Continental and Northwest to Enter SkyTeam
 

When is the expected date for these two airlines to enter the SkyTeam alliance? Will it be within the next few months or will be it be closer to 2005.

Thanks for your help.

JP

I'm taking a stab here (from conversations with NWA Mgt) but an annoucement should be made by Memorial day.

In the mean time....Aeroflot has requestion to join SkyTeam

http://frequentflier.com/ffc-020404.htm

I listened to a replay via nwa.com of Richard Anderson's (NWA CEO) presentation at Goldman Sachs Conference, and he said that NWA is aiming for a mid 2004 entry into skyteam. In the pdf available for download it says that it is targeting just a 2004 entry, nothing more specific.

http://media.corporate-ir.net/media_...wac_020504.pdf

last line on page 19 it states the skyteam entry target.

That's a fascinating presentation. I'm sitting there while I read it... projecting 2004, 2005, 2006...

NW will return to profitability. Labor costs is an interesting dynamic.

How long can JetBlue remain the industry leader? Right now they have the benefit of being small & nimble. They don't serve many destinations and don't need the infrastructure that the larger airlines do.

The writing is on the wall for NW employees though. Pay cuts and/or benefit cuts are coming. That's tough to take.

Thanks for posting the link.



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doglover

Continental in SkyTeam
 

I spoke with a customer service rep at Continental OnePass tonight, and he mentioned it would be a while before Continental enters, since he still cannot process upgrades on Delta, which is supposedly a "first step" towards integration. He said he didn't have a firm date, but he wouldn't expect it until later this year.

Wish I had better news... and I hope he is wrong.

just found out that Continental will start offering tickets to BRE on Sun OCt 31st. BRE is only served by KLM and AF. So they either will start some codesharing or this is the date they will join ...

Official date for NW entry into SkyTeam is May 1... look for some announcement either this Friday or next Monday from NW...

Do you think this will be entry date or full benefits date? IE, can we start earning on AF right away?

I would say yes if may 1 is the true date, however I would not be a total surprise if all that happens is a "ribbon cutting ceremony" with benefits to come later.

I just hope the benefits start soon!

Now May 3rd, with no new announcement, (except for Delta Airlines computer glitch), I guess the May 1st entry date is delayed again....bummer.

KLM, Northwest, Continental seen joining Skyteam
 

http://biz.yahoo.com/rc/040505/airli...skyteam_1.html

PARIS, May 5 (Reuters) - Newly formed Franco-Dutch airline Air France-KLM said on Wednesday it expected KLM, Northwest and Continental to join the Skyteam alliance in mid-September 2004.

Air France, whose takeover bid for KLM was successfully completed on Tuesday, said in a statement that the new members would likely join the world's third largest airline alliance, that already includes Delta, AeroMexico and Korean Air among others, in September.

Thanks for the timely heads up! :cool:

It is most appreciated so I can start my planning!

NJ

KL, CO and NW will join SkyTeam in mid-September. Have a look at the KLM branch