KLM Flying Dutchman - KLM introduces SkyPriority

KLM: Skyteam introduceert SkyPriority voor trouwe klant

Duidelijk herkenbare priorityservices helpen SkyTeam-klanten sneller over de luchthaven te bewegen.
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De wereldwijde luchtvaartalliantie SkyTeam heeft de introductie aangekondigd van SkyPriority, een reeks duidelijk herkenbare luchthavenservices voor Elite Plus-deelnemers en passagiers van First Class en Business Class. SkyPriority is ontwikkeld om binnen de gehele alliantie een gemeenschappelijke en consistente servicestandaard voor priorityservices op de luchthaven te bieden.

Het programma zal maart 2012 op een aantal geselecteerde hubs worden uitgerold. In de loop van de komende maanden zal SkyPriority geleidelijk op meer dan 800 luchthavens worden geïntroduceerd en begin 2013 op ruim 1000 luchthavens beschikbaar zijn.

Via SkyPriority zijn alle partners binnen de SkyTeam-alliantie gebonden aan een gezamenlijke en consistente servicestandaard voor priorityservices op de luchthaven. Dankzij een duidelijke zichtbaarheid van deze services vinden klanten makkelijk hun weg en kunnen zij zich sneller over de luchthaven bewegen. Daarnaast is het ook voor het luchthavenpersoneel eenvoudiger om SkyPriority-klanten te assisteren.

SkyPriority is ontwikkeld door Delta Air Lines, een van de oprichters van SkyTeam, die het product in 2010 bij haar klanten introduceerde. Vanwege het grote succes van SkyPriority heeft SkyTeam het programma overgenomen. SkyTeam vormt daarmee de eerste wereldwijde luchtvaartalliantie die deze priorityservices consistent op wereldwijde schaal aanbiedt, waarbij alle huidige en toekomstige Member airlines deelnemen.

Tot de SkyPriority-services behoren:
• Speciale incheckgebieden
• Voorrang bij de bagageafgifte
• Voorrang bij ticketkantoren op de luchthaven
• Voorrang bij transferbalies
• Snellere doorgang bij de beveiliging, indien beschikbaar
• Voorrang bij het aan boord gaan
• Voorrang bij de bagageafhandeling

"SkyPriority maakt deel uit van onze voortdurende inspanningen om de reiservaring van onze klanten te verbeteren. Door op de luchthavens consistente en uniforme diensten te leveren zorgen we dat reizen sneller en eenvoudiger wordt voor onze klanten", aldus Michael Wisbrun, algemeen directeur van SkyTeam. "Het is verreweg het grootste gezamenlijke SkyTeam-project tot op heden en een uitstekend voorbeeld van de manier waarop onze Members intensief samenwerken om onze klanten nog meer voordelen te bieden."

Op luchthavens overal ter wereld zullen de SkyPriority-services duidelijk herkenbaar worden aangegeven. Bovendien wordt het SkyPriority-logo zichtbaar op de instapkaarten van de betreffende passagiers. Daarnaast zal het beeldmerk aan de bestaande logo’s van de afzonderlijke luchtvaartmaatschappijen worden toegevoegd, zodat passagiers de SkyPriority-services op iedere luchthaven onmiddellijk kunnen herkennen.

De SkyTeam Member airlines hebben ieder hun eigen implementatiedatum en introductieperiode vastgesteld. Enkele van de eerste luchthavens waar SkyPriority wordt geïntroduceerd zijn Amsterdam, Atlanta, Guangzhou, Nairobi, Shanghai en Taipei. Begin 2013 zal SkyPriority op ruim 1000 luchthavens aanwezig zijn. Na deze geleidelijke introductie zullen in een later stadium extra SkyPriority-voordelen worden geïntroduceerd.

(source: BCD Travel in Motion)

What is going to happen to FB Silver and DL Silver for instance? In this bulletin it says that it's only for Skyteam Elite Plus members...

so I'm finally Silver (dont travel for work to much) and no more advantages? this can't be...

During the AF/FB meeting in April 2011 we were told that they were trying to get it introduced by all Skyteam airlines so customers know there is one "product" for priority.

Gajan

What is going to happen to FB Silver and DL Silver for instance? In this bulletin it says that it's only for Skyteam Elite Plus members...

so I'm finally Silver (dont travel for work to much) and no more advantages? this can't be...

According to the English-language announcement on the SkyTeam website (http://www.skyteam.com/en/About-us/Press/News/2011/SkyTeam-Introduces-SkyPriority-For-Top-Customers/), "founding SkyTeam member Delta Air Lines created the SkyPriority brand and rolled out the product to its customers in 2010. Due to the success of the project, SkyTeam has adopted the program" - so it should already be clear what has "happened" to DL Silver.

If anything, this just sounds like a renaming of the "SkyTeam Elite Plus" level to a newly-branded "SkyPriority" level, with a greater push at standardising the benefits across the member airlines. The existing "SkyTeam Elite" level should not be changed by this focus on the upper tiers.
Nowhere does it say that FB Silver is having any of its benefits dropped. FB Silver may not qualify you to have the "SkyPriority" logo printed on your boarding pass, but also nowhere has it been stated that FB Silver will be denied any of the advertised privileges associated with that level.

Source (http://www.skyteam.com/en/About-us/Press/News/2011/SkyTeam-Introduces-SkyPriority-For-Top-Customers/)

SkyTeam Introduces SkyPriority For Top Customers
Distinctively branded priority services to help customers travel faster through airports

AMSTERDAM, January 12, 2012 – SkyTeam, the global airline alliance, today announced the introduction of SkyPriority, a series of distinctively branded priority airport services offered to Elite Plus, First and Business Class customers. SkyPriority has been developed to ensure a common and consistent service standard for priority airport services across the alliance. The roll-out of the program will start in March 2012 at selected hubs. SkyPriority will gradually be implemented at 800+ stations in the course of the next few months, reaching over 1,000 airports by early 2013.

SkyPriority will align all members to a common and consistent service standard for priority airport services across the alliance. The distinctive SkyPriority branding will help customers clearly find their way and travel faster through the airport. At the same time, it will be easier for airport staff to recognize and assist eligible customers.

Founding SkyTeam member Delta Air Lines created the SkyPriority brand and rolled out the product to its customers in 2010. Due to the success of the project, SkyTeam has adopted the program, making it the first global airline alliance to consistently offer these priority services on a worldwide scale, with all current and future members participating.
SkyPriority services will include:

Priority check-in areas
Priority baggage drop-off
Priority service at airport ticket offices
Priority service at transfer desks
Priority lines at security, where available
Priority boarding
Priority baggage handling


“SkyPriority is one part of our ongoing effort to improve the customer experience. By increasing consistency at airports, we make travel faster and more convenient for our customers,” said Michael Wisbrun, SkyTeam’s Managing Director. “This is the biggest collective SkyTeam project to date and a prime example of how our members are extensively working together to bring greater benefits to our customers.”

SkyPriority services will be distinctively branded at airports worldwide and the SkyPriority indicator will be displayed on eligible passengers’ boarding passes. The brand concept will be applied to each individual airline’s existing identity, enabling passengers to instantly recognize SkyPriority services at any airport.
Each member airline has its own implementation date and roll-out timeline. Some of the first airports where SkyPriority will be launched are Amsterdam, Atlanta, Guangzhou, Nairobi, Shanghai and Taipei. By early 2013, SkyPriority will be visible at over 1,000 airports. Following this initial roll-out, additional SkyPriority benefits will be introduced in the future.

If anything, this just sounds like a renaming of the "SkyTeam Elite Plus" level to a newly-branded "SkyPriority" level, with a greater push at standardising the benefits across the member airlines.
Not exactly. SkyPriority is slightly different because it offers these benefits to pax traveling on expensive Y fares.


The existing "SkyTeam Elite" level should not be changed by this focus on the upper tiers.
Nowhere does it say that FB Silver is having any of its benefits dropped. FB Silver may not qualify you to have the "SkyPriority" logo printed on your boarding pass, but also nowhere has it been stated that FB Silver will be denied any of the advertised privileges associated with that level.
It hasn't actually been said; not in so many words, that is. I have noticed, however, that some benefits have been silently pulled away. On 5 out of my last 8 KLM flights the boarding announcements started with pax with children + C pax + Plat & Gold members (no silvers!), then everybody else. So priority boarding has been silently taken away (even though the signs [still] do include ST Elite members). My suspicion is that all the signs that say "FB Platinum Elite, FB Gold Elite, FB Silver Elite, ST Elite+, ST Elite" and the like will be replaced with "SkyPriority", effectively eliminating the Silvers from all these benefits. DL has certainly been moving in this direction.

DL Silver nowadays is very devalued. To the point that you can better have an AMEX and have more benefits than actually earn it.

With KLM or other European ST carriers it is different I think (hope?). You really have to get it by flying. So it still has some 'value'.
At AMS and CDG, I'm sure AFKL won't minimise FB Elite benefits which are very good at the home airports (including priority security which you won't get in the US).

However I'm afraid that especially in the US, SkyTeam Elite recognition and benefits will be downgraded to the point they aren't worth it any more. Don't hope it will happen to other outstations in Europe or with the Asian members.

I am for extending the benefits for E+ where possible, but not while minimizing the Elite benefits.

(BTW KLM is very generous also to other airlines' Elites).

The devaluation of ST Elite is also discussed in the Skyteam forum.

Not exactly. SkyPriority is slightly different because it offers these benefits to pax traveling on expensive Y fares.

Are you sure about Y fares being included? The blurbs above (both the Dutch and English versions) define the set of SkyPriority passengers as SkyTeam Elite Plus and/or First and/or Business, with no mention of economy pax at all.

Not exactly. SkyPriority is slightly different because it offers these benefits to pax traveling on expensive Y fares.



It hasn't actually been said; not in so many words, that is. I have noticed, however, that some benefits have been silently pulled away. On 5 out of my last 8 KLM flights the boarding announcements started with pax with children + C pax + Plat & Gold members (no silvers!), then everybody else. So priority boarding has been silently taken away (even though the signs [still] do include ST Elite members). My suspicion is that all the signs that say "FB Platinum Elite, FB Gold Elite, FB Silver Elite, ST Elite+, ST Elite" and the like will be replaced with "SkyPriority", effectively eliminating the Silvers from all these benefits. DL has certainly been moving in this direction.

The only thing is that the press release states Skypriority is for Skyteam Elite Plus member, however DL Silver Medallion also have these benefits. So it might be that only Elite Plus enjoy the perks cross-airline-network, while Silver will only count for the airline you earned it from?!

That's exactly how I read it, too.

As I said earlier, it sounds like a renaming of the "SkyTeam Elite Plus" level to a newly-branded "SkyPriority" level, with a greater push at standardising the benefits across the member airlines and at advertising the existence of a "common" standard right across the alliance. (Notwithstanding the fact that Biz/First customers also receive those perks too, as you'd expect).

It's just trying to advertise the top-tier benefits right across the alliance in a more consistent and visible way (seeing "SkyPriority" as standard across all airports and all airlines will lead to higher awareness of the top tier benefits - in a way that the uncoordinated references to "SkyTeam Elite Plus" or the various individual programme names and their differently-named upper status levels, as is done now, can achieve. Benefits can be added, taken away, or otherwise changed).

The individual airlines have always been free to extend additional benefits to their own status members (dependent on level) above the "minimum standard" that must be extended to all members of all other alliance FFPs. So FB Silver (and, as we're at it, SkyTeam Elite) should continue independently of this new branding exercise that incorporates only the SkyTeam Elite Plus levels - even if the additional perks of Silver (within FB) or SkyTeam Elite (within SkyTeam) change over time (Neither Flying Blue nor any other programme guarantees that all perks will be maintained indefinitely, regardless of what level is in question)

Delta has a nice explanation of the difference between Skypriority and their Medallion Program (just substitute the latter for FB, and think of Diamond as Club 2000 and forget about Medallion benefits ;) )


http://www.delta.com/traveling_checkin/airport_information/sky_priority/index.jsp

Medallion Program and Sky Priority
Medallion® Program Sky Priority
What's the difference?
The SkyMiles Medallion program rewards our most frequent flyers for their continued loyalty. You must be a SkyMiles member to earn the benefits of Medallion status.

Your Medallion status is determined by the number of MQMs earned or qualification segments flown within a calendar year.
Silver: 25,000 MQMs or 30 segments
Gold: 50,000 MQMs or 60 segments
Platinum: 75,000 MQMs or 100 segments
Diamond: 125,000 MQMs or 140 segments

Sky Priority is a suite of services designed to improve your experience at the airport.

These services are available to the following passengers on every trip:

•Diamond Medallion members
•Platinum Medallion members
•Gold Medallion members
•SkyTeam Elite Plus customers
•Alaska Airlines® MVP® Gold members

And on individual trips, these services are available to anyone who purchases a BusinessElite®, First Class, or Business Class ticket.

Are there different levels of service?
The benefits you receive are based on your current Medallion status.

Key Benefits:
•Unlimited complimentary upgrades
•Mileage bonuses
•Rollover MQMs
•Choice Benefits

Learn more about Medallion benefits here.
There are no status levels for Sky Priority service. Everyone who qualifies for Sky Priority, as listed above, receives the same services.



Terms and Conditions
Access to and use of Delta Sky Priority services are reserved for BusinessElite, First and Business Class passengers, Diamond, Platinum and Gold Medallion® members, SkyTeam® Elite Plus members, and Alaska Airlines® MVP® Gold members, on all Delta and Delta Connection® flights. Benefits subject to change at any time. All Sky Priority rules apply. All SkyMiles program rules apply to SkyMiles program membership, miles, offers, mile accrual, mile redemption, and travel benefits. To review the rules, please visit Membership Guide & Program Rules.

1Availability may vary for calls originating outside the U.S. & Canada.

sory for the sloppy copying of the table.
Overall I very much like Skypriority. The system they had before required me to show my FB card very often to claim priority etc, now it's a real breeze (I think it was called breezeway, wasn't it?). Also Delta has expanded the service significantly. For isntance, after passport control at ATL it takes me just a couple of minutes to pass the security check to enter the airport, etc, etc. But I have no idea what will happen to FB Silvers. They will not be included in the Skypriority, but their FB beneifts are hopefully retained.

That's exactly how I read it, too.

As I said earlier, it sounds like a renaming of the "SkyTeam Elite Plus" level to a newly-branded "SkyPriority" level, with a greater push at standardising the benefits across the member airlines and at advertising the existence of a "common" standard right across the alliance. (Notwithstanding the fact that Biz/First customers also receive those perks too, as you'd expect).

It's just trying to advertise the top-tier benefits right across the alliance in a more consistent and visible way (seeing "SkyPriority" as standard across all airports and all airlines will lead to higher awareness of the top tier benefits - in a way that the uncoordinated references to "SkyTeam Elite Plus" or the various individual programme names and their differently-named upper status levels, as is done now, can achieve. Benefits can be added, taken away, or otherwise changed).

The individual airlines have always been free to extend additional benefits to their own status members (dependent on level) above the "minimum standard" that must be extended to all members of all other alliance FFPs. So FB Silver (and, as we're at it, SkyTeam Elite) should continue independently of this new branding exercise that incorporates only the SkyTeam Elite Plus levels - even if the additional perks of Silver (within FB) or SkyTeam Elite (within SkyTeam) change over time (Neither Flying Blue nor any other programme guarantees that all perks will be maintained indefinitely, regardless of what level is in question)

All true, however there is a downgrade!

FB Silver (Skyteam Elite) used to have priority check-in/boarding at DL. If you read the Skypriority press release it only speaks of Skyteam Elite Plus, whilst at the moment @ skyteam.com it still reads Skyteam Elite and Elite Plus. So in the end it is downgrade for Silver members I think..

FB Silver (Skyteam Elite) used to have priority check-in/boarding at DL. If you read the Skypriority press release it only speaks of Skyteam Elite Plus, whilst at the moment @ skyteam.com it still reads Skyteam Elite and Elite Plus. So in the end it is downgrade for Silver members I think..

FB Silver (Skyteam Elite) still has priority check-in/boarding with DL.

SkyPriority has nothing to do with FB Silver/Skyteam Elite - so reading articles about SkyPriority will tell you nothing about the benefits that FB Silver/Skyteam Elite are suposed to have (and likewise, it's incorrect to make assumptions from such articles).

If you want to find out the perks and benefits of FB Silver/Skyteam Elite, the place to look is at the Skyteam benefits page (http://www.skyteam.com/en/Why-SkyTeam/SkyTeam-Benefits/) - where Skyteam Elite is still listed as benefiting from both Priority Check In "at most airports" (which is stated, for Delta, as First Class / Business Elite / Medallion counters) and Priority Boarding (with the proviso, for Delta, that "Delta does not offer this benefit on Delta Shuttle and Delta Connection flights")

Just came back to say:-

if you check Delta's benefits (http://www.delta.com/skymiles/about_skymiles/benefits_at_glance/index.jsp), they extend Priority Check-In and Priority Boarding to their Silvers (who are Skyteam Elite) as well as their Golds, Platinums and Diamonds (who are all Skyteam Elite Plus and also SkyPriority).

SkyPriority has been running over at Delta for almost 2 years. So again, there is absolutely no reason to expect that SkyTeam Elites are on the verge of having Priority Check-In and Priority Boarding removed, when Delta did no such thing on introducing SkyPriority...

Are you sure about Y fares being included?
I may have confused free EC (which do extend to expensive Y fares) with SkyPriority.

Just came back to say:-

if you check Delta's benefits (http://www.delta.com/skymiles/about_skymiles/benefits_at_glance/index.jsp), they extend Priority Check-In and Priority Boarding to their Silvers (who are Skyteam Elite) as well as their Golds, Platinums and Diamonds (who are all Skyteam Elite Plus and also SkyPriority).
Yes, they do say that, but I've had experiences that were contrary to that, both on KL, where during boarding they explicitly and repeatedly said that only Platinum and Gold members (and biz) pax may board, and on DL (at CVG) where there were signs (e.g. for check-in) basically separating SkyPriority pax from the cattle. Of course, this is just anecdotal evidence, but IME there is a difference in what they say and what they do.

Maybe I'm being a bit negative here (which is perhaps understandable after getting screwed over and over by DL), but it seems to me that the idea of SkyPriority is to simplify things. Instead of agents having to know exactly to whom to extend the benefits and having signs listing all those qualified, it's much easier to streamline all this into a SkyPriority concept. I love the idea of no longer having to show the stupid card and instead having "SkyPriority" printed on the BP. (Sidenote: SkyPriority did NOT appear on my electronic BP last time I qualified for it and I was flying DL; it did appear on the paper BP)

As a result, I do believe that Silvers get the shaft because Silver is not SkyPriority. If the boarding call says SkyPriority and that's not on your BP, as a Silver you'd have to argue with the agent and you may or may not win the argument. Same for priority check-in. The may say that Silvers get priority whatever, but in practice this may slowly disappear. (I do hope that I'm wrong.)

Re: Priority boarding

Delta assign passengers to Zones for boarding. First/business pax are invited to 'preboard' first, followed by STE+ in Zone 1, who are then followed (in theory) by STE (i.e. Silvers, both DL and partners) in Zone 2, then the rest of the pax (non-elite Y) in Zones 3 and 4 etc.

So, in theory, if KL adopts SkyPriority, Silvers will still get some priority in boarding, just not with the Plats and Golds.

In practice, DL boarding is often a scrum around the gate, with a lot of pax crowded around a woefully too short SkyPriority lane. And on elite-heavy routes, there appear to be dozens of people in Zone 1:rolleyes:

So, in theory, if KL adopts SkyPriority, Silvers will still get some priority in boarding, just not with the Plats and Golds.

SkyPriority and boarding by zones are two different things. DL had boarding by zones WAY before the SkyPriority concept existed. KL is adopting SkyPriority; since nothing has been said about boarding zones I think it is safe to assume that KL will not be implementing this "feature".


PS: Good point about "pre-boarding"... the prefix suggests that it is something that happens BEFORE the boarding. It really should be just "boarding".

Re: Priority boarding

Delta assign passengers to Zones for boarding. First/business pax are invited to 'preboard' first, followed by STE+ in Zone 1, who are then followed (in theory) by STE (i.e. Silvers, both DL and partners) in Zone 2, then the rest of the pax (non-elite Y) in Zones 3 and 4 etc.

So, in theory, if KL adopts SkyPriority, Silvers will still get some priority in boarding, just not with the Plats and Golds.

In practice, DL boarding is often a scrum around the gate, with a lot of pax crowded around a woefully too short SkyPriority lane. And on elite-heavy routes, there appear to be dozens of people in Zone 1:rolleyes:

Add almost everyone with an AMEX to zone 2. :rolleyes:

D'oh. I should learn to read before I reply!

SkyPriority and boarding by zones are two different things.

Good point, although with DL the SkyPriority 'branding' IS used at the gate, but then DL's concept of a 'simple' approach to priority breaks down. Up until the gate, SkyPriority lumps together First/Business and STE+, but then they are seperated again for boarding.

Source (http://www.skyteam.com/en/About-us/Press/News/2011/SkyTeam-Introduces-SkyPriority-For-Top-Customers/)

I am intrigued, to use a Dutch expression, how this will pan out at the Priority lanes for security at AMS.
The staff who control entrance to Priority lane (for F C and selected FQTV Elites) are as assertive and self-confident about their knowledge of the rules as they short-sighted in being able to read boarding passes.

And, by the way, as assertive and self-confident as the actual security staff are just plain downright aloof, intolerably insenstive and flipping rude to handicapped passengers, but that might be another topic.

Since the SkyPriority categories are far out of harmony with the Schiphol rules, and the likelihood that the AMS Priority Lane Watchers will turn down several of them, one wonders how much the Dutch GDP will suffer from the long-lasting lost friends it will make (lose) at this departure point from NL.

REM: AMS and KLM: yes, you can contact me, feel free, to discuss resolution and how I may have alerted you to a face-losing risk.

I am intrigued, to use a Dutch expression, how this will pan out at the Priority lanes for security at AMS.
The staff who control entrance to Priority lane (for F C and selected FQTV Elites) are as assertive and self-confident about their knowledge of the rules as they short-sighted in being able to read boarding passes.


Luckily, I never had a bad experience with staff checking the right to access security priority lanes.

I have never had success when doing say xxx-MEM-AMS-MAN , does this mean as a PM I will get preferential treatment on the AMS-MAN leg?

Posted this in the Skyteam forum might as well post here


SkyPriority will align all members to a common and consistent service standard for priority airport services across the alliance. The distinctive SkyPriority branding will help customers clearly find their way and travel faster through the airport. At the same time, it will be easier for airport staff to recognize and assist eligible customers

In this paragraph they are basically saying, Elite Members will NOT experience commen and consistent service standard for priority airport services, even though they are entitled too around the world.

I am not at all sure, why they only decided too serve consistent priority service for Elite Plus in the future which they are kinda also doing now including Elites, but for the future they are deciding to improve this service and drop Elites? I find this a bit ridiculous.

Also, Delta indeed refuses to board Silvers in the SkyPriority boarding (Only Diamond and Gold/Skyteam Elite Plus). So the silvers do get left behind with the non-status pax. Doesn't this take the 'priority' boarding out of priority boarding?

If they really implement and exclude the Silvers, I think I will just change to Star Alliance :-:.

Again, I'm somewhat amazed that you are reading so much (downgrading of Silver) into this.

All that's happening is that the unwieldy "First Class, Business Class, Flying Blue Platinum, Flying Blue Gold, Club 2000, Flying Blue Petroleum, and Skyteam Elite Plus" is being replaced by the term "SkyPriority".

Nowhere has it been stated that SkyTeam Elite benefits are being withdrawn, and I don't see any logic in automatically assuming that, because SkyTeam Elite is not addressed at all, that this is the case. (As SkyTeam Elite is not entitled to the set of benefits that are being re-branded SkyPriority, then of course the information published about SkyPriority will not mention SkyTeam Elite).

If they were to include SkyTeam Elite (e.g. Flying Blue silver) in the "SkyPriority" set, it would involve granting them increased benefits - effectively upgrading all Silvers to Gold. Surely, you will admit that they would not be so generous, as this would amount to a cancellation of the "Silver" level, with a corresponding reduction in the qualification threshold for SkyTeam Elite Plus.

Again, SkyTeam Elite does not currently qualify for many benefits, such as lounge access, so to include SkyTeam Elite in "SkyPriority" would have been a major "upgrade" for that status level.

I'm not very familiar with Delta, but the point of Priority Boarding for Silvers/FlyingBlue Elite is moot. As per SkyTeam rules, these members are entitled to Priority Boarding - but this does not necessarily mean that they are allowed to board with First/Business/SkyTeam Elite Plus - as long as they are then allowed to board in the second-priority group (anything that involves being allowed to board before your seat row number/boarding zone is called is considered Priority Boarding).

As regards Priorty Check-In, again this is a benefit extended to SkyTeam Elite as per current SkyTeam rules. Even if the First/Business class checkin counters in future only say "SkyPriority" (as seems to be the case with Delta), this benefit is still supposed to be extended to SkyTeam Elites. Just because the signs "First/Business/Flying Blue Platinum/Flying Blue Gold/Flying Blue Silver/Flying Blue Petroleum/Club 2000/SkyTeam Elite Plus/SkyTeam Elite" have or will be replaced with just "SkyPriority" does not automatically mean that those who are entitled to priority checkin, but are not deemed SkyPriority, will lose this benefit (though, of course, such passengers may in future face resistance from unknowledgeable check-in agents).

Any one received the new FF cards for 2012 (I guess I'm WAY to early to ask that question)? I'm wondering if the Elite Plus writing in tiny lettering underneath the Skyteam Logo has/is being replaced by SkyPriority?

Again, I'm somewhat amazed that you are reading so much (downgrading of Silver) into this.
[...] Just because the signs "First/Business/Flying Blue Platinum/Flying Blue Gold/Flying Blue Silver/Flying Blue Petroleum/Club 2000/SkyTeam Elite Plus/SkyTeam Elite" have or will be replaced with just "SkyPriority" does not automatically mean that those who are entitled to priority checkin, but are not deemed SkyPriority, will lose this benefit (though, of course, such passengers may in future face resistance from unknowledgeable check-in agents).
Yes, the article did not SPECIFICALLY say that ST elites are getting screwed. As I explained in post #15, the end result is likely to be that, however. Yes, I am indeed speculating (as we often do on FT), but I do believe that Elites/Silvers are getting shafted as a result of this change, as I have witnessed on DL.

Yes, the article did not SPECIFICALLY say that ST elites are getting screwed. As I explained in post #15, the end result is likely to be that, however. Yes, I am indeed speculating (as we often do on FT), but I do believe that Elites/Silvers are getting shafted as a result of this change, as I have witnessed on DL.

They may as well dump SkyTeam Elite // Flying Blue Silver then!

And if they read this thread and see that the general reaction is that "SkyPriority means no more Silver" then they may just go ahead and make your dreams come true!!!

I have to say ST Elite is already generous compared with *S Silver which will get you nothing tangible.

They may as well dump SkyTeam Elite // Flying Blue Silver then!
:) Exactly.

Maybe this sounds like a conspiracy theory, but back in the day NW (and DL) had Silver, Gold, Plat. Then DL introduced a higher tier - Diamond - and it seems that they are slowly raising the bar to the point where Silvers is all but eliminated as a status. With DL you have fewer benefits as Silver, the same as an Amex holder. Additionally, some benefits were initially taken away from Plats, only to return as Diamond benefits when they introduced the new status.

And if they read this thread and see that the general reaction is that "SkyPriority means no more Silver" then they may just go ahead and make your dreams come true!!!
As a Silver, I'd sooner categorize them as nightmares. :)

I do hope that I'm wrong. I just think that generally FF programs have been a bubble that pretty much burst. They got to the point where they have been unsustainable, so they airlines have been chipping away at them. The point is to reward high rollers, not those who fly often but on cheap fares (like myself). The "April fools" FB conundrum was a move in that direction. DL devaluing miles Zimbabwe-style was also in line with that. But I digress...

SkyPriority is a good concept that makes things efficient. I just hope they don't forget about us Silvers. I SAID I HOPE THEY DON'T FORGET ABOUT US SILVERS. Hello?! Delta? KLM? Anyone...? Hellooooooooo... <crickets> ;)

They may as well dump SkyTeam Elite // Flying Blue Silver then!

And if they read this thread and see that the general reaction is that "SkyPriority means no more Silver" then they may just go ahead and make your dreams come true!!!

Earlier in this thread I opted the same feeling and again got a reaction like this. I hate to say this, but I find your reaction a bit hostile.

This forum is to discuss and exchange ideas,thoughts and experiences. (at leas to my humble opinion) When I read this article, my thoughts are 'were are the Skyteam Elite' members mentioned? As I tried hard to get to Silver, I'd like to know that I will profit from it now that I am Elite member.

If Skyteam Elite members are eligible for Priority Check-in, I find it a weird and bad thing if this is replaced with a sign for SkyPriority (which is NOT for silvers). I will confuse members if they have or not have the right to use the Priority Check-in.

