkyTeam, Delta SkyMiles gains earning and redemption features to become part of the airline. This, in a way, makes the loyalty program appealing to travelers.
Brand Development: When several large international airlines work hand in hand, their brand recognition improves, and this applies to Delta.
Integrated Schedules: Delta can use its membership in SkyTeam to ensure that the flight schedules of the airline are well coordinated with those of other members and their networks.
Shared Facilities: Alliance members can make use of the airport lounges, gates, and ticketing counters in instances where both are operating at the same airport.
Joint Contracts: Delta can Partner with other companies in the SkyTeam airline to bid big contracts, such as corporate or travel agent tenders.
Delta is still a member of SkyTeam but it has separate relations with some airlines of the other global alliances, like Virgin Atlantic in Oneworld and Aer Lingus in Star Alliance. However, SkyTeam is the most essential global alliance for Delta.
Current SkyTeam Members
SkyTeam has grown substantially over the years and now has 19 member airlines: SkyTeam has grown substantially over the years and now has 19 member airlines:
- Aeroflot
- Aerolíneas Argentinas
- Aeromexico
- Air Europa
- Air France
- Alitalia
- China Airlines
- China Eastern
- Czech Airlines
- Delta Air Lines
- Garuda Indonesia
- Kenya Airways
- KLM
- Korean Air
- Middle East Airlines
- Saudia
- TAROM
- Vietnam Airlines
- XiamenAir
However, the following is a list of other airlines that are affiliate members of Sky Team Airlines and partner airlines that do not have a formal membership with Sky Team but have code share and frequent flyer agreements with the members.
Recent Changes for SkyTeam
As for the changes in the members of SkyTeam in recent years, they mainly occurred in the form of shuffling due to bankruptcies, mergers, and consolidations. Some changes include:
- However, Air Italy ceased being part of SkyTeam following its bankruptcy in 2020.
- LATAM Airlines left Oneworld in 2021 and signed a code-share partnership with Delta; the carrier is expected to join SkyTeam soon.
- As for the changes in the existing airline alliances, in 2021, Alitalia was replaced by the newly formed Italian national carrier, ITA Airways, in the Sky Team alliance.
Hence the dynamics of the landscape change but SkyTeam and Delta remain as key players, offering a vast number of connections to clients.
The Future of SkyTeam
In contrast to the recent slower pace of expansion of Star Alliance, SkyTeam continues to be more selective in expanding its membership to creak into new markets that supplement existing geography. It is not here to compete in terms of number of members or the number of destinations it offers. From Delta’s perspective, being an insider of a relatively less consolidated and more flexible alliance may well be the key to effectively selecting the most advantageous partnerships for the company and its network.
There seem to be no massive shifts on the horizon shortly; however, in the long run, SkyTeam may decide to complete its geography by adding members in regions where it has not yet ventured, such as Africa or South America. As to whether it will ultimately come to pass that LATAM will participate, there remains some degree of ambiguity, which constitutes an intriguing development to observe.
However, for the present and the near and middle-term future, Delta Air Lines will remain flying high, catering to passengers in the United States and other parts of the world as a member of the SkyTeam they call their own—the global airline alliance. It is convenient for travelers to get from one Delta hub to another, as well as other SkyTeam partners’ expansive international flight connections and free upgrade perks for Delta frequent fliers and overseas partners.
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