Why No SkyTeam Mega DO?
 

From my browsing here it looks like both Star and One World are having some sort of Mega Do.

Why no SkyTeam Mega Do?

I know there have been several DL meetups one of which I have taken part in. I would like to see a bigger one involving some of the partners. Has this been attempted?

Personally I would love to see some sort of round-the-world itinerary, for example:

ATL - AMS/CDG - ICN/NRT - LAX - ATL.

Of course throwing in some tours/events along the way. Maybe over the course of a week or a few days?

I am just thinking aloud here and am curious how everyone feels/thinks if this would ever happen?

Cheers,

Foo

Because the rest of the SkyTeam (save Delta) is spending all of their time trying to figure out how to join a different alliance now that Delta has gone rogue with their SkyMiles policies :D

Well, Dl really put a nice show in ATL, AF does seem interested to host something in Europe but they only have a limited budget and someone has to ask them at the right spot in the right time.

as far as i heard behind the scenes - air france is preparing something big for next year ^

psst ... this is not official for the moment ... and big? ;)

Well I suppose that is an OK start. We know DL would probably be willing to help out and at least some help from AF? If we could get KL and KE on board for something then my round-the-world idea may work. Even if they don't "have enough money" we could work out a group rate for flights at least and maybe a tour of ops? Then getting hotels on board would be fun as well.

We could also set up some hotel events in CDG/AMS maybe?

Personally I would love to do a DMZ tour in South Korea and/or see some KE OPs. I am sure a lot of us would like to chat with KE SkyPass leaders about award redemption ;)

Just thinking aloud at this point. I am more than willing to help organize this if anything comes of it. Feels like we shouldn't be left out!

I imagine it's going to take someone with the foresight and drive of tommy777 stepping up and doing it.

Such people are in short supply.

even if its about a DO - I'll move it to the skyteam forum for the moment. :)

regards,

chrissxb
co-moderator
communitybuzz!

I'd love to do one...think it would be fun. Would be really cool if we could get KE/KL/AF/DL together for it...they all fly to LAX and ATL but all but KL have significant operations at LAX which would be cool to get a tour of.

I see we are all just ignoring RO :td:

Don't forget about OK, AZ, and UX! Let's see what we could do for just TATL. Fly a DL764 ATL-LHR, then an ex-Mesaba Avro LCY-CDG (CityJet for AF). Next take AZ CDG-FCO, followed by UX on FCO-MAD. Then RO for MAD-OTP and OK for OTP-PRG. Finally, KL takes you PRG-AMS. Now the question is whether we head east to ICN with KE or go back TATL.

Seems like one could have some fun hopping around Asia with KE, VN, CZ, MU, DL, and CI (and GA before too long).

I had discussed this idea in person with a number of people as early as two years ago, including with atldlff, tommy777, beaubo and even with Randy Petersen — however, the talks never really progressed past the introductory stage.

I am interested in at least co-organizing this event — if not being the organizer — as my experience dictates. In addition to the people I know at Delta Air Lines, chrissxb introduced me to some of the executives at Air France on a trip to Paris two years ago. The Air France executives expressed interest but were unable to execute the idea at that time due to a variety of reasons.

However, due to a number of factors — especially economic ones — I am uncertain as to whether or not the fruition of bringing this idea to reality is possible or feasible at this time...

So even if we negotiate a group rate fare, pay that out of pocket, they can't at least throw us a couple ops tours or something?

I suppose one could argue that a lot won't attend unless there is some large attraction like the Star Do but I for one would go anyway. I simply like the idea of meeting other FT'ers from SkyTeam and discussing travel over a few beers.

I was just looking for something a little bigger than a "meetup" I guess.

Maybe if we see enough interest in this thread and some of the folks who matter see it they may come forth with something?

No harm in trying.

Foo

I think it would be fascinating, particularly a behind the scenes look at some of the Asian Skyteam carriers.

Canarsie what are the economic factors you are talking about?

I think this is a really great idea! I think that support of some ST airlines might be enlisted via social networks rather than only through official channels. At least one successful example in the lines of a Mega DO is the KLM party flight to Miami:
video
"Nothing is impossible for KLM when answering to its customers' needs."

or a news report
http://www.airlinereporter.com/2011/...i-on-an-md-11/

If there's any sort of web/tech experience required, or really anything that I might be able to help out with, I would love to help out. I do not believe I have Canarsie's organizational prowess, but I would love to throw myself out there and say that I am interested if an effort does come about, and I'm a willing and able volunteer. :)

It would be very nice to have a project like this work!

I think the KLM Miami Party flight is not a right example though, as they mainly did this to make the news. It did, and in that aspect KLM won big time.

With a project like this I suspect KLM would be less willing. Because after all, a flight full of aircraft fanatics is less likely to make the news as a party flight with famous DJ's.

How do the Star DO's finance the chartered flights? Does everybody pay enough to actually pay for the charter in full? Or are parts financed through sponsoring and the like?

I know that the Star Mega DO folks did pay for their seats. I am sure that it was subsidized by some sponsors and whatnot. They are lucky enough to have a hotel group on board too to sweeten the deal.

As I stated I am fine with negotiating a group rate that will still earn us miles. Doesn't have to be some extravagant event in my opinion. I would be happy with some fun flights, OPS tours, and even free days on all the stops.

When I get a little down time I might cook up a proposed itinerary. I dare say if we get enough interest just make a group trip out of it!