Your speculation is the same as ours. I find this will not hurt the Silvers and we think it is....let's leave it at that and in the end I hope you are right.

Of course, we can all speculate. But speculating that the long-standing published benefits of SkyTeam Elite status are about to be dumped by KLM as a result of a rebranding exercise for levels over and above Silver seems to be to be worrying just a little bit too much.

SkyPriority is a good concept that makes things efficient.Yeah, sure, on paper it does.

KL can't even get priority boarding right at its one and only hub, so it will be interesting to see how this gets implemented.

Johan

Ive studied the whole thing. And I've read nowhere, I repeat nowhere hat FB Silver will loose any benefits. Any statement suggesting that Silvers will loose benefits can be classified at a scale ranging from speculation to phantasy imho.

Ive studied the whole thing. And I've read nowhere, I repeat nowhere hat FB Silver will loose any benefits. Any statement suggesting that Silvers will loose benefits can be classified at a scale ranging from speculation to phantasy imho.

You're right; it hasn't been specifically articulated, but in practice there are facts that point in that direction. While some of us are indeed speculating, I did present some facts that point in that direction so I wouldn't rush label it a fantasy.

Does anyone know when they will impliment the changes at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport?
SB

The press releases quoted and linked to on the first page state that it will begin rollout in selected hubs in March 2012. I would imagine that AMS would be amongst the first wave.

It would seem like it. Actually there is already an area of the check-in area in Departures 2 cordoned off as if construction works were going on behind and the walls they put up have large "SkyPriority" signs on them.

It would seem like it. Actually there is already an area of the check-in area in Departures 2 cordoned off as if construction works were going on behind and the walls they put up have large "SkyPriority" signs on them.

The construction work going on behind these walls have nothing to do with the new Sky Priority project. The counters sealed off behind these walls are getting ready for 70MB project. This is a new bagage system were Schiphol Airport is able to handle 70 million bags a year.

Sky Priority is gonna be an easier way for passengers to find their way around the airport. So if your SkyTeam Elite Plus and/or travelling Business Class no matter were you are you'll get the priority service you're probably expecting from an airline. As far as I know Silver Elite members will NOT be taken out of the priority service. Probably the main difference is gonna be the boarding procedure. First passengers with Sky Priority will board the plane and then the second boarding group will be Silver Elite members and then the rest of the passengers. So don't worry if you're a Silver Elite member like me!

Silver Elite members will NOT be taken out of the priority service. Probably the main difference is gonna be the boarding procedure. First passengers with Sky Priority will board the plane and then the second boarding group will be Silver Elite members!Are you not contradicting yourself here? Will there be two levels of priority service, with Sky Priority taking precedence over Silver Elite?

Anyhow, it is the implementation that matters. If the gate agents can't be bothered to announce or enforce priority boarding, then it doesn't really matter whether you are entitled to Sky Priority treatment or not.

Johan

Are you not contradicting yourself here? Will there be two levels of priority service, with Sky Priority taking precedence over Silver Elite?


I don't think it's necessarily a contradiction. Many airlines have several "levels" of priority, progressively inviting additional groups to come forward before they start seating by row-seat or group number.

Many airlines have several "levels" of priority, progressively inviting additional groups to come forward before they start seating by row-seat or group number.

...and EVERYBODY answering positive to the first invitation ;)

...and EVERYBODY answering positive to the first invitation ;)

They should enforce it - and if you try too early you get sent to the very back of the non-elite economy line :)

I don't think it's necessarily a contradiction. Many airlines have several "levels" of priority, progressively inviting additional groups to come forward before they start seating by row-seat or group number.

Can you please be so kind to elaborate how this will work if they do follow the Delta SkyPriority concept?

http://s17.postimage.org/xktj8pq2n/Delta_10_959_487_cy_90.jpg

As you can see here, SkyTeam Elite are in the 'General Boarding', so where will the priority boarding for Elite members be when they do introduce SkyPriority following the Delta guidelines?

It that happens, they are taking priority boarding away from Silvers/Elites.

As you can see here, SkyTeam Elite are in the 'General Boarding', so where will the priority boarding for Elite members be when they do introduce SkyPriority following the Delta guidelines?

It that happens, they are taking priority boarding away from Silvers/Elites.

^My point exactly!

The point that Silvers still get some priority by calling Silvers before the cattle has little basis in reality because everybody in the general boarding line is treated equally. They may call different zones, but it really is a general cattle call because at that point nobody cares anymore - not the GAs nor the pax. DL does announce various zones, but realistically after SkyPriority it's a cattle call.

Also, when priority check-in is segregated the same way (SkyPriority and others), Silvers will have to get in the general line.

Can you please be so kind to elaborate how this will work if they do follow the Delta SkyPriority concept?

I boarded a United flight in Heathrow last month where the hierarchy was rigidly enforced.


First they call their First Class passengers and Million Milers and 1K status passengers.

Then they call their Business Class passengers and their Premier Executive status passengers.

Then they call their Premier status passengers.

Then they call their Zone 1 economy passengers.

Then they call their Zone 2 economy passengers.

Then they call their Zone 3 economy passengers.

Then they call any remaining passengers.


For KLM, all they need to do is commence boarding SkyPriority customers while not opening the General Boarding line. When SkyPriority is thinning out, they could invite SkyTeamElite forward, to either board at the back of the SkyPriority line, or to come to the head of the General Boarding line.

Simples!

Then I have to agree with Florin in this case.

The point that Silvers still get some priority by calling Silvers before the cattle has little basis in reality because everybody in the general boarding line is treated equally. They may call different zones, but it really is a general cattle call because at that point nobody cares anymore - not the GAs nor the pax.

Enforcement is just impossible with KLM as it seems today.

NEWS is refreshed on flyingbluenews.com en we were right...slowly Silver is being downgraded.

---

U herkent of u in aanmerking komt voor de SkyPriority service aan de tekst SkyPriority op uw boarding pass. Vanaf het inchecken tot uw vertrek, volg simpelweg de borden met het speciale rode SkyPriority-label om gebruik te maken van:
voorrang bij het inchecken
voorrang bij de bagageafgifte
voorrang bij de douane en de veiligheidscontrole
voorrang bij de ticketbalie en de transferbalie
voorrang bij het aan boord gaan
Bent u Flying Blue Silver-deelnemer? U blijft dan uw huidige voordelen behouden.
Dit betekent dat u gebruik kunt maken van de volgende SkyPriority services: voorrang bij het inchecken, voorrang bij de bagageafgifte en voorrang bij het aan boord gaan.
----

It basically says in the end that Silver members still hold 'current' benefits, but they only say: dedicated check-in, dedicated baggage and early boarding.

It doesn't say we can still use the fast lane at customs, which for AMS is one of 2 main reasons to get silver!

Ah please not the priority lane!
Also Elite transferdesks were previously available to silvers and now not any more.

Ah please not the priority lane!
Also Elite transferdesks were previously available to silvers and now not any more.

It seems that on klm.com these advantages are still named under Silver Benefits....probably somebody's gonna notice, when SkyPriority is introduced and people start complaining...

I have contacted my KLM contact asking to confirm the situation of FB Silver / Skyteam Elite members.

I will post an update as soon as I have received any news.

Enforcement is just impossible with KLM as it seems today.I checked out the refurbished D5 gate today. It seems that KL have finally come to the conclusion that most of their gate agents just won't enfore priority boarding unless the physcal gate infrastructure compels them to do so. The new gates will go a long way in this respect, but it still won't stop the GAs from boarding both categories simultaneously.

Johan

I checked out the refurbished D5 gate today. It seems that KL have finally come to the conclusion that most of their gate agents just won't enfore priority boarding unless the physcal gate infrastructure compels them to do so. The new gates will go a long way in this respect, but it still won't stop the GAs from boarding both categories simultaneously.

Johan

Did you perhaps take any pictures? Thx!

Did you perhaps take any pictures? Thx!Nope, sorry.

The main changes are:

- boarding card scanners are now at the entrance to the jetway.

- separate waiting area for elites etc.

- more and clearer signage.

- priority lane at the security checkpoint.

Johan

Ah please not the priority lane!
Also Elite transferdesks were previously available to silvers and now not any more.

At least this will shrink the priority lane and make it shorter than the ordinary lane at - especially - the AMS-CDG flights ^

Now, it's official
http://flyingbluenews.com/news/1098/SkyPriority_a_new_airport_experience_for_our_most_ valued_customers_.html

As of end of March 2012, AIR FRANCE and KLM together with all other SkyTeam airlines will introduce an aligned service called Sky Priority which will cover all priority airport services. Early 2013 SkyPriority will be launched at more than 1,000 airports worldwide

Passengers eligible for the SkyPriority service are Flying Blue Platinum and Flying Blue Gold members as well as the SkyTeam Elite Plus members and First & Business Class passengers of all SkyTeam airlines.

Launching this service, the SkyTeam airlines aim to enhance the customer experience on the ground by offering greater recognition and consistent service delivery whenever you travel with any SkyTeam airline partner.

From check-in to take-off and through to your final destination, simply follow the signs with the special red label to enjoy the following priority services:

Priority check-in
Priority baggage drop-off
Priority at immigration (passport control) and security
Priority service at ticket office and transfer desk
Priority boarding

Passengers eligible for the SkyPriority service will also find SkyPriority on their boarding pass.

All Silvers can calm down :)
"Please note: Flying Blue Silver members will enjoy SkyPriority for their current benefits: priority check-in, priority baggage drop-off and priority boarding. "

For silvers the biggest advantage is taken away though: Priority at security.

Actually let me rephrase that. Priority at security is not offered through SkyPriority, but might very well be through the 'old' way; purely the FB level might be enough to use that line.

I think/expect/hope that Silvers can definitely make use of the priority lane at homebase AMS. Just like I think that they will also remain having priority baggage delivery on AFKL flights. Benefits offered by FB's airlines for FB members but not in the worldwide ST standard seem not so weird.

Today's Flying Blue update email mentions Sky Priority. The linked article on www.flyingbluenews.com specifically addresses Silvers - obviously someone at KL has been reading this thread!

Please note: Flying Blue Silver members will enjoy SkyPriority for their current benefits: priority check-in, priority baggage drop-off and priority boarding.

When DL introduced SkyPriority, a lot of Silver Medallions complained, and at the end of the day, us Silvers didn't lose any benefits at all. At big airports such as ATL and JFK, there is a SkyPriority lane for check-in, and another one for Silver/Skyteam Elite. Sometimes you will find the Silver check-in less crowded than the skypriority one. In terms of security, Silvers never had this benefit in the U.S. but some airports individually accepted Silvers, which continues to be the case. I don't really see how it will change things on this side of the world, especially when the advertised benefits for Silvers are being kept.

Please note: Flying Blue Silver members will enjoy SkyPriority for their current benefits: priority check-in, priority baggage drop-off and priority boarding.


So 'we' do get Skypriority for those benefits? That would mean that Silvers are not in a separate boardinggroup?

We won't know until it's implemented if Silvers will be invited to board with the SkyPriority group (though I expect so), or after SkyPriority but before general boarding.

Shouldn't be this topic in the general Flying Blue Forum?

And is Air France in CDG also using the term "SkyPriority"? :confused: I thought that there is a rule in France that they have to use french words? And it's also a bit funny, that they use a english term (SkyPriority) and english isn't the language even in the country of Air France or KLM.

Shouldn't be this topic in the general Flying Blue Forum?

And is Air France in CDG also using the term "SkyPriority"? :confused: I thought that there is a rule in France that they have to use french words? And it's also a bit funny, that they use a english term (SkyPriority) and english isn't the language even in the country of Air France or KLM.

They are going to use that in ALL Skyteam airports so that all E+ know where they have to go. It really is to make a single, uniform, worldwide service (that ought to be consistent) for C/F/E+.
SkyPriority comes from Delta who began offering a single priority service at all their airports for their premium pax.

Seeing as it's a lot harder to get FB Silver than DL Silver, they should keep the benefits for them.

I really enjoyed having KL/AF treat me like a FB SL when I was a DL Silver for the first couple of weeks this year - a lot better than that SkyPriority garbage in the US where they really show no appreciation for your business....

Seeing as it's a lot harder to get FB Silver than DL Silver, they should keep the benefits for them.

That's debatable. You can qualify for FB Silver with only 15 segments - very easy.

SkyPriority video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9e-KaLCT4s&feature=g-all&context=G2d4b844FAAAAAAAAAAA)

LOL - I'm already DL Gold with under 15 segments - 1 Asia trip and a few trans-Atlantics on AF/KL/DL. I guess it's easy if you're based in AMS/CDG.....

Wow, completely looks like they copied the Swiss logo in that video

Wow, completely looks like they copied the Swiss logo in that video

Actually, I think KLM has come up with the coloured rectangles.

That's debatable. You can qualify for FB Silver with only 15 segments - very easy.

I don't find it easy at all :) I don't fly for my work (at least not a lot), so for me it was quite a challange to become Silver. Thats why I was really interested in finding out if it will be downgraded now :)

Wow, completely looks like they copied the Swiss logo in that video

Well, good thing Swiss aren't using that logo anymore!

http://imjustcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/swiss-airlines-logo-design-470x163.jpg

(That said, white text in a red box is hardly a "logo")

I guess they're not completely the same, but that's the first thing I thought when I saw that video....

I don't find it easy at all :) I don't fly for my work (at least not a lot), so for me it was quite a challange to become Silver. Thats why I was really interested in finding out if it will be downgraded now :)

As I mentioned before, since us Delta Silvers didn't see any downgrade, at all, and still receive the same benefits, I don't think the rest of the skyteam low tier elites will see a downgrade.

I don't find it easy at all :) I don't fly for my work (at least not a lot), so for me it was quite a challange to become Silver.

If you don't fly O/D, 1 RT is at least 4 segments. 5 RTs and you're Silver. It gets better if you fly EU-NOAM (or the other way around) because you can transit a hub in EU and one in the US. 2 such RTs nets you 12 segments, which puts you very close.

Air France magazine is curently advertising Sky Priority. The Sky Priority sign in the showcase clearly says: Flying Blue Silver/Gold/Platinum.

End of speculation : )

Air France magazine is curently advertising Sky Priority. The Sky Priority sign in the showcase clearly says: Flying Blue Silver/Gold/Platinum.

End of speculation : )

Hurray!

But still wait and see

Hurray!

But still wait and see

Yes. I fully trust it's accurate...but can imagine it can cause problems in (especially US) outstations.
Unsurprisingly, club2000 and petroleum club were also on the depicted sign.

