I do not see how you can call SkyTeam the loser alliance. Star seems to be the bankrupt alliance: UA, US, AC, then there used to be Ansett.

Look at the members, UA may be bankrupt but AF is still AF. Do you really fly, surely AF does not treat you better then the rest of the DL pax? If so, why?

I'd rather fly a RTW on *A over Sk***am anyday. Better partners, better lounges. Of course, I'd rather do it on OW over *A too...

I do fly AF frequently, and I don't find they're service awful, in the air or on the ground. What i've found is communicating in French, even so little as parlez-vous anglais (U.S. keyboards, dangit), gets a much better reception than "da**it, i'm an American, service me or we'll destroy you". It's all relative, I expect foreigners visiting the U.S. to know a few English phrases. Not only does it make it easier for them but it can also make their visit a safer one. I think it's adds to the fun of communication to know a little of the country's launguage in which your visiting/connecting. The exception to this is to/from AMS (i'm thrilled with the addition of KLM). I find the Dutch wanting to talk my ear off in English, every person in Amsterdam i've experienced loves the practice. So after all this chatter to answer your question, I find that AF treats me at least equal (I never expect better), than any other pax!! Quite frankly, i'm rather skeptical that UAL is going to make it through bankruptcy.

Cheers!! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

crimguy1976, very interesting....

I do not speak French nor do I want to. I have problems with AF about 1/3rd of the time.

AMS, yes, the Dutch are great and all want to practice their English. In fact, I would probably speak better Nederlands if the Dutch would speak to me in Nederlands. However, once they here my American accent, they break into English trying to please me and practice at the same time.

KLM on the other hand, their service has gone down hill over the past 5 years, but are still far better then AF as far as services on the ground (and often times AF service on the ground is enough to make me avoid AF for the next year.)

UA not coming out of bankruptcy? Maybe, maybe not. But I think their chances of survival are far greater then DL who will be in bankruptcy when their cash runs out and in far worse position then UA is now. Don't forget, DL is bleeding in all directions, they just happen to have more cash sitting around then UA. DL is chasing off it's loyal customers as it cuts cost, so only time will tell. Maybe DL and US both wont make it, maybe they will. However, I fly based on price and service, and DL gets neither of those, at least most of the time. *A beats SK**AM without question, though, KLM certainly is help, but only takes it for horrible to almost horrible.

Remember that in all liklihood, both CO and NW will join ST as well as KLM.

Your AF experience, and comments on language and culture in general echoes my own experiences. What few phrases in French I know, I mangle horribly, yet I find that if I use them, with a bit of patience, and humour at my own expense, people (yes, EVEN Parisans) are willing to try to understand and help me (even to the point of admitting that they speak English). I've never received substandard treatment on AF. In fact, I've occasionally been treated a bit better on AF than I have on Delta (and that is with the supposedly dreaded AF ground people). Of course, I've also had to have a DL ticket agent go and yell at AF in French for me on one occasion, but then, I've had to complain in Crown Rooms, or in writing, about some bad DL experiences as well. It all comes with the rest of the joys of travel.

KLM and SkyTeam: Getting Closer
 

It can't happen soon enough ... I've got to go to JNB ...

If you had a choice of flying through AMS or CDG what would your choice be? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Let me think http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif
Trying to recall how I like AMS airport, but those thoughts are all a blur http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

AMS, no question for me because I want to layover.

At the risk of sounding too "a pox on everyone's house," I don't know that KLM is any better than AF; they are both on par with mediocre American carriers. Shiphol is clearly better than CDG, but Paris (if you're laying over) is much nicer than Amsterdam. For some it may seem like a no-brainer, but I would really have to think about which is the lesser of two evils.

There is a hotel near the airport in Amsterdam that works well for my kind of layovers.
Also, KLM gives me the best chance of upgrading a ticket from OKC to JNB.

Then w/o any questions, you are clearly not a FF on KLM or AF.

In all my travel experience, I have never met a KLM employee that has been anything but very helpful. KLM customer service far surpases DL any day. Some of the nicest people! Also, DL at AMS, my favoriette station, I even have mobile numbers of a few agents incase I need a lift to the airport!