Jump to content

Photo

Is SkyTeam really the worst airline alliance?


  • Please log in to reply
6 replies to this topic

#1
Avelo

Avelo

    ae4ever

  • Member
  • 1,328 posts

User's Awards

5    2   
It seems that SkyTeam, the last of the Big 3 alliances, isn't really "caring more about you"--but rather comes very far from living up to that motto. I can tell because they're not really a quality alliance on par with the likes of Star Alliance and Oneworld, but rather a rehab center for airlines with checkered histories (e.g., Aeroflot, Aerolíneas Argentinas, Alitalia, China Airlines, Garuda Indonesia, and Korean Air). Therefore, I think SkyTeam in reality has prioritized expansion at the expense of reputation, which therefore makes me perceive it as the worst alliance in the world. What do think of SkyTeam--do you agree that it's the worst airline alliance? Feel free to comment

#2
Avelo

Avelo

    ae4ever

  • Member
  • 1,328 posts

User's Awards

5    2   

<p>

Here is the industry knowledge from me.

Yes Skyteam's coverage is EXTREMELY lacking in some parts of the world (South America, Oceania, Africa), but they have the best Chinese (Come on, China Southern and Eastern in the Same alliance??) coverage, very good European and North American coverage.

In my opinion, I consider Skyteam to be quite a leader and innovator. Delta has their hands in many strategic carriers (GOL for example. Imagine if they joined and got Delta investment, they would rival LATAM), a nice JV with AF/KLM , Korean, and AeroMexico. They also make a boatload of cash which allows them to build up hubs like Seattle, Raleigh and Boston.

Yes, Alitalia and Aerolinas Argentinas are carriers with a troubled history ( I expect Alitalia to be kicked or leave, Aerolinas maybe leave), but if they left Skyteam wouldnt be hurt. Aeroflot , China Airlines, Garuda and Korean are GREAT partners. The Russian market may hopefully turn around and SU has a much larger network than S7 that allows you to fly Skyteam to very remote parts of the world. Taiwan is always a great market. Indonesia will hopefully get US service again and DL will connect directly to a VERY LARGE market. Korean is a great feeder to the rest of Asia.

What Skyteam really needs to do is the following (in my opinion):

  • Add Virgin Atlantic to the DL-AF-KLM JV or as an alliance partner
  • Add Virgin Australia to the alliance
  • Add a African partner better than Kenyan (RAM, RwandaAir , etc are unaligned).
  • Add GOL to alliance once Brazil turns the corner.
  • Potentially Steal Copa or Avianca from Star (both have been reviewing their status in the alliance)
  • Delta needs to stop being a baby and partner with a ME4 carrier in a interline arrangement.
  • Potentially add an Indian carrier , a few more in Asia to decrease dominance on Chinese carriers
  • Strengthen partnerships especially in Asia
  • Innovate and don't be a dick to eachother.
Take a look at this link: http://www.cbsnews.c...lobal-airlines/

#3
Znoxwl

Znoxwl

    Junior Member

  • Member
  • 9 posts

 

  • Potentially Steal Copa or Avianca from Star (both have been reviewing their status in the alliance)

 

Not sure Copa is stealable though, given its close ties with United.

 

Regarding the rehab part... Pretty funny indeed. Although I'd argue that Garuda Indonesia, China, and Korean airlines are mostly doing pretty well for the past decade in terms of safety – and they all have great on board service :P But for me, even without safety record in mind, EVA always comes before China Airlines and Asiana always comes before Korean Air ;)



#4
Avelo

Avelo

    ae4ever

  • Member
  • 1,328 posts

User's Awards

5    2   

Not sure Copa is stealable though, given its close ties with United.

Regarding the rehab part... Pretty funny indeed. Although I'd argue that Garuda Indonesia, China, and Korean airlines are mostly doing pretty well for the past decade in terms of safety – and they all have great on board service :P But for me, even without safety record in mind, EVA always comes before China Airlines and Asiana always comes before Korean Air ;)

So Star Alliance is better than SkyTeam in that sense, indeed

#5
Znoxwl

Znoxwl

    Junior Member

  • Member
  • 9 posts

Haha yeah.



#6
Avelo

Avelo

    ae4ever

  • Member
  • 1,328 posts

User's Awards

5    2   
Except Star has my least favorite legacy airline: United.

#7
Znoxwl

Znoxwl

    Junior Member

  • Member
  • 9 posts

Except Star has my least favorite legacy airline: United.

Same here but I'm a MileagePlus Gold member so I'm sticking with it. :( I'm always redeeming my points on Air Canada, ANA, and EVA whenever possible though! (AC when I'm European-bound, ANA and EVA when I'm Asian-bound) SA has most of the destinations that I most frequently travelling to well covered so... unfortunately being based in the US, United is my only option. 






0 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 0 guests, 0 anonymous users