Idea for Skyteam (If they take the effort to read our ramblings): please print the sky priority logo on our baggage labels, e-tickets, boarding cards and especially on our frequent flyer cards.

I have been told by KLM that though priority security is not a FB Silver benefit these members will continue to be allowed access at AMS when SkyPriority is introduced.

This may of course be different at outstations.

Gajan

I have been told by KLM that though priority security is not a FB Silver benefit these members will continue to be allowed access at AMS when SkyPriority is introduced.

This may of course be different at outstations.

Gajan

If that is the case, it is a bit of a farce, isn't it?....skyteam-wide? :roll eyes:

The pic in the AF magazine showed a sign with was obviously taken at CDG 2E.

I have been told by KLM that though priority security is not a FB Silver benefit these members will continue to be allowed access at AMS when SkyPriority is introduced.

This may of course be different at outstations.

Gajan

Was this really true? I always that it was one of the benefits...

I just saw on skyteam.com dat priority baggage isn't any longer a Skyteam Elite Benefit...or was this already the case? I don't have much reference since I'm not Silver for long and on my last DL flights I flew C. So I was entitled to the benefits anyway

If that is the case, it is a bit of a farce, isn't it?....skyteam-wide? :roll eyes:

The pic in the AF magazine showed a sign with was obviously taken at CDG 2E.

It never was announced that FB Silver would benefit from the SkyPriority benefits however certain benefit remain for these members.
In my opinion Skyteam Elite gets you more than Star Alliance Silver.

Was this really true? I always that it was one of the benefits...

I just saw on skyteam.com dat priority baggage isn't any longer a Skyteam Elite Benefit...or was this already the case? I don't have much reference since I'm not Silver for long and on my last DL flights I flew C. So I was entitled to the benefits anyway

Priority luggage is/was a Skyteam Elite Plus benefit but FB Silver members are given it when flying on AF/KL as well (and maybe also when AF/KL do check-in for another Skyteam partners flight).

FB Silvers only get/got priority baggage and security on AFKL flights and at AMS respectively.
Security was never a worldwide benefit. Heck, even Elite+ didn't always get priority security at outstations.

In my opinion Skyteam Elite gets you more than Star Alliance Silver.


Most definitely!

Air France magazine is curently advertising Sky Priority. The Sky Priority sign in the showcase clearly says: Flying Blue Silver/Gold/Platinum.

End of speculation : )

The March edition? Do you happen to (roughly) know the page number?

Most definitely!



The March edition? Do you happen to (roughly) know the page number?

Don't know the page number, but it was towards the end near the section where they list the aircraft types.

Hi,

Finally...my first post. (so please forgive me if it ended up in the wrong thread...)

I've heard yesterday (from a friend) that the launch date for SkyPriority at Schiphol is planned on the 25th of March.
Is this true? Can anyone confirm this?

Hi,

Finally...my first post. (so please forgive me if it ended up in the wrong thread...)

I've heard yesterday (from a friend) that the launch date for SkyPriority at Schiphol is planned on the 25th of March.
Is this true? Can anyone confirm this?



Good news travels fast
SkyPriority will be introduced at SkyTeam airports worldwide starting in March 2012 and continue through 2013. Amsterdam, Atlanta, Guangzhou, Nairobi, Prague, Shanghai and Taipei will be some of the first airports to roll-out SkyPriority.

http://www.skyteam.com/fr/Why-SkyTeam/SkyPriority/

From this month's issue of Holland Herald:

"SkyPriority, a collection of priority services for First/Business Class passengers and SkyTeam Elite Plus members, including Flying Blue Platinum and Gold"

Johan

Finally...my first post. Welcome!

Johan

[FONT="Microsoft Sans Serif"]
Finally...my first post.

That is not poss... I mean, WELCOME. :D

This photo shows that Skyteam Elite are also invited:

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/417086_10150658945693393_227713703392_9378182_5868 17238_n.jpg

Source: Skyteam Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/skyteam)

This photo shows that Skyteam Elite are also invited:

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/417086_10150658945693393_227713703392_9378182_5868 17238_n.jpg

Source: Skyteam Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/skyteam)

i'm assuming premium economy is referring to premium voyageur? in that case it can cause confusion with economy comfort, i can imagine passengers with EC-seats reading the sign also tryig to use it, or will it also be allowed?

i'm assuming premium economy is referring to premium voyageur? in that case it can cause confusion with economy comfort, i can imagine passengers with EC-seats reading the sign also tryig to use it, or will it also be allowed?

EC is not a Premium Economy product so no access

I was at Schiphol 2 weeks ago and the Sky Priority check-in is being build is across from the ticket counters.

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg141/scaled.php?server=141&filename=imageazv.jpg&res=medium

Why would they set it up all the way down there? Most people enter T1/T2 at the point where the current Elite counters are. So to now use the Priority counters one will need to walk all the way to the entrance of T3, check in, and walk all the way back to security :S

This photo shows that Skyteam Elite are also invited:


That's an exception at LHR T4 (and may also be an exception at other airports). Note the "We also welcome" text, which indicates that those passengers are NOT SkyPriority but may use those desks.

From and e-mail received today:

"Als Flying Blue Silver Elite-deelnemer bent u ook welkom om gebruik te maken van een aantal SkyPriority-services. Volg simpelweg de borden met het speciale rode SkyPriority-label om te profiteren van uw Silver Elite-voordelen, zoals:

• voorrang bij het inchecken

• voorrang bij de bagage drop-off

• voorrang bij het aan boord gaan

De overige SkyPriority-services zijn gereserveerd voor Flying Blue Elite Plus-deelnemers en passagiers in First en Business Class:

• voorrang bij de douane en de security check

• voorrang bij de ticketbalie en de transferbalie

Op Amsterdam Airport Schiphol kunnen Flying Blue Silver Elite-deelnemers echter wel gebruik maken van deze services. "

So, SE gets priorty check-in, bag drop and boarding. At AMS they also get priorty at ticket/transfer desks, security and customs.

I'm not sure why they keep going on about priority at customs. There is no such thing for anybody.

They may also wish to ask themselves why they sent me this e-mail, "als Flying Blue Silver Elite-deelnemer" Last time I checked, I was still LTPE.

Johan

That's an exception at LHR T4 (and may also be an exception at other airports). Note the "We also welcome" text, which indicates that those passengers are NOT SkyPriority but may use those desks.

My guess it is not an exception based on photo's on the Skyteam Facebook page (see the General SkyPriority album (https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150639143318393.398550.227713703392&type=3) and the Delta SkyPriority album (https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150658945348393.401596.227713703392&type=3)). and the e-mail I received today from FB.

In an e-mail received today from FB:

Als Flying Blue Silver Elite-deelnemer bent u ook welkom om gebruik te maken van een aantal SkyPriority-services. Volg simpelweg de borden met het speciale rode SkyPriority-label om te profiteren van uw Silver Elite- voordelen, zoals:
• voorrang bij het inchecken
• voorrang bij de bagage drop-off
• voorrang bij het aan boord gaan

De overige SkyPriority-services zijn gereserveerd voor Flying Blue Elite Plus-deelnemers en passagiers in First en Business Class:
• voorrang bij de douane en de security check
• voorrang bij de ticketbalie en de transferbalie

Op Amsterdam Airport Schiphol kunnen Flying Blue Silver Elite-deelnemers echter wel gebruik maken van deze services.

Short translation:

Silver members are entitled to:

Priority check-in;
Priority baggage drop-off;
Priority boarding.


Passengers in First/Business & Elite Plus members are also eligible for:

Priority security & passport control;
Priority at ticket office.


At AMS FB Silver Elite members can also benefit from these benefits (priority security, passport control & ticket office.

Johan beat me]But only by a few seconds, and I did not use a baseball bat. :D

Johan

Pfeew good news! ^

But do FB Silvers per se have to fly AF/KL to get priority security/immigration at AMS or will another ST carrier do just fine?

What I find funny (or actually, quite pathetic) is that two (even lifetime) plats have received such email, and me - as silver - haven't (yet). :confused:

They also don't mention priority luggage delivery on AFKLM flights.

me - as silver - haven't (yet).

Relax, you will soon get an e-mail beginning "As a Flying Blue Life-time Platinum Elite member. . . . ."

Johan

Relax, you will soon get an e-mail beginning "As a Flying Blue Life-time Platinum Elite member. . . . ."

Johan

If only... :D;)

The exceptional part is that at LHR (and it appears TPE), ST Elite will be using the same desks as SkyPriority. At ATL, for example, SkyPriority/ST Elite+ and DL Silver Medallion/ST Elite have always had separate counters since SkyPriority was introduced. The photos from ATL are too small for me to make out the text, but I'm going to guess that at check-in, it only covers ST E+ and premium passengers. The emails targeted to FB Silvers make it pretty clear that they are not SkyPriority but may avail themselves of a subset of those benefits (with a few additional perks being offered at AMS).

The photos from ATL are too small for me to make out the text, but I'm going to guess that at check-in, it only covers ST E+ and premium passengers. The emails targeted to FB Silvers make it pretty clear that they are not SkyPriority but may avail themselves of a subset of those benefits (with a few additional perks being offered at AMS).

I plan to be in ATL at the end of the month, so I ll try not to forget to take some pics

Short translation:

Silver members are entitled to:

Priority check-in;
Priority baggage drop-off;
Priority boarding.


Passengers in First/Business & Elite Plus members are also eligible for:

Priority security & passport control;
Priority at ticket office.


At AMS FB Silver Elite members can also benefit from these benefits (priority security, passport control & ticket office.

From a Dutch DL Silver based in the US who travels now and then through AMS (3 times the last 3 months), this is my personal experience and my take on this:

As a DL Silver I get at Delta, and also Skyteam Elite members get this:
- Priority check in
- Priority boarding AFTER Skyteam Elite Plus members
- Extra free luggage allowance
- Slim chance on US domestic complementary upgrades

At DL hub airports like JFK and ATL priority check in is at dedicated Silver / Skyteam elite desks, separate from SkyPriority desks. At non-hub DL airports these two separate check-ins are lumped into one and silvers can check in at the SkyPriority desk. I have never been refused priority check in anywhere in the US or abroad on DL or KL as a DL silver. So I don't think FB silvers have anything to fear here.

What I do not get at DL:
- Priority luggage handling (but sometimes agents do it anyway)
- Priority security lines (but on non-DL hub airports with non-DL personnel they sometimes direct you to the priority line anyway)

Skyteam Elite members get on any Skyteam airline:
- Priority check-in
- Priority boarding

And this is much more than Star Alliance "silvers" get, and a reason for me to stick with Skyteam (DL and KL) with my flying that consistently keeps me on the Silver level. There has been a lot of complaining on the DL board about lost benefits for DL silvers but I'm fine with mine.

Now every Skyteam airline is free to give extra benefits to their own elites, and to Skyteam elites from their other partners. Example: Skyteam elites receive complimentary domestic US upgrades on DL after DL elites have been accommodated. So KL is free to continue to offer priority security to FB silvers. The fact that they will continue to offer that at AMS for FB silvers (as per Gajan's post, thank you for that!) is huge, as this is a great benefit. So in that regard I don't think FB silvers stand to lose much with Sky Priority. The only benefit they might lose is priority luggage handling (if that was even offered before?).

And in any case, on other airports than AMS, with non-KL unknowing personnel, just as is the case on non-hub DL airports in my experience, a FB silver still might get priority security and luggage handling as well.

I personally enjoyed very much priority security at AMS as a Skyteam Elite, especially at flights to the US where there are always long lines for the gate to go through security into the holding pen. (It's less the case at passport control or passport-security if you arrive from a non-Schengen flight and transferring to a Schengen flight, the regular lines are mostly not that long anyway.) I did notice though that priority boarding out of the holding pen is hit and miss, and priorities are sometimes not enforced.

I just hope that at AMS priority security will also be offered to Skyteam Elites (DL silvers) as well. My expectation is that it will, especially if you fly on KL as it will show "Elite" on your KL boarding pass and security agents won't know the difference probably. But no doubt I will find out the next time I travel through AMS.

If after Sky Priority is introduced at AMS and Skyteam Elites are refused at priority security and passport control, please post this in this thread. I will be watching.

From a Dutch DL Silver based in the US who travels now and then through AMS (3 times the last 3 months), this is my personal experience and my take on this:

As a DL Silver I get at Delta, and also Skyteam Elite members get this:
- Priority check in
- Priority boarding AFTER Skyteam Elite Plus members
- Extra free luggage allowance
- Slim chance on US domestic complementary upgrades

At DL hub airports like JFK and ATL priority check in is at dedicated Silver / Skyteam elite desks, separate from SkyPriority desks. At non-hub DL airports these two separate check-ins are lumped into one and silvers can check in at the SkyPriority desk. I have never been refused priority check in anywhere in the US or abroad on DL or KL as a DL silver. So I don't think FB silvers have anything to fear here.

What I do not get at DL:
- Priority luggage handling (but sometimes agents do it anyway)
- Priority security lines (but on non-DL hub airports with non-DL personnel they sometimes direct you to the priority line anyway)

Skyteam Elite members get on any Skyteam airline:
- Priority check-in
- Priority boarding

And this is much more than Star Alliance "silvers" get, and a reason for me to stick with Skyteam (DL and KL) with my flying that consistently keeps me on the Silver level. There has been a lot of complaining on the DL board about lost benefits for DL silvers but I'm fine with mine.

Now every Skyteam airline is free to give extra benefits to their own elites, and to Skyteam elites from their other partners. Example: Skyteam elites receive complimentary domestic US upgrades on DL after DL elites have been accommodated. So KL is free to continue to offer priority security to FB silvers. The fact that they will continue to offer that at AMS for FB silvers (as per Gajan's post, thank you for that!) is huge, as this is a great benefit. So in that regard I don't think FB silvers stand to lose much with Sky Priority. The only benefit they might lose is priority luggage handling (if that was even offered before?).

And in any case, on other airports than AMS, with non-KL unknowing personnel, just as is the case on non-hub DL airports in my experience, a FB silver still might get priority security and luggage handling as well.

I personally enjoyed very much priority security at AMS as a Skyteam Elite, especially at flights to the US where there are always long lines for the gate to go through security into the holding pen. (It's less the case at passport control or passport-security if you arrive from a non-Schengen flight and transferring to a Schengen flight, the regular lines are mostly not that long anyway.) I did notice though that priority boarding out of the holding pen is hit and miss, and priorities are sometimes not enforced.

I just hope that at AMS priority security will also be offered to Skyteam Elites (DL silvers) as well. My expectation is that it will, especially if you fly on KL as it will show "Elite" on your KL boarding pass and security agents won't know the difference probably. But no doubt I will find out the next time I travel through AMS.

If after Sky Priority is introduced at AMS and Skyteam Elites are refused at priority security and passport control, please post this in this thread. I will be watching.

Good post, I think it sums it up pretty well.

So in that regard I don't think FB silvers stand to lose much with Sky Priority. The only benefit they might lose is priority luggage handling (if that was even offered before?).


FB Silvers only used to get priority luggage on AF/KL operated flights.

From a Dutch DL Silver based in the US who travels now and then through AMS (3 times the last 3 months), this is my personal experience and my take on this:

As a DL Silver I get at Delta, and also Skyteam Elite members get this:
- Priority check in
- Priority boarding AFTER Skyteam Elite Plus members
- Extra free luggage allowance
- Slim chance on US domestic complementary upgrades

At DL hub airports like JFK and ATL priority check in is at dedicated Silver / Skyteam elite desks, separate from SkyPriority desks. At non-hub DL airports these two separate check-ins are lumped into one and silvers can check in at the SkyPriority desk. I have never been refused priority check in anywhere in the US or abroad on DL or KL as a DL silver. So I don't think FB silvers have anything to fear here.

What I do not get at DL:
- Priority luggage handling (but sometimes agents do it anyway)
- Priority security lines (but on non-DL hub airports with non-DL personnel they sometimes direct you to the priority line anyway)

Skyteam Elite members get on any Skyteam airline:
- Priority check-in
- Priority boarding

And this is much more than Star Alliance "silvers" get, and a reason for me to stick with Skyteam (DL and KL) with my flying that consistently keeps me on the Silver level. There has been a lot of complaining on the DL board about lost benefits for DL silvers but I'm fine with mine.

Now every Skyteam airline is free to give extra benefits to their own elites, and to Skyteam elites from their other partners. Example: Skyteam elites receive complimentary domestic US upgrades on DL after DL elites have been accommodated. So KL is free to continue to offer priority security to FB silvers. The fact that they will continue to offer that at AMS for FB silvers (as per Gajan's post, thank you for that!) is huge, as this is a great benefit. So in that regard I don't think FB silvers stand to lose much with Sky Priority. The only benefit they might lose is priority luggage handling (if that was even offered before?).

And in any case, on other airports than AMS, with non-KL unknowing personnel, just as is the case on non-hub DL airports in my experience, a FB silver still might get priority security and luggage handling as well.

I personally enjoyed very much priority security at AMS as a Skyteam Elite, especially at flights to the US where there are always long lines for the gate to go through security into the holding pen. (It's less the case at passport control or passport-security if you arrive from a non-Schengen flight and transferring to a Schengen flight, the regular lines are mostly not that long anyway.) I did notice though that priority boarding out of the holding pen is hit and miss, and priorities are sometimes not enforced.

I just hope that at AMS priority security will also be offered to Skyteam Elites (DL silvers) as well. My expectation is that it will, especially if you fly on KL as it will show "Elite" on your KL boarding pass and security agents won't know the difference probably. But no doubt I will find out the next time I travel through AMS.

If after Sky Priority is introduced at AMS and Skyteam Elites are refused at priority security and passport control, please post this in this thread. I will be watching.

Great post! ^

FYI, on your BP it is written "Flying Blue Silver Elite" not just "Elite".

I was at Schiphol 2 weeks ago and the Sky Priority check-in is being build is across from the ticket counters.

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg141/scaled.php?server=141&filename=imageazv.jpg&res=medium


OMG (gushing) .... if only the rest of the world would catch up ! ;)

Boarding area and the process itself is a complete zoo in most places.
Should have taken pics of my frequent boarding rituals at i.e. CPT or JNB for that matter.
ElitePlus ? (if it's shown at all on BP) .... and agent will look like this :confused: :rolleyes:

Just last week had one of the rudest of all encounters at the JNB check-in desk for my KL flights.
And to make matters worse, EC seats selected for ElitePlus seem to mysteriously disappear from systems 48-24 hrs before departure and KLM will have put you automatically in the middle seat far in the back it seems. :eek:

Quite frankly the particular area depicted and the neighbouring baggage drop-off counter area are a big zoo during busy periods. So much so that it can be difficult for passengers to get to Departures 3 from 2 (or vice versa).

And here's the email that has just been sent to FB Golds and Plats (or at least to some of them...)

Dear XXXX,

Making it easier to find your way

AIR FRANCE and KLM, together with all SkyTeam airlines, are pleased to present SkyPriority – an aligned offering that covers all priority airport services. With this launch, SkyTeam is the first global airline alliance to consistently deliver these priority services to passengers on a worldwide scale.

The SkyPriority service will be distinctively branded at airports worldwide, making it easy for you to find your way and enjoy greater convenience. Branding will also be displayed on your boarding pass, ensuring you are readily recognised throughout your journey.

Simply follow the signs with the red SkyPriority label
>From boarding to take-off and through to your final destination, SkyPriority provides greater recognition and convenience. Simply follow the signs with the special red label to enjoy:

• Priority check-in
• Priority baggage drop-off
• Priority at immigration and security
• Priority service at ticket offices and transfer desks
• Priority boarding

To find out more, please visit www.flyingbluenews.com

Gradual rollout as of March 2012
Scheduled to gradually rollout as of March 2012, SkyPriority will be launched at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Paris-Orly and the AIR FRANCE and KLM French stations. In the following months, the service will be introduced at other AIR FRANCE and KLM stations. By early 2013, SkyPriority will be visible at over 1,000 airports worldwide.


Interestingly:

It does say that "SkyPriority" will be marked on boarding cards
It says "Priority at immigration and security" without mentioning any restrictions (hopefully this means that E+ in Y at locations such as LHR/T4 will get priority through security again...)
It mentions priority baggage drop-off, but doesn't say anything about priority tags for baggage delivery on arrrival...

It says "Priority at immigration and security" without mentioning any restrictions (hopefully this means that E+ in Y at locations such as LHR/T4 will get priority through security again...)
[/LIST]

On last weeks flight from LHR to AMS this was printed on the boarding pass:

Op luchthaven London Heathrow, Terminal 4, kunnen Economy Class-passagiers voor vluchten van KLM en SkyTeam-partners inchecken bij zone F. Voor Business Class-passagiers en SkyTeam Elite- en Elite Plus-kaarthouders is zone H gereserveerd voor het inchecken.
Op vertoon van uw boarding pass is het nu ook voor KLM Europe Business Class passagiers mogelijk om voor vertrek bij de veiligheidscontrole gebruik te maken van de "fast lane".

The published benefit is only that Business passengers can use the fast lane at T4 LHR.
That said, when passing through in December they let me in while I was travelling in Y (FB PE status though).

To be honest, since BA left T4 queues for security have not been to bad IMHO so the added benefit may not be that significant (unless my flights have been outside the busy period;))

New e-mail just in:

"Ons eerdere bericht had niet verzonden mogen worden

Geachte heer REBEL,

De e-mail met onderwerp SkyPriority verwelkomt Flying Blue Silver-deelnemers bij een deel van de service die u op 18/03/2012 van ons hebt ontvangen is ten onrechte naar u verzonden. We bieden u hiervoor onze verontschuldigingen aan en hopen dat het bericht niet voor verwarring of enig ongemak heeft gezorgd.

We zullen er in de toekomst naar blijven streven om uw vertrouwen in Flying Blue te behouden.

We hopen u snel weer aan boord te mogen verwelkomen."

Synopsis: Mistake, mistake. Sorry, sorry.

Apologies accepted.

Johan

To be honest, since BA left T4 queues for security have not been to bad IMHO so the added benefit may not be that significant (unless my flights have been outside the busy period;))

I would generally agree with you, but I nearly missed a flight a few months ago, when I spent a long time in the landside cafe, thinking I could get through the 'normal' security line quickly - only to discover there was a massive queue (mainly of holidaymakers, who weren't used to airport security procedures at all, which made it all even slower...)

More to the point, if they're going to give fast-track immigration/security at some airports to F/J passengers, but not to E+ in Y, it seems to undermine the aim of SkyPriority to "consistently deliver priority services to premium passengers"... (Which is a shame, because generally I think SkyPriority is a good concept, and I also appreciate SkyTeam's efforts to harmonise such things across the alliance).

Which is a shame, because generally I think SkyPriority is a good concept, and I also appreciate SkyTeam's efforts to harmonise such things across the alliance).I fully agree.

Got the correct e-mail too now.

Speaking of e-mails, I received an OLCI e-mail yesterday, which ended up at the very bottom of my KLM folder because it was dated January 1, 1970, 1 a.m. :D

Johan

I would generally agree with you, but I nearly missed a flight a few months ago, when I spent a long time in the landside cafe, thinking I could get through the 'normal' security line quickly - only to discover there was a massive queue (mainly of holidaymakers, who weren't used to airport security procedures at all, which made it all even slower...)

More to the point, if they're going to give fast-track immigration/security at some airports to F/J passengers, but not to E+ in Y, it seems to undermine the aim of SkyPriority to "consistently deliver priority services to premium passengers"... (Which is a shame, because generally I think SkyPriority is a good concept, and I also appreciate SkyTeam's efforts to harmonise such things across the alliance).
Do not expect priority security or immigration at LHR. It seems BAA charges so much for these services that the ST carriers are unwilling to pay for them for anyone other than business class passengers (and even there, the EU ST carriers won't pay for priority immigration clearance on the basis that most of their passengers can go through the EU queue).

It has been reported that simply telling the queue minder at security that you're flying first/business class will get you through FastTrack there, however.

Great post! ^

FYI, on your BP it is written "Flying Blue Silver Elite" not just "Elite".

Thanks for the compliment! I actually saw the article about KL introducing Sky Priority in the Herald inflight magazine, and was wondering what that meant for FB and DL silvers, and specifically for priority security at AMS. So that is why I ended up here on the KL board :). I'm glad Silvers get to keep priority security at AMS. Otherwise I'm not sure if I would want to fly through AMS any more.

By the way: I'm not a FB but a DL Silver. I think my KL OLCI BP showed "DL Silver Medallion / Skyteam Elite". When I then got myself a different seat at one of the AMS self-service machines the new BP just showed "Elite". Also when I checked in 3 months ago in BRU at the airport check-in for a KL operated flight my BP just said "Elite".

In any case I don't care what is on my BP, as long as I get my benefits :cool:.

New e-mail just in:

"[COLOR="Blue"]Ons eerdere bericht had niet verzonden mogen worden



I received this e-mail too. Would be good if FB got their e-mails in order. It is somewhat frustrating that they seem to make similar mistakes quite often.:td:

I received this e-mail too. Would be good if FB got their e-mails in order. It is somewhat frustrating that they seem to make similar mistakes quite often.:td:

+1 No proper QC procedures in place imho.

It is somewhat frustrating that they seem to make similar mistakes quite often.:td:

Embarrassingly Clumsy at best springs to mind ;)

I received this e-mail too. Would be good if FB got their e-mails in order. It is somewhat frustrating that they seem to make similar mistakes quite often.:td:

Same here and then they send me this aimed at Silvers:


KLM, AIR FRANCE en alle SkyTeam-airlines introduceren SkyPriority, een nieuw label dat alle priority services op de luchthavens bundelt. Met de lancering van deze service is SkyTeam de eerste mondiale alliantie die deze services wereldwijd als samenwerkende partner-airlines aan passagiers aanbiedt.

SkyPriority is ontworpen voor Flying Blue Gold- en Platinum-deelnemers en voor passagiers in First en Business Class. De gezamenlijke service zorgt voor betere herkenbaarheid en een consistent serviceniveau voor reizen met alle SkyTeam-partners.

Sky Priority

Als Flying Blue Silver Elite-deelnemer bent u ook welkom om gebruik te maken van een aantal SkyPriority-services. Volg simpelweg de borden met het speciale rode SkyPriority-label om te profiteren van uw Silver Elite- voordelen, zoals:
• voorrang bij het inchecken
• voorrang bij de bagage drop-off
• voorrang bij het aan boord gaan

De overige SkyPriority-services zijn gereserveerd voor Flying Blue Elite Plus-deelnemers en passagiers in First en Business Class:
• voorrang bij de douane en de security check
• voorrang bij de ticketbalie en de transferbalie

Op Amsterdam Airport Schiphol kunnen Flying Blue Silver Elite-deelnemers echter wel gebruik maken van deze services.

Upgrading

Geleidelijke invoering vanaf maart 2012
SkyPriority zal vanaf maart 2012 geleidelijk ingevoerd worden op Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, Parijs-Charles de Gaulle, Parijs-Orly en de Franse locaties van KLM en AIR FRANCE. Gedurende de rest van het jaar wordt de service ook op andere locaties van KLM en AIR FRANCE geïntroduceerd, zodat SkyPriority vanaf 2013 op meer dan 1.000 luchthavens ter wereld duidelijk aanwezig is.

So for Silvers, why the extra benefits at AMS and not CDG?

It is somewhat frustrating that they seem to make similar mistakes quite often.:td:

Embarrassingly Clumsy at best springs to mind

Hey, at least they corrected their mistake within 24 hours.

In the past few days, BA have sent me two e-mails.

1. The latest issue of The Club magazine. Despite being asked to select both language and location, I was then linked to an article extolling the many ways of earning miles, but only if I was resident in the UK or the US.

2. An e-mail announcing a fantastic sale. When I clicked on the link (book before April 10), I got a message saying the sale had ended.

I do not really expect BA to correct either mistake.

Johan

I understood from alot mer the posts in this thread that ST elites are not given extra baggage on delta and ST airlines, to the best of my knowledge and this link confirming, it is wrong, we do get. And also why is baggage allowance not mentioned at all in the skypriority silver email update? Can anyone clarify please?
http://www.skyteam.com/en/About-us/Press/News/2011/SkyTeam-Aligns-Extra-Baggage-Allowance-for-Elite-Members/

I understood from alot mer the posts in this thread that ST elites are not given extra baggage on delta and ST airlines, to the best of my knowledge and this link confirming, it is wrong, we do get. And also why is baggage allowance not mentioned at all in the skypriority silver email update? Can anyone clarify please?
http://www.skyteam.com/en/About-us/Press/News/2011/SkyTeam-Aligns-Extra-Baggage-Allowance-for-Elite-Members/

Extra baggage allowance for Skyteam Elite (Plus) members was introduced a few months ago.

Why they did not state this earlier? My guess is that the SkyPriority benefits relate to benefits at the airport and not the benefits "on the flight".

Extra baggage allowance for Skyteam Elite (Plus) members was introduced a few months ago.

Why they did not state this earlier? My guess is that the SkyPriority benefits relate to benefits at the airport and not the benefits "on the flight".

Thanks, why do you write elite "(plus)"? Silver = elite, also gets this benefit, as per above.

Does anyone know when the start date is for the Sky Priority for Amsterdam Schiphol?
Sincerely,
SB

Does anyone know when the start date is for the Sky Priority for Amsterdam Schiphol?
Sincerely,
SB

I believe it will be introduced from March, see my photo on the previous page. No exact date as yet (known to us).

I believe it will be introduced from March, see my photo on the previous page. Still looked exactly as in the picture two days ago.

"Coming soon in March"

But which March?

Johan

Still looked exactly as in the picture two days ago.

"Coming soon in March"

But which March?

Johan

2012, as per their information that is:p

March is going to end in less than 9 days.... Maybe it is an April fools joke :P!
SB

Flying Blue news (http://flyingbluenews.com/news/1098/SkyPriority_a_new_airport_experience_for_our_most_ valued_customers_.html) states "as of end of March 2012", so not long to wait ;)

I'm in transit through AMS in early April, so hopefully I might be one of the first to experience it :p

Thanks, why do you write elite "(plus)"? Silver = elite, also gets this benefit, as per above.

Because the extra luggage allowance is for Elite and Elite Plus members, i.e. Elite (Plus) members.

This month's Holland Herald has an article on the introduction, which specifically mentions Platinum and Gold elites. Not a word about Silver elites.

Johan

Still not received that email. It is that others have posted it here...
:td: for FB

Was reading the AF mag, where there was a nice photo of what the Skypriority area looked like. The sign clearly said 'Flying Blue Plat/G/Silver' but didn't say FB Elite Plus.

I also had no issues with any security with my companion who is a Silver with elite access lines in both CDG and AMS. Naturally, the elite line at Schiphol was better managed and actually was a benefit, unlike the one at CDG :) I can't see why they want to change anything at Schiphol - I always arrive around 45 minutes before my flight, check-in, get a sandwich downstairs, and fly. It's perfect and there's never a line really. I guess too much DL pressure.......

Still not received that email. It is that others have posted it here...
:td: for FB

Received on March 16th:

SKY PRIORITY, MEET OUR PARTNERS

You can now begin to enjoy Sky Priority services on our SkyTeam partners.


Hello xxxxxxxx

New perks are landing on our SkyTeam® airline partners.*

Beginning this month, the Sky Priority® suite of services that you currently enjoy on Delta are now becoming available on Alitalia, Air France-KLM, China Airlines and Korean Air.

The expansion of Sky Priority means that you and SkyTeam Elite Plus members, as well as First and Business Class customers, will start to experience premium airport services when flying on SkyTeam airlines.

Sky Priority services will roll out to our other SkyTeam airline partners and more than 800 airports over the next several months. And by early 2013, these services will be available at more than 1,000 airports around the globe.

So on your next Delta or SkyTeam flight, look for Sky Priority signs that will start to appear at select SkyTeam airports to take advantage of the following priority services to help speed you through the airport, and then around the world.



Check-in
Baggage drop-off, handling and delivery
Security lines (where available)
Boarding
Service at airport ticket offices and transfer desks


Visit delta.com/skypriority for more information and the latest updates. We hope to see you onboard a Delta or SkyTeam flight soon.

*The 15-member SkyTeam® global alliance includes the following airlines: Aeroflot, Aeromexico, Air Europa, Air France, Alitalia, China Airlines, China Eastern, China Southern, Czech Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Kenya Airways, KLM, Korean Air, TAROM and Vietnam Airlines.

Still not received that email. It is that others have posted it here...
:td: for FB

Perhaps Silvers won't get the email, given that they are not *strictly* entitled to SkyTeam-wide SkyPriority.

Perhaps Silvers won't get the email, given that they are not *strictly* entitled to SkyTeam-wide SkyPriority.

I was talking about 'the Silver mail' posted by Johan Rebel:

From and e-mail received today:

"Als Flying Blue Silver Elite-deelnemer bent u ook welkom om gebruik te maken van een aantal SkyPriority-services. Volg simpelweg de borden met het speciale rode SkyPriority-label om te profiteren van uw Silver Elite-voordelen, zoals:

• voorrang bij het inchecken

• voorrang bij de bagage drop-off

• voorrang bij het aan boord gaan

De overige SkyPriority-services zijn gereserveerd voor Flying Blue Elite Plus-deelnemers en passagiers in First en Business Class:

• voorrang bij de douane en de security check

• voorrang bij de ticketbalie en de transferbalie

Op Amsterdam Airport Schiphol kunnen Flying Blue Silver Elite-deelnemers echter wel gebruik maken van deze services. "

So, SE gets priorty check-in, bag drop and boarding. At AMS they also get priorty at ticket/transfer desks, security and customs.

I'm not sure why they keep going on about priority at customs. There is no such thing for anybody.

They may also wish to ask themselves why they sent me this e-mail, "als Flying Blue Silver Elite-deelnemer" Last time I checked, I was still LTPE.

Johan

I came across this KLM SkyPriority sign:

http://i1055.photobucket.com/albums/s515/win1290/Amsterdam%20Trip%20March%202012/DSCN2486.jpg

Taken at AMS. You are indeed directed to the front of the queue. Wonder what would be defined as premium class?

Credit to win1290 of airliners.net, I do not own that photo nor have explicit permission to use it.

Wonder what would be defined as premium class?That is probably intended to encourage hordes of Economy Comfort pax to elbow their way to the front :D

Apart from using red instead of blue, it the sign looks just like the previous priority boarding ones, which the gate agents were so good at hiding or turning around. Also, it doesn't say Sky Priority anywhere, so it may perhaps be an old one?

Johan

Im flying with my family of 4, only I am elite plus member, will they allow for priority for all the family ?

Im flying with my family of 4, only I am elite plus member, will they allow for priority for all the family ?

Mostly yes. Only at security you could have some issues.

That is probably intended to encourage hordes of Economy Comfort pax to elbow their way to the front :D

Apart from using red instead of blue, it the sign looks just like the previous priority boarding ones, which the gate agents were so good at hiding or turning around. Also, it doesn't say Sky Priority anywhere, so it may perhaps be an old one?

Johan

I think the red rectangular should represent the SP concept.

I came across this KLM SkyPriority sign:

Taken at AMS. You are indeed directed to the front of the queue. Wonder what would be defined as premium class?

Credit to win1290 of airliners.net, I do not own that photo nor have explicit permission to use it.

That exact same sign is used for quite some time at (some?) outstations :) I was looking at one at ATH two weeks or so ago, as I was bored out of my mind waiting for boarding to start :P

That exact same sign is used for quite some time at (some?) outstations :) I was looking at one at ATH two weeks or so ago, as I was bored out of my mind waiting for boarding to start :P

Hmm I've only encountered blue signs so with the red and the same font, I thought it would be SP.

I walked past the check-in desks at CPH last month, and noticed that there were two kinds: Elite/J and Bag Drop. The signs looked homemade, with the Bag Drop one stating that it was only for pax in possession of a "bording-card" (sic). I assume that the idea is that non-Elites without a boarding card have to use the self-service machine to print one first, before they can drop their bags?

Johan

I walked past the check-in desks at CPH last month, and noticed that there were two kinds: Elite/J and Bag Drop. The signs looked homemade, with the Bag Drop one stating that it was only for pax in possession of a "bording-card" (sic). I assume that the idea is that non-Elites without a boarding card have to use the self-service machine to print one first, before they can drop their bags?

Johan

That has been my experience at outstations sometimes as well. They will insist you use the machine to get your boarding pass (even if you are an Elite member). Not sure if this is policy or it was just a grumpy agent.

They will insist you use the machine to get your boarding pass (even if you are an Elite member). Not sure if this is policy or it was just a grumpy agent.

Never had this happening to me yet. And the biz counters usually say Check-In.

Maybe a grumpy agent.

My BP for tomorrow now shows the SkyPriority logo :) Status is indicated as "Frequent flyer KLxxxxxxxxxxx/G G" ....which will probably confuse people.

I was at Schiphol today and saw that most of the rebranding to SkyPriority is already done. For regular Economy check-in more and more is done via self-service, only two full-service check-in counters were in use and only a handful luggage drop-off counters, the rest was done by luggage drop-off machines (which work quite well actually).

What surprised me though was that when my friend asked to sit a bit more in the front of the plane the check-in agent said it can only be done via the machine and with additional payment. Upon checking the machine it turns out that for the flight to MUC the seats in row 10 (exit row) and rows 4-9 (normal economy) were only available for a premium of 20 euro. Rows 11 to 20 something were for normal economy passengers. I read something about KLMs idea to add a European Comfort Class but didn't know it was already so that economy passengers without status cannot sit in the front without additional payment.

I made silver somewhere last year but even before that I hardly ever had trouble getting a seat on row 4-9 when I flew in Y, while my friend has no status and said she's never able to sit row 4-9 even when checking in 30 hours in advance online....

Another thing I noticed today which worries me a little bit is the change at Shengen security, normally Privium had its own private lane with hardly ever a cue. Today I saw that below Privium the new SkyPriority text was added, meaning in the future Privium and SkyPriority are allowed to use the same lane and that will most likely increase waiting time for Privium holders like me...

Today there were various press releases and announcement from KLM and the media on SP at AMS so I think today it 'really' started.

Don't like that idea of paying €20 for just a seat to the front! On a E99 ticket, for me that would be ridiculous.

Today I saw that below Privium the new SkyPriority text was added, meaning in the future Privium and SkyPriority are allowed to use the same lane and that will most likely increase waiting time for Privium holders like me...How exactly does that work? To get access to the Privium lane you need to insert your card and go through the turnstile, which is very effective at keeping everyone else out. Or has that changed?

I'm certainly not going to keep paying for Privium if I get the same thing for free with SkyPriority.

Johan

Today I saw that below Privium the new SkyPriority text was added, meaning in the future Privium and SkyPriority are allowed to use the same lane and that will most likely increase waiting time for Privium holders like me...

I tend to think this is temporary due to the construction works in the original Privium lane to the left.

Don't like that idea of paying €20 for just a seat to the front! On a E99 ticket, for me that would be ridiculous.

Sounds like that is just for passengers without FB status (hopefully :confused:)

Good to see KL seemed to have met their deadline for rolling out SP at AMS by the end of March:D

How exactly does that work? To get access to the Privium lane you need to insert your card and go through the turnstile, which is very effective at keeping everyone else out. Or has that changed?

I'm certainly not going to keep paying for Privium if I get the same thing for free with SkyPriority.

Johan

I just received this:

In Vertrekhal 1 wordt de Privium doorgang met bijbehorende securitycheck verplaatst. Hiervoor vinden er werkzaamheden plaats van 19 maart tot 23 april. Na de aanpassingen bevinden de Privium doorgang en securitycheck zich direct naast de liften van de Privium Clublounge. In plaats van de huidige wand wordt de Privium doorgang afgeschermd door een glazen wand. Daarnaast is het in de nieuwe situatie mogelijk direct vanuit de Privium Clublounge, via de lift, de Privium doorgang en securitycheck te bereiken.

The Privium Shengen access will be moved closer to the access of the lounge and it seems that the old Privium security will be dedicated to new SkyPriority lanes. In the future the Shengen Privium security can be accessed directly from the lounge ^

I will be at Schiphol again tomorrow but doubt it will be ready yet, I hope the new Privium security will be ready for my next flight in April.

New album on Skyteam Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150680394593393.404906.227713703392&type=1) page.

It would appear the SkyPriority desks are at the old place at Schiphol.

No SkyPriority signs in Shanghai as per yesterday, at least not by the checkin. The Lounge is actually past the gate, right next to the boarding at gate 18 so didn't look to carefully there but just went to the lounge.

The following info received from Privium

"The Privium entryway and security check in Departure Hall 1 are being relocated. The relocation work will be carried out from 19 March to 23 April. After the relocation, the Privium entryway and security check will be located directly adjacent to the lifts leading to the Privium ClubLounge.

The current dividing wall of the Privium entryway will be replaced by a glass wall. The new situation will enable Privium members to access the Privium entryway and security check directly from the Privium ClubLounge via the lift.

You can continue using the Privium entryway and security check while the work is being carried out. There may be some inconvenience on account of the noise, however, and the lifts to the Privium ClubLounge will be out of order. Thank you for your understanding. The work will be carried out as much as possible outside of peak hours in order to limit any inconvenience.
"

and

"A new development in border passage is being launched at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. Self-Service Passport Control is introduced at two locations (Departure and Arrival Hall 3) on 27 March. A third location, between Lounges 1 and 2, will follow at a later stage. Self-Service Passport Control makes use of e-gates, enabling automatic border passage.

Travellers from age 18 with an electronic passport (a passport provided with a chip carrying biometric information) from the European Union, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland will be able to pass through these new e-gates using automatic border passage based on face recognition. "

Johan

I'm tempted to think the latter will cannibalise Privium Basic to some extent since it basically offers almost the same service (except arrival border crossing and business check-in with selected airlines).

I'm tempted to think the latter will cannibalise Privium Basic to some extent since it basically offers almost the same service It also poses a threat to Privium Plus in some isntances.

As a top tier elite in several alliances I already get business check-in (which I do not use as I OLCI and travel with hand luggage only), lounge access and priority security lanes. Since I do not live in the Netherlands I have no use for the Privium parking facilities. My current passport is not biometric, but when I do get one the only extra Privium will still offer is a better lounge. At €200 a year, it will require frequent lounge visits to justify the expense.

Johan

Damn only >18. I like the idea of automatic border control.

Sounds like that is just for passengers without FB status (hopefully :confused:)

Good to see KL seemed to have met their deadline for rolling out SP at AMS by the end of March:D

Last week I asked at the desk at AMS for them to change the seat, the lady said that I was already checked in at a paid seat, and if I was really sure I wanted to move? I was seated at 8D or so on the B738. So I guess these seats are now indeed paid for non-status holders. Are Silvers able to select them?

Hmm I've only encountered blue signs so with the red and the same font, I thought it would be SP.
You got me doubting, but I verified at ATH today that it is indeed red. And used to be I guess, as SP is not yet in effect there.

I was seated at 8D or so on the B738. So I guess these seats are now indeed paid for non-status holders. Are Silvers able to select them?

I was in 3A on a B737 (as in 737-700) this past weekend and didn't have to pay. I was able to check in and select that seat online.

Last week I asked at the desk at AMS for them to change the seat, the lady said that I was already checked in at a paid seat, and if I was really sure I wanted to move? I was seated at 8D or so on the B738. So I guess these seats are now indeed paid for non-status holders. Are Silvers able to select them?

My experience as a Silver is that the front seats are always available for me at no additional cost, flying tonight and when I checked in I was already seated in 3A.

