With VN in SkyTeam..
 

So now with VN in SkyTeam as of June 10th (oddly enough, while the VN site has been updated earlier today (June 9th), still no show of VN on skyteam.com or in the official SkyTeam schedules - ST sure is not being very professional here in welcoming VN to the alliance, IMO), are there any plans for any US-HAN or US-SGN SkyTeam flights (be it VN or DL)?

DL cancelled the NRT-SGN, presumably due to VN, that was then known coming to ST, already flying that route.

But now with VN, that has some pretty ambitious expansion plans set under way, is there any integration of VN schedules within ST coming, and perhaps making for easier connections via HAN and/or SGN? Or, nothing really, and VN will be just relegated to a 2nd tier ST airline (though in terms of service I've ready it's pretty good) and will be on its own to build any more traffic via its two hubs?

And also, any news of VN flights award availability: how to book (presumably phone only - if DL is even ready for it yet?) and general availability?

How many VN flights is DL adding as codeshares, if any?

Welcome VN and this is your new Skyteam Alliance. I am looking forward to it. Wait a minutes? It wasn't supposed to do that today? You will have wait to see in the morning if Skyteam Member of boards will introduction newest Vietnam Airlines to joins the alliance. It will have a celebration for VN who has already officially joins the Skyteam today.

Nothing odd about it all ... your country may still be firmly stuck in yesterday ;) but for most of the worlds population today is 10 June.

Obvious Question
 

Ok, I'll ask the stupid, yet obvious question: Who is "VN"?

Vietnam Airlines

http://www.vietnamairlines.com.vn/wp...al/vn/welcome/

MO

Right, and SkyTeam is headquartered in Amsterdam, yet still end of June 10th (in AMS) and still no update to skyteam.com site header (no VN logo there still), still no VN in ST schedules. Just this PR hidden away in news, that's all:
http://www.skyteam.com/news/headlines/20100610.html

It seems that while VN is ready and has joined SkyTeam, the rest of ST (including DL) has not done their homework and has not implemented the promised codeshares (as per the ST PR), etc. (Perhaps DL should outsource their stone-age, underpowered and extremely buggy IT to VN? I'm sure that would bring some significant service and reliability, consistency improvements. :p) )

As others have said, the most likley outcome is that ST will drag down VN's service standards over the long run.

There may be a few VN marketing execs who are a little disappointed today at the underwhelming welcome. Few other people give a flip. Anyone wanting to know about VN award availability using SkyMiles can call Delta. Calling is the way UA and AA have flyers book award tickets on partners.

It's official from Vietnam Airlines is now entry into Skyteam Alliance. So here the links:

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Vietna....html?x=0&.v=1

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Delta-....html?x=0&.v=1

DL will start codeshare with VN. So let's the speculations begin.

Regards

For celebration of joining in Skyteam, VN ran a fare sale from 09:00PM June 9, GMT to 08:59PM June 10, GMT, offering 10% off all fares. However, this sale ended 5 hours earlier at 04:00PM, June 10 GMT (12:00N, June 10 EDT or 12:00AM, June 11, Local Vietnam time) than they advertised.

I could have saved about $15 this morning to book the ticket rather than I waited after lunch time when the sale is over. Damn it!!!!

The press release mentions codesharing and flight cooperation later this year. I presume it involves terminal moves in NRT by VN and sorting out the proper government formalities.

And SkyTeam welcomes another world-class airline famed for premium service to the fold. :rolleyes:

Well, at least my SkyMiles remain safe from any attractive redemption opportunities :(

Earning and using SkyMiles on VN will need to wait for government formalities too, if they have not all ready happened yet.

Deltas press release says FF and lounge reciprocity starts immediately with codesharing to follow in the fall.

Right. DL will have wait for subject of government approval to start codeshare from USA-Vietnam. Likewise, DL will likely to be reinstates nonstop NRT-SGN on operating 757 aircraft. Do you really think DL will get fifth freedom traffic rights through Japan-Vietnam or VN will startup nonstop from SGN-LAX or SFO on operating 77E aircraft.

How does government get involved in such SM activities. Routes and maybe codesharing, yes, but mile earning?