Sure, a party flight catches the media attention more easily. However, you forget that it was originally and primarily a social networking event. KLM got completely hooked up only once the party community got the flight full within a short amount of time. So with a little bit of creativity on our and the participating airlines side the ST Mega DO could have a similar impact. Take a look on KL's facebook page - every other post is from someone who almost got an orgasm from flying with KLM and enjoying their service :rolleyes: Get those folks compete for two tickets on this event and you get their attention. Similar thing holds for other ST airlines.

You need someone famous to make it more pallatable for the airlines? Well get someone for at least one leg of the trip. For instance, for DUB-CDG Gerard Depardieu comes to my mind :-D
But perhaps I am thinking too much out of the box...

The SMD rates are not subsidized. The sponsors do provide major events and give out very nice mileage bonuses, but CO/UA does not discount the charter. SMD 3 was originally supposed to go to Brazil, but UA botched the initial pricing and the charter to Brazil and back would have been way too much.

That said, OW and *A have a selection of carriers that are truly world class, maintain higher standards, and aren't afraid to drop prospective members (*A kicked out Varig, so it does happen) or deny entry.

Skyteam on the other hand seems to let anyone in; seriously, Middle East, Aerolineas, Vietnam Airlines. They seem to be lacking in the quality department. Granted ST does have AF, KE, and AZ, but that's where the highlights end IMHO.

Perhaps we can call it the SkyTeam Minor DO :)

I'd be willing to help out...

LOL.

Great!

Against all the naysayers I am will to make my own attempt at this:

Initial thoughts:

- Sept/Oct 2012 date (allows plenty of time for planning and arrangements, good weather)
- Going for a group rate flights and hotels, hopefully T fare or equivalent. Mileage earning of course ;)
- Maybe not a Mega DO but just a fun group trip.
- Going to try to line up ops tours if possible

Questions/Comments:

- Where would you like to go?
- Need suggestions of what you would like to see/do?
- How much would you be willing to spend?

My suggested Routing:

1. Begin in ATL (DL ops tour/event?)
2. Next stop CDG/AMS (AF or KL Ops tour?)
3. Next stop ICN (???)
4. End in LAX (or ATL)?

Ideally I would like to do mixed metal:

ATL - Europe DL/AF/KL
Europe - ICN: KE/AF/KL
ICN - USA: KE/DL

Depending on how much time people would like to dedicate I would want to build in a couple free days. Say 1 in Paris/Amsterdam and 1 in South Korea.

If I get more feedback on routing we can hammer out a more defined schedule.

Foo

My personal route would be to go from East to West to avoid endless redeyes.

CDG-ATL is always easier than ATL-CDG (assuming same class in each direction)

I am ok with going east first. I was thinking redeyes in the interest of saving time and hotel costs since you can be moving while you sleep.

But I am flexible in the end it doesn't matter a whole lot to me.

I personaly enjoy a Skyteam do every time AF busses me around CDG from the gate to the aircraft and vice versa.

Just kidding. I would like the idea.

I like the idea, too.

^^^^^

If this is when it goes down, count me in.

Something along the lines of ICN-SGN/TPE/PVG/CAN-CDG/AMS-JFK/ATL-MEX would be awesome.

KE for leg 1
AF/KL for leg 2
DL leg 3
AM leg 4

Good idea!

All of the Asian stops you listed except for ICN and TPE require a visa in advance to visit. TPE would be neat. I have never been there personally.

Adding MEX to the mix would be good too!

Foo

The the visa for China is a killer but the visa for Vietnam is a joke. You can get an "e-visa" on arrival by registering online in advance for about $20 (lower if there's a large group), printing out the document they email you and paying $25 when you land. The whole process is pretty efficient and takes about 20 minutes in the airport.

I'd rather have a stop in Indonesia with a GA flight.

I like this idea. I would prefer a stop in Indonesia, too. TPE would be my second preference.

My vote would also go to Indonesia versus TPE. I always wanted to go to Bali!

Good ideas folks keep rolling!

Bali would be awesome but GA will have just joined the alliance. Kind of a tall order, no?

We should connect carriers via non-ST hubs just for kicks... eg DL US-LHR, then AF LHR-CDG-BKK, then KE BKK-ICN-etc or something.

:)

I'd prefer to stick with the large ST hubs. New airlines would be fun, but would be more interested in seeing the "nuts and bolts" of the alliance (DL, AF/KL, KE---ATL/AMS/CDG/ICN).

Or maybe ATL-JFK (tour new terminal 4)-CDG (380)-AMS-ICN (KL)-JFK (KE). Does KE plan to put the 380 on the JFK route?

The 380 is already on the route for JFK-ICN. I want to fly it since the entire upper deck is biz class and has a bar/lounge in it!

http://nycaviation.com/2011/08/new-k...ht-to-america/

I too agree with the main stops and maybe throw in a new airline if we can. The Bali idea I particularly like. It all comes down to time available. I would like to keep it around a week at most.

How embarrassing I didn't know this! I guess that's what happens when you're forced to do short hops on US out of LGA :(

Would be fabulous to fly out of and into JFK on two ST 380s.

Sign me up! But I say we time the Do with the day SV joins. It is set for spring 2012, right?

That way we can hold the Do at RUH and no women can come. What? Women don't come to these things anyways? Oh.
:) :) :) :)

Don't forget that CZ starts flying their A380 this winter. Routes not finalized (they're going to start on domestic China and might keep one there for a while), but it seems that CDG-CAN will be one of the first routes to get a CZ A380.

I think a number of the DL people would be displeased at the lack of Woodford for a RUH-Do :D