Hi!
I just checked in on my flight from Oslo to Amsterdam, and the Sky Priority (SP) logo was stamped on my boarding pass? That means Oslo Gardermoen Airport has implemented SP from now on also, and being one of the first in the world. One of the advantages is also Accelerated security and passport clearance, but Fast Track in Oslo has not been opened yet for Sky Team airlines...
Personally, I dont see a big difference with the start of SP. It is like they took all the old names... Priority boarding, Business check-in desk away and replaced it with this new red logo. Nothing else has really significantly changed... More like a commerical advertisment than anything to be honest....

SB

Flew yesterday within the Schengen region. The Terminal 1 Sky Priority lane is the same as before; just they have smashed down the wall side it, presumably to build a new Priority lane for later... Priority boarding was not implemented, same routine as before. Only difference, a big red logo with 'Sky Priority' was placed there...

SB

Flew yesterday within the Schengen region. The Terminal 1 Sky Priority lane is the same as before; just they have smashed down the wall side it, presumably to build a new Priority lane for later... Priority boarding was not implemented, same routine as before. Only difference, a big red logo with 'Sky Priority' was placed there...

SB

Priority boarding really depends on the gate agents, my flight Wednesday the gate agents instructed that the priority boarding lane was only for elites and business class passengers. If they don't mention that usually all economy class passengers use it as if the sign isn't there. This was gate B28.

As of February 13th/14th, it wasn't working.

My BP had my status printed on it. First ones to board were Business Class pax, then Business class and elite, But I was stopped when I tried to board with the second round of boarding. Clearly, the GA

Could not read
or
chose to read my face instead of the BP

Priority boarding really depends on the gate agents.And that's exactly the problem. You can have all the policies and fancy signs you want, but if the gate agents prefer to ignore both for their own convenience it will never work. At AMS priority boarding has existed for years, but mostly in theory and only rarely in practice.

If Sky Priority is to become a success, this weak point needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency.

Johan

And that's exactly the problem. You can have all the policies and fancy signs you want, but if the gate agents prefer to ignore both for their own convenience it will never work. At AMS priority boarding has existed for years, but mostly in theory and only rarely in practice.

If Sky Priority is to become a success, this weak point needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency.

Johan

Totally agree ;)

For my flight to DUS (from CDG), there was not even Priority lane for boarding...

Seems they are off to a good start!

What's the point of offering a service if you can't get your staff to do their jobs and properly implement it?

Johan

Keep in mind that the design of the boarding pass (including Skypriority logo) is not arranged from the outstation. When SP went into effect the logo appeared on _all_ boarding passes, in all locations, regardless of if they have or not yet have implemented SP.

Of course the whole SP concept already existed. The idea behind is to make the experience the same everywhere. So the little things that were 'off' at some outstations should be made uniform like it is at the main hubs.

Sky Priority does not exist in Oslo. The security passage is not open for Sky Team. The business check-in line is still called business check-in and the priority boarding is still called priority boarding. Although this is being said, the ground crew at Oslo implements priority boarding very strictly! Great job ^

SB

So I guess these seats are now indeed paid for non-status holders. Are Silvers able to select them?Just OLCI'd for a CPH flight. Only the emergency row seats were offered at a premium.

Johan

Just OLCI'd for a CPH flight. Only the emergency row seats were offered at a premium.

Johan

My KLM contact has informed me that EC short-haul is still in the study phase so I presume the check-in agent must have been referring to a emergency exit seat / was mistaken.

Checking in relatives this morning, some (PE) could see and choose from all Y rows ie 4 to 22, others (no status) could only choose from rows 9 and further. They could see rows 4-8 but no seats to select.

Exit rows available for free (PE) or the usual charge (no status).

Checking in relatives this morning, some (PE) could see and choose from all Y rows ie 4 to 22, others (no status) could only choose from rows 9 and further. They could see rows 4-8 but no seats to select.

Exit rows available for free (PE) or the usual charge (no status).

The fact that no status members or Ivory can not always choose seats in the front of ECO is nothing new right? I saw this 2 years already when I tried to OLCI for myself first and then for somebody with Plat, which could choose from multiple seats up front...

As of February 13th/14th, it wasn't working.

My BP had my status printed on it. First ones to board were Business Class pax, then Business class and elite, But I was stopped when I tried to board with the second round of boarding. Clearly, the GA

Could not read
or
chose to read my face instead of the BP


Ha ! ... this seems to happen occasionally to me too.
After initiating the Priority Boarding approach and actually implementing a long time ago - smoothing the process along the way - we're apparently still just the DL/Skyteam midgets ;)
Am currently across the pond after several KL legs and I just breeze past them, waiving my DL Diamond Elite pass.
On another note ... miraculously all selected EC seats were intact before boarding.
Hopefully some positive developments here, but don't hold my breath yet.

This was with AF and not KLM, but I guess being a Sky Priority topic I'd post it here:

NRT-CDG flight on Friday - Sky Priority sign at the gate and it was enforced by staff when people started queuing up.

CDG-GVA flight (2F). Nothing about priority boarding, screen showed 19-29 to board first but no one gave a toss... Very chaotic in deed and a bit of a dreadful experience really :td:

So indeed SkyTeam introduced SkyPriority as an alliance wide project. It started off in Amsterdam on March 26. In the next year about 1,000 airports will be changed with the SP service. This means that you might not see SP services such as priority lane access at security in your airport yet. This needs time..

In AMS all SP passengers will receive a BP with a SP logo on it. You're able to use special check in/drop off counters, fast track with security and priority boarding at the gate. Special message for those Silvers out there: You'll be able to use all SP services in AMS..however Silvers can board in Zone 2 on Delta or 2nd boarding call with KLM. That's right after SkyPriority.

2nd boarding call with KLM.2nd boarding call? I can't recall when I last heard a second call. Making one seems to be tiring enough for most GAs, it leaves them utterly exhausted.

Johan

Making one seems to be tiring enough for most GAs, it leaves them utterly exhausted.

Johan

Hahaha, good one! Normally they just start boarding the same time, and let only SP through one, they never take an anouncement that only SP members class can go first :P

SB

My KLM contact has informed me that EC short-haul is still in the study phase so I presume the check-in agent must have been referring to a emergency exit seat / was mistaken.

Study phase.... what does that exactly mean? When do you think they will row that out, and if they do which routes in Europe?

SB

From my experience it seems to work better for those flights leaving from the C gates or the D gates. Never has worked for me at the B gates.

C-gates are the best.

Just had a look at the new setup in Terminal 2 en route to the Privium lounge.

The new entrance to the Sky Priority area takes the form of an arch, with large, clear and lit signs on either side. There was a queue to get in, but in the time I watched only one pax was admitted. The bouncer referred everybody else to the riffraff area further on. This required a lot of explaining and gesticulating, with quite a few people reluctant to move on. In other words, they were behaving just as they do at the gates. No matter what the signs say, no matter what the staff stay, "we want to check in / we want to board here and now!"

Policing the arch must be a lot of fun.

I suspect I may have a B gate in a little while. Will report on the Sky Priority exeperiece. May even make my way to the gate early, so I won't miss anything.

Johan

I would like to know if with Sky Priority platinum FB can now board together with business class in Mumbai or not yet.
Last time I was send back because I'm FB platinum and not Delta Business class (next I will use only Delhi Airport with KLM instead Mumbai with Delta).

Gate B24. Signs showed "gate open" as I made ny way from security. That's a totally pointless message where B gates are concerned. Turning the corner onto the B concourse, I could already from afar see a crowd blocking the thoroughfare between the gate and the moving walkway. When I got there, the display showed "boarding" and announced that it would be completed in a few minutes. No Sky Priority signage anywhere. The senior GA assisted a family with an infant, a child and more hand luggage than the average family of six would check for a month-long vacation, then disappeared. Shortly afterwards the junior agent opened the priority lane and in what was almost a whisper invited SP pax to board. There was no PA announcement, and I wonder whether she would have even mentioned SP had another pax and I not spent several minutes discussing the concept right in front of her desk.

Since I was the third to board, I do not know if priority boarding was enforced. The number of J pax was exactly zero, the crowd waiting at the elite line did not exactly look like a bunch of elites, and I seriously doubt that about 1/3 of the pax on a midday departure had elite status.

My first SP experience cannot be described as impressive.

Johan

Were you boarding an E190 via jetway or a F70/100 via bus?

Gate B24. Signs showed "gate open" as I made ny way from security. That's a totally pointless message where B gates are concerned. Turning the corner onto the B concourse, I could already from afar see a crowd blocking the thoroughfare between the gate and the moving walkway. When I got there, the display showed "boarding" and announced that it would be completed in a few minutes. No Sky Priority signage anywhere. The senior GA assisted a family with an infant, a child and more hand luggage than the average family of six would check for a month-long vacation, then disappeared. Shortly afterwards the junior agent opened the priority lane and in what was almost a whisper invited SP pax to board. There was no PA announcement, and I wonder whether she would have even mentioned SP had another pax and I not spent several minutes discussing the concept right in front of her desk.

Since I was the third to board, I do not know if priority boarding was enforced. The number of J pax was exactly zero, the crowd waiting at the elite line did not exactly look like a bunch of elites, and I seriously doubt that about 1/3 of the pax on a midday departure had elite status.

My first SP experience cannot be described as impressive.

Johan

I think this whole Sky Priority thing at Schiphol is primarily an image thing, they changed the signs and that's it. Staff will act exactly the same as they did before unless they properly instruct their gate agents this will never change no matter how they call it.

Were you boarding an E190 via jetway or a F70/100 via bus?E190 via a pretend jetway to the aircraft stairs at ground level. Funny thing was, almost all the aircraft parked at the B concourse were F70s, whereas the Fokker farm was ful of E190s put out to pasture.

They actually managed to complete boarding seven minutes before STD. As the captain announced our imminent departure, we could all hear ominous banging and clanking noises from the luggage holds. These continued for quite some time, until the captain finally announced that they "had just discovered" that a pax was missing, and his luggage had to be off-loaded. We were fortunately spared the Polderbaan, and thus still managed to arrive exactly on schedule. Made my train, which is what counts.

Johan

I would like to know if with Sky Priority platinum FB can now board together with business class in Mumbai or not yet.
Last time I was send back because I'm FB platinum and not Delta Business class (next I will use only Delhi Airport with KLM instead Mumbai with Delta).
Not unless the gate agents make an exception... With Delta Business/First are still the first ones to board. After this SP, followed by zones 1, 2 and 3.

KLM just has SP, thus allowing you to board at the same time as the WBC passengers.

At TLS the new Sky Priority is really a time saver at busy moments. Will try AMS in a little while. Regarding the way that boarding for Elites is done at the bus gates... It takes a bit of a thick skin to not simply wait in line but to walk to the front of the line and say 'I am Elite blah blah' but you do get to cut in line. Not much point unless you really want to be on the first bus.

Had my first experience of SkyPriority with KLM yesterday, and it largely worked. My journey took me from BHX to UIO via AMS in Business on an Award ticket.

I checked in online and both BPs had the SkyPriority logo. There was no SkyPriority signage at BHX, but then no queue at the Premium check-in and bag drop desk. Security will now 'fast-track' you if you enter the security area at the AF/KL end of the BHX terminal (previously you had to go right to the other end to use the official fast track lane). Business and Elite passengers were invited to board first, although no one checked BPs.

On arrival at AMS I had a few minutes in the lounge before heading to the gate (D47) for the AMS - UIO flight. There was a long queue for the security scan at the gate, but there was a manned SkyPriority lane and I was put in front all the non-priority pax. I found a seat in the gate waiting area near the door to the plane. A large plasma screen cycled through various information screens, including one that stated the boarding sequence (Business/Elites, then pax with children, then groups based on row numbers). Again, Business/Elites were invited to board first, but this time the BPs were carefully inspected.

On arrival at Quito my bag was about the fifth one off, so priority baggage also worked.

Great to hear that it works to some extend!

Any Silvers experienced SkyPriority? I was wondering if SkyPriority will be stated on the boarding pass of Silvers, have a upcoming flight soon, if not, I will just keep my card on hand the whole time!

Had many longhaul legs in the past few months where ElitePlus was neatly printed on my boarding passes, SkyPriority was no problem and flights void of the notorious hiccup with EC seat selection for DL Elites on KL flights.

Tho this morning at check-in for return flights at WAW my 4 boarding passes did not even show my DL FF number and neither had ElitePlus printed as usual and unlike my outbound flights.
It seems as though outsourced handling is not in tune with the new system.

Guess will have to waive my DL Diamond pass again at boarding time to get ahead of the "pack" (or "gate-lice" as we fondly call them in the US) ;)

Guess will have to waive my DL Diamond pass again at boarding time to get ahead of the "pack" (or "gate-lice" as we fondly call them in the US) ;)

"Gate lice" and "pack" (or "cattle") are actually 2 different terms. A "pack" (or cattle) refers to a crowd or long line of travelers (usually kettles). Gate lice are only those who crowd gate areas.

You can have a "pack" at a security line but you can't say that about gate lice.

Any Silvers experienced SkyPriority? I was wondering if SkyPriority will be stated on the boarding pass of Silvers, have a upcoming flight soon, if not, I will just keep my card on hand the whole time!

SkyPriority is not mentioned on my boarding pass, it says Flying Blue Silver Elite like before.

So now that SP has gone into effect at AMS, what the hell is inside that boarded area next to the ticketing desks?

Couple days ago it was still there:

http://upload.xandrios.net/sp_ams.JPG

So now that SP has gone into effect at AMS, what the hell is inside that boarded area next to the ticketing desks?

Couple days ago it was still there:

http://upload.xandrios.net/sp_ams.JPG

Thought that too.

Whatever it is, it's not necessarily related to SkyPriority at all. They're just using the hoarding as advertising space - in this case, to advertise SkyPriority.

True, could very well be the case. Little confusing though.

They just opened a brand new Skyteam booth at ATH airport. Not sure if it has to do with SP, as that is not introduced at ATH yet, but it looks nice:

http://upload.xandrios.net/skyteamath.JPG

So now that SP has gone into effect at AMS, what the hell is inside that boarded area next to the ticketing desks?

Couple days ago it was still there:

http://upload.xandrios.net/sp_ams.JPG


If i'am correct the same machines for checking in your luggage as in row 11 & 12.

dutch_122

They just opened a brand new Skyteam booth at ATH airport. Not sure if it has to do with SP, as that is not introduced at ATH yet, but it looks nice:


Reminds me of the consolidated SkyTeam booth at BUD.

