For ST members yes, but not for AS MP members. Many MVP's were eagerly awaiting the addition of CX as a partner. To drop them in favor of ST would cause a huge uproar, and AS knows it. The probability of AS giving up CX/BA/AA..(notice a trend)../LA/QF for ST is virtually zero.

As a newly minted VS Silver and future VS Gold, I would not like to see that happen. I would rather see them become the BA of Star.

Although, redeeming on AF's new F would be nice.

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"Rows 50 and above are business seats for those with infants" - gfowler-ord-1k
SkyTeam - "The whatever's leftover Alliance"

[This message has been edited by ByrdluvsAWACO (edited Mar 10, 2004).]

[This message has been edited by ByrdluvsAWACO (edited Mar 10, 2004).]

Are there going to be any anti-trust issues for NW and CO to join SkyTeam?

- HF

I don't think the US Justice Department will object, but Germany might ask the EU to block the deal in order to protect Lufthansa. Of course, Air France will be in favor of it so this might lead to another Franco-Prussian War. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

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Sir Dovster, OBE
(Omni Boycotter Extraordinaire)

Best answer yet.

Can I fight for the Free French?

My only demand will be a pdf timetable each month!

Assuming NW & CO join Skyteam on May 1 does this mean I will be able to earn & burn miles with the other members from May 1 forward? Or, more likely, is this just a day for the PR departments to get together, drink champagne (French of course) and issue a statement, with all of the benefits happening at a later date.

You have been able to earn burn with NW and CO for quite some time now. Check out any of their sites.

What I meant to say is this: Will I be able to get NW (or CO) mileage on an AF or KAL flight on May 1? Or is May 1 more of a ribbon cutting day with all the link-ups coming in the future? Am considering an Air France flight for Memorial Day but will only consider it if I can get Worldperks miles.

Nothing Official
 

There has been no official date of implementation. Until you get a press release from NW WP stating that WP members can earn miles on ST partners on *blank* date; I would look to NW's current partners.

If you have seen an official press release stating such; please let us know!

- HobokenFlyer

Has anyone heard if Kenya Airways will join Skyteam. It would seem to make sense considering KLM's 49% ownership.

KLM own 26% of Kenyan, not 49%, and yes Kenyan will be joining Skteam - this is all dependant of course on the shareholder vote that will decide wether Air France & KLM will merge or not. Once the result is known, then you'll start to see the press releases regarding the likes of Northwest, Continental & Kenyan joining Skyteam.

Malév Hungarian Airlines and CSA signed a declaration of intent to develop closer and more efficient commercial ties between the two airlines - CSA will also act as an intermediary to support Malév's membership of SkyTeam.

Malev will be joining Skyteam only as an Associate Member - not a full member. As an associate member, Malév would be allowed to use the SkyTeam logo and establish bilateral agreements with other members of the alliance, plus it would afford entitlement to the numerous benefits passengers enjoy, for instance use of airport lounges and access to frequent flyer programmes. The only disadvantage of associate as opposed to full membership is the lack of voting rights in the decision-making process.

Full copy of press release available at
http://www.travel-mania.net/klmforum...read.php?p=531

Regards,
Bart

Does anyone know anything about the rumors of Royal Jordanian joining? I have seen spotty references here and in other places about this, but never more than the mentioning of the name.

Where are the Asian carriers?
 

I presume several of these European and African carriers will join ST. SkyTeam is seriously lacking any Asian carriers - JAL would be nice - but it seems they could poach one of Thai or SQ - as those two are reported to squabble in *a. KE shouldn't be the only Asia-based carrier - and China Southern shouldn't be the filler!!

I'd like to see Hawaiian and Alaska join, as well as Emirates and El Al. I think it would also be nice if they could get a South American and South Pacific based airline.

Will COPA be joining as I think CO owns a fair stake in it?

Hawaiian codeshares with both Northwest and Continental and is a frequent flyer partner of both carriers. I think they're still under bankruptcy protection - the cost of joining an alliance may be too much for them - maybe they may eventually join SkyTeam as an associate member.

Whilst in that part of the world, Aloha have codeshare deals with United and Air New Zealand.

Alaskan - they've got it good at the moment - logically they're better off not joining an aliiance as they have various codeshare and co-operation deals with various US carriers plus British Airways and KLM.

Continental are currently in the process of upping their stake in Copa - yes they may eventually join Skyteam. Now that the Air France KLM deal has been approved by shareholders we'll see Kenyan Airways join later this year.

Well Aeroflot is now assured!
 

http://edition.cnn.com/2004/TRAVEL/0...eut/index.html

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...eferrerid=5290

Wonder when the SkyTeam website is going to anouce Aeroflot, CO, KL and NW.

- HF