SkyTeam Introduces SkyPriority For Top Customers
#16
Join Date: May 2010
Programs: Delta Silver, HH Gold, Accor Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 5,338
#17
Join Date: Oct 2011
Programs: FB Platinum for Life
Posts: 1,019
SkyPriority Expands
This month's (April 2013) issues of both the 'Holland Herald' (KLM) and 'Msafiri' (KQ) have an update on the rollout of SkyPriority. In particular:
- 75% of airports already covered
- AR and AM to start roll out this month
- All ~1,000 SkyTeam airports to be covered by end of this year.
The articles also mentioned 'new benefits being added to the programme'. In terms of specifics, the Holland Herald only mentions a SkyPriority desk in baggage halls in arrivals. I don't have a copy of Msafiri to hand, but I think it also mentioned something about a SkyPriority phone service (not sure if this would mean a SkyTeam-managed callcentre, or just a re-brand of each airline's existing lines for premium pax) and perhaps even something about seating.
Somewhat surprisingly, there doesn't seem to be a press release on the SkyTeam website about any of this yet.
- 75% of airports already covered
- AR and AM to start roll out this month
- All ~1,000 SkyTeam airports to be covered by end of this year.
The articles also mentioned 'new benefits being added to the programme'. In terms of specifics, the Holland Herald only mentions a SkyPriority desk in baggage halls in arrivals. I don't have a copy of Msafiri to hand, but I think it also mentioned something about a SkyPriority phone service (not sure if this would mean a SkyTeam-managed callcentre, or just a re-brand of each airline's existing lines for premium pax) and perhaps even something about seating.
Somewhat surprisingly, there doesn't seem to be a press release on the SkyTeam website about any of this yet.
#18
Join Date: Oct 2011
Programs: FB Platinum for Life
Posts: 1,019
SkyPriority Continues With Red Carpet Treatment
OK, I found the Msafiri article, which mentions new initiatives under development that include:
- A dedicated SkyPriority Call Centre
- Information about SkyPriority on all member airlines websites, and in FFP welcome packs sent to new ST E+ members
- A preferred seating system for all SkyPriority pax (which may of interest to posters in this thread: Rant: seat selection)
- SkyPriority counter at baggage desks in arrivals halls
However, there wasn't much detail given on any of these initiatives.
- A dedicated SkyPriority Call Centre
- Information about SkyPriority on all member airlines websites, and in FFP welcome packs sent to new ST E+ members
- A preferred seating system for all SkyPriority pax (which may of interest to posters in this thread: Rant: seat selection)
- SkyPriority counter at baggage desks in arrivals halls
However, there wasn't much detail given on any of these initiatives.
#19
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Italy
Programs: ITA Executive for life; AZ CFP "per sempre" (ST E+); LH SEN; BA Bronze
Posts: 1,948
#20
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: ZRH
Programs: LX HON***, FB Silver, BA Silver, Bonvoy Gold, Hyatt GP, Hertz Gold, GHA Black
Posts: 827
I personally dont like the sky priority as there is very little to no diffence between handling platinum, gold and silver pacs anymore. Three weeks ago at CDG the sky priority line was a zoo on an AF long distance flight. The line almost reach the next gate. I am not so sure if this lumpsum of all "cardholders" in one line is really something for the passengers or only for the airline to have less different levels to call for boarding.
#21
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: GLA
Programs: AF/KL FB Plat 4L, VA Vel Silver, BA EC, LH M&M
Posts: 1,825
I personally dont like the sky priority as there is very little to no diffence between handling platinum, gold and silver pacs anymore. Three weeks ago at CDG the sky priority line was a zoo on an AF long distance flight. The line almost reach the next gate. I am not so sure if this lumpsum of all "cardholders" in one line is really something for the passengers or only for the airline to have less different levels to call for boarding.
#22
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Paris, France
Programs: AF/KL Flying Blue Platinum for life/Club2000 Ultimate, Accor ALL Diamond
Posts: 21,791
the positive change with SkyPriority is that now, people eligible to the lane are checked. This was rarely the case before.
#23
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Italy
Programs: ITA Executive for life; AZ CFP "per sempre" (ST E+); LH SEN; BA Bronze
Posts: 1,948
Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (BlackBerry; U; BlackBerry 9800; it) AppleWebKit/534.8+ (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/6.0.0.600 Mobile Safari/534.8+)
you are correct : no change here
the positive change with SkyPriority is that now, people eligible to the lane are checked. This was rarely the case before.
Ditto with AZ. Rules are enforced a bit better than before.
Originally Posted by Goldorak
the positive change with SkyPriority is that now, people eligible to the lane are checked. This was rarely the case before.
#24
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Zurich
Programs: BA GGL, TK*G EL, KL P ELPL, ex AB P, ex LH/LX Sen, HHonors D4L, Bonvoy P
Posts: 1,643
I think the main advantage is really that gate staff finds it easier to check and therefore is actually enforcing it.
Before/in other alliances they are sometime rather hesitant because they are confronted with all sort "rules" (aka excuses) where they, as gate staff, can only lose: Either they don't enforce and upset all those really entitled or they do enforce rather strictly and risk a complaint from someone who's entitled but sent back. SkyTeam priority - together with the easy to spot logo - gets them the confidence they need.
Before/in other alliances they are sometime rather hesitant because they are confronted with all sort "rules" (aka excuses) where they, as gate staff, can only lose: Either they don't enforce and upset all those really entitled or they do enforce rather strictly and risk a complaint from someone who's entitled but sent back. SkyTeam priority - together with the easy to spot logo - gets them the confidence they need.
#25
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Boston, MA, USA
Programs: FB LTPE, BAEC GGL, EK Blue, SK Gold, Marriott Amb+LTT, IHG Diamond Amb, Accorhotels Silver
Posts: 1,910
They also implemented priority boarding on French domestic flights ^^^ (except La Navette), which is a big, big improvement from my (selfish) perspective.
#26
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: London
Posts: 17,007
Is SkyPriority (check in, boarding, hold luggage, etc) available on flights operated by Flybe? In July I have a flight RNS-MAN, AF coded but BE operated, and I am dreading getting stuck behind all the tourists and their kids ...
#28
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: CDG/BVA
Programs: AFKL Plat STE+ (LT), OZ Diam+ *G (LT), QF Gold OWS (LTG 83%)
Posts: 324
All is done in the blink of an eye with such aircraft (plus, you won't hear kids screaming due to the noisy turboprop ).
It's not like you'll have to wait for a full A380 boarding.
#29