Anyways, slightly off but if FB Silver (Skyteam elite) members are meant to receive priority check in then can someone explain the pictures of there only being a "elite plus" sign for China Eastern? https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150684238323393&set=a.10150684238153393.405395.227713703392&type=3&theater

Anyways, slightly off but if FB Silver (Skyteam elite) members are meant to receive priority check in then can someone explain the pictures of there only being a "elite plus" sign for China Eastern? https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150684238323393&set=a.10150684238153393.405395.227713703392&type=3&theater
Welcome to FT!

I know DL generally provides a separate priority check-in desk for Silver Medallion/ST Elite at its hubs, so maybe MU is doing something similar.

Anyways, slightly off but if FB Silver (Skyteam elite) members are meant to receive priority check in then can someone explain the pictures of there only being a "elite plus" sign for China Eastern? https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150684238323393&set=a.10150684238153393.405395.227713703392&type=3&theater

Welcome to FT!

I know DL generally provides a separate priority check-in desk for Silver Medallion/ST Elite at its hubs, so maybe MU is doing something similar.

Priority check-in still is a Skyteam Elite benefit so showing the person guarding the priority check-in your FF-card should give you access (or to any other priority check in desks pointed out by mtkeller).

Priority Check-in (http://www.skyteam.com/en/Why-SkyTeam/SkyTeam-Benefits/)
Faster check-in. You can check in at priority positions at most airports simply by showing your SkyTeam Elite or Elite Plus frequent flyer membership card. (2)

A few quick "reviews":

Flying AMS-LHR - Sky Priority signage at D2 is up, but the lane marked for priority was roped off so everyone regardless of status had to queue in a rather long loopy line to go through ONE screening point :td: didn't bother to ask about priority.

Return LHR-AMS - again, signage up, announcement even made for "Sky Priority customers to board at their leisure" - yeah right! The gate was rushed with three vague "lines" sprouting from the various BP scanning points.

GVA-AMS - signage present, asked gate staff re: priority boarding, some sort of vague acknowledgement but no enforcement. For a laugh, I decided to try it out so ahem-ed way to the front of queue, boarded but not before snarky dutch woman makes a comment about mensen die altijd druk heb...

I don't usually care about priority boarding given that I prefer to hang around until everyone else is on the plane...but KLM - if you're going to offer it, make it actually happen. :rolleyes:

Strange that they couldn't get it right at LHR. I've used AF priority boarding at LHR several times (genuinely boarding at my leisure) without issues, so you'd think that KL could learn from their French colleagues.

A few quick "reviews"Why am I not surprised?

KLAF can introduce all the fabulous benefits they want, but as long as they cannot get their gate agents to do their job properly it is just a waste of time and effort.

Johan

Strange thing in ATH that some Skyteam airlines do have SP, and others (AFKL) don't (yet).

Strange thing in ATH that some Skyteam airlines do have SP, and others (AFKL) don't (yet).
They do? Like which?

Last time I passed through ATH (April 17) this was not yet the case. At least not for AFKL/AZ. They did have a nice new sales booth though (Posted above).

Not that it matters though, they have always honored priority boarding at ATH..having two boarding lanes: One normal, one Priority: http://upload.xandrios.net/IMG_3516.jpg

I was there April 28th and DL had a special SP line: picture (http://t.co/jewapK0j)

Edit: now that I think of it, this could also have been DL's regular SkyPriority, although the signs looked like Skyteams concept.

I was there April 28th and DL had a special SP line: picture (http://t.co/jewapK0j)

Edit: now that I think of it, this could also have been DL's regular SkyPriority, although the signs looked like Skyteams concept.
New sign for something that DL had already been offering at most stations.

Probably the 'original' SkyTeam indeed :) But imho all Skyteam services have been implemented there long ago, so only the signage is missing :)

Boarded at a bus gate today, where priority boarding is a pointless concept. Nevertheless, I saw a SkyPriority sign behind the desk, near the exit to the bus stop. There was one very long queue to the single scanner, which was manned by a single GA.

Johan

At Gate D5 (AMS) on Saturday Evening (for my AMS-TLV) there was one line for the scanner, but once beyond this there was a dedicated SkyPriority Lane, with comfy seating, and a table with power sockets really did look good, and to top it off the Priority boarding was strictly enforced :)

I'm still reeling, or else I may just have been dreaming, but I boarded at B36 this afternoon and priority boarding worked.

B36 is one of the few gates with seating areas on both sides of the BC scanners, allowing pax to rise en masse and storm the gate from all sides simultaneously. Having played this game before, I carefully but with ostensibly nonchalant insouciance selected a strategic starting point to make my move at the first hint of boarding. A proper (recorded) announcement was made, after which the priority side only was opened. I would have been first, had I not out of courtesy allowed two other pax to cut in line in front of me. By sheer coincidence this also allowed me to peek at their boarding cards and confirm that they were entitled to SkyPriorty boarding.

I don't know what happened after I boarded, but they actually managed to get everybody on the plane 10 minutes before STD. Another shock to the system. Somebody then decided this was just the right time to start refuelling the plane, otherwise we might actually have pushed back on time. As it was, we left only a minute late.

KLM and the GAs are to be congratulated. Now all they have to do is keep it up.

Johan

Just back from a trip to Bergen (MAN-AMS-BGO, BGO-AMS-LBA).

The gate at MAN had two sets of seats, that formed two queues. Was in the SP side - not sure how strongly it's enforced, but GAs were saying "business or skyteam elite" or words along those lines.

AMS (to BGO). Actually impressed at this. Had a dedicated SP lane at the gate, it was pretty much empty when I got to it, with fairly long line in the economy one - suggesting it was being enforced. After the scanners, there was a SP 'holding pen' after with chairs, power points etc, and the economy side was 'roped off' from the air bridge.
Was one of the early D gates - D60 maybe?

BGO. The cut in the line setup. I may not have bothered to do so but I happened to be at that end of the line anyway. Probably got cursed no Norwegian for it by other pax, but GA said nothing other than to scan my boarding pass. Also don't think I was the first to cut in.

AMS (to LBA). Bus gate D6 so not really much to be gained by early!

So things are improving. Let's hope KLM can keep it up!

Just returned from a longhaul return trip. SP worked like a charm on both flights.

At AMS: <10mins for baggage drop-off and customs (one flight crew cutting through, no biggie). At the gate, 3 other SP members followed me into the SP line, triggering a crowd of followers. This alerted a suspicious gate agent who quickly checked and booted people from the line where appropriate.

On the way back: clearly identified SP lines which worked like a charm. (Although I dropped off my bags at the regular drop-off, as these 2 desks were empty while all 4 SP desks were occupied :D. Premium heavy destination I guess....).

So a big ^ for KLM's SP on this trip.

Today I was shocked. KLM and Air France in Oslo Airport were offering passengers who checked-in their carry on luggage priority boarding, making the priority boarding considerably longer than previously... Can someone confirm this at other outstations or even in Amsterdam Airport

SB

Today I was shocked. KLM and Air France in Oslo Airport were offering passengers who checked-in their carry on luggage priority boardingWhat? ? ?

Flew from CPH today, and priority boarding sort of worked for the first time ever. That's to say, it was properly announced and a half-hearted effort was made to stop those not elligible. I was first to board, and when the GA said "J class and elites only" I just answered "that must be me!" and walked straight past without showing my BC. Maybe he recognized me though, which is quite possible at CPH.

Johan

What? ? ?

Flew from CPH today, and priority boarding sort of worked for the first time ever. That's to say, it was properly announced and a half-hearted effort was made to stop those not elligible. I was first to board, and when the GA said "J class and elites only" I just answered "that must be me!" and walked straight past without showing my BC. Maybe he recognized me though, which is quite possible at CPH.

Johan

It was being enforced at HEL last week as well, for the first time ever. Problem was, there was no dedicated line so there was a big mob formed with people trying to push through, but the agents not letting anyone else through unless they were SkyPriority. Clearly they could have done a better job by ensuring that people were in one line vs. another depending on boarding priority.

Took a leisurely stroll from one end of AMS to the other yesterday evening. Several longhaul flights were (pre-)boarding from F-gates, all but one codeshares. These all had airline representatives supervising the KL GAs. The one KL metal flight also happened to be the only one where SkyPriority access to security was not policed, and consequently abused.

KL may get there in the end, but they still have some way to go.

Johan

I took a quick walk around the F-gates in the evening, a couple of days after Johan. There were only 3 flights (pre-) boarding at that time - 2 KL metal, and 1 KL code-share. However, all 3 seemed to have a KL GA at the entrance to the queuing area, checking eligibility for the SkyPriority lane. Admittedly a small sample, but still ^

An article in the January issue of Holland Herald promotes SkyPriority under the headline "New Flying Blue Benefits".

New? New? SkyPriorty has been around for a while. Getting it to actually work would indeed be something new, though.

I boarded an almost full flight at a B-gate yesterday. The departure was handled by a single agent. She first made an announcement for pax with small kids (there were lots of those), and then played the standard recorded boarding announcement, which resulted in the usual Charge of the Light Brigade (yeah, all six hundred of 'm. Their hearing had probably been impaired by too much Russian gunfire). As I had sneakily lined up behind the infants, I did not witness the scenes that followed. When the GA came on board with the pax manifest she told the FA that boarding had taken an extra 10 minutes because she was alone, and that this was the case at most gates due to staff shortages. She described the place as a madhouse. Maybe her colleagues were all still at exoctic locations waiting for non-rev seats home, or else they had not yet recovered from their New Year's Eve partying.

Johan

Maybe her colleagues were all still at exoctic locations waiting for non-rev seats home, or else they had not yet recovered from their New Year's Eve partying.

Or (being more charitable) maybe there was just an unusually high incidence of illness?

There is a lot of it going around... I've been struck down no less than four times in as many weeks (three colds - two of them bad enough to knock me out for a couple of days - and the dreaded Norovirus).

And, BTW, Cold No 3 struck, literally, as I was disembarking from my most recent KLM flight last Sunday. I must have, unwittingly, given it to quite a few people along my journey, possibly including some KLM staff.

So - maybe you should blame me for the chaotic boarding!

I took 6 flights with KL and AF during the last 3 weeks, and Priority Boarding works in all of them ! Specially at CDG, both at 2F and 2E where it was strictly enforced. A staff member was put in front of the SP lane to check that people were eligible to go there, and sent back at the Economy lane people who did not have Priority Boarding. It was a bit less enforced by KLM staff in AMS and SVG, but an effort was made.
For all flights I was among the first 10 to board.

However, I was denied SkyPriority lane at immigration at 2E in CDG: the dragon saying it was for Gold and Plat only, and only them. She claimed that while it was open for Silver at Check-in and Boarding, it was not at immigration, special agreement between AF and AdP. I can not find a clear policy for SkyPriority at CDG on AF website.
Does anyone has the same experience ?

She was correct.

Thanks.
Fair enought, then. As I told her I have no problem with that, but it should be clearly labelled somewhere. SkyPriority is supposed to be a universal service everywhere, if there are exceptions, they should be stated clearly on the SkyPriority sign at Immigration lane.

I thought most places that where Skyteam Elite passengers are also welcome it explicitly stated, like this below. For example (https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150680394593393.404906.227713703392&type=3):

https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/558654_10150680479363393_1567102070_n.jpg

SkyPriority is supposed to be a universal service everywhere
You are right, and it is. I think the main thing to realize is that as FB silver member you do not get full Skypriority access. You get some benefits that are incidentally also part of the Skypriority package. But the real Skypriority concept is for Gold, Platinum and Business class only.

The sign pictured above shows the same: Priority access is for Skypriority members, and also FB silver members. At CDG 2E immigration the sign probably did not mention access for Silver members, hence no access was permitted.

I have to admit that, searching for anything written down, things are unclear. However if you compare these the difference should show:
Silver benfits (http://www.klm.com/travel/nl_en/flying_blue/membership_benefits/silver_benefits/silver_benefits_with_skyteam_airlines.htm#p3)
Gold benefits (http://www.klm.com/travel/nl_en/flying_blue/membership_benefits/gold_benefits/gold_benefits_with_skyteam_airlines.htm#p3)

As a Flying Blue Silver Elite member, you are welcome to use a selection of SkyPriority services. Simply follow the signs with the special red label to enjoy the Silver Elite benefits you are entitled to including:

Priority check-in
Priority baggage drop-off
Priority boarding

At Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, we can also offer you the SkyPriority services that are normally reserved for Flying Blue Elite Plus members and First and Business Class passengers:

Priority at immigration and security
Priority service at ticket offices and transfer desks

Please note, however, that Flying Blue Silver members can make use of these additional services at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol only, and not at other airports.

At Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, we can also offer you . . . Priority at immigrationAs a Privium member I don't pay much attention to the regular immigration lanes, but is SkyPriority really available at the depatures and arrivals checkpoints?

Johan

As a Privium member I don't pay much attention to the regular immigration lanes, but is SkyPriority really available at the depatures and arrivals checkpoints?

Johan

Not at arrivals, unless you are going from non-Schengen to Schengen (and vice versa).
Furthermore, for those travelling to Paris there is also a short connection queue.

Gajan

hello, i am a silver FB member, can i use the priority security lane at AMS, with a guest? No FB member.

Depends on the staff. I got companions through and once my whole family.

I recently flew VIE-CDG and the boarding process was supervised by a KL agent who was checking on the contract staff. Possibly the first time that I saw Skypriority enforced with people being sent back, though the announcement welcomed only FB silvers to board first. :rolleyes:

The last time I flew KL thru AMS on my way to Cape Town some three weeks ago, we tried to board as Sky Priority having Delta Diamond Status and being an "Elite" member of the "Seamless Skyteam" where:

we aim to provide you with seamless connections and a hassle-free travel experience – before, during and after your flights


It was a complete zoo - with a larger contingent boarding as "Sky Priority" than I've ever seen here in the US, where SP was started a few years ago.
When asked where the SP queue was beginning, we were arrogantly told by a sea of pax : "we are ALL Sky Priority" :rolleyes:

When we arrived at the gate for our flight to IST 1,5 weeks ago - more than half an hour before ETD - there was one big queue for security. There was no designated SkyPriority lane at the gate so most elite+ and business passengers who - like us - arrived from the lounge had to join the queue at the end.

As a result the boarding had already started by the time we got through security and most people were already on board... Another farce and - although this time not KLM's but Schiphol's fault - another reason to say goodbye to KLM.

Both outbound and inbound I had not bothered with preselecting seats nor OLCI because of the new EC rules; I am not prepared to pay extra for a seat in the front Y section. This strategy worked out well as we were assigned EER seats at no extra charge on both flights when checking in at the airport.

Surprisingly holders of a SkyPriority BP are allowed to use a special lane at the passport control desk upon arrival at IST!