SkyTeam Members: The 18 Airlines and Elite Status Explained

Discover the SkyTeam Airline Alliance, a major player in global air travel. Founded in 2000 by Aeromexico, Air France, Delta Air Lines, and Korean Air, SkyTeam now brings together 18 partner airlines and connects travellers across an extensive network of destinations.

From its history to its vision for the future of aviation, including exclusive benefits for travellers and a complete list of member airlines, dive into the world of SkyTeam and discover how to make the most of it from Canada.

Short answer: as of September 2026, SkyTeam has 18 member airlines, including Air France, KLM, Delta Air Lines and Korean Air. According to SkyTeam’s official website, its network serves more than 960 destinations in over 165 countries. Air Canada is not a member: it belongs to Star Alliance. You cannot join SkyTeam directly. You earn Elite or Elite Plus status through a member airline’s loyalty program, such as Flying Blue.

Based in France or flying from Europe? See the SkyTeam guide on Milesopedia France (in French).

SkyTeam Alliance – Which Airlines Are Members of SkyTeam

Here are all the member airlines that are part of the SkyTeam Alliance

Aerolíneas Argentinas
Aeroméxico
Air Europa
Air France
China Airlines
China Eastern Airlines
Delta Air Lines
Garuda Indonesia
Kenya Airways
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
Korean Air
Middle East Airlines
Saudia
Scandinavian Airlines SAS
TAROM
Vietnam Airlines
Virgin Atlantic
Xiamen Airlines

Air Canada is not part of the SkyTeam Airline Alliance members, but rather of Star Alliance. Aeroflot, which was previously a member, has been suspended from the alliance due to the war in Ukraine.

SkyTeam Alliance – How to Become a SkyTeam Member

Does the SkyTeam Airline Alliance have its own loyalty program? The short answer is no, but if you dig a little deeper, you’ll find the reality is more complex.

Although the SkyTeam Airline Alliance does not have its own loyalty program and you cannot become a direct SkyTeam member, you can achieve an equivalent status through a participating member airline’s frequent flyer program.

To do so, you first need to become a loyal member of a SkyTeam Airline Alliance member airline and reach a certain status level within its frequent flyer program before you can earn SkyTeam status.

For example, with Air France’s loyalty program, the SkyTeam Elite Plus status is equivalent to Flying Blue Gold and Flying Blue Platinum statuses.

SkyTeam Airline Alliance – SkyTeam Status Levels and Their Benefits

There are two SkyTeam status levels in total:

SkyTeam Elite
SkyTeam Elite Plus

Each offers a wide range of exclusive benefits and rewards to its holders.

SkyTeam Elite

As a SkyTeam Elite passenger, you enjoy a wide range of benefits and privileges, including:

Priority check-in: SkyTeam Elite passengers have access to dedicated check-in desks, allowing for a smoother and faster check-in process.
Priority boarding: Elite passengers can board the aircraft earlier, giving them plenty of time to get settled and store their carry-on baggage.
Preferred seating: SkyTeam Elite members often have access to preferred seating, such as seats with more legroom or near the front of the cabin.
Additional baggage allowance: Elite members generally receive a higher baggage allowance, enabling them to bring more luggage on their flights.
Access to airport lounges: Elite passengers can enjoy access to luxurious airport lounges, offering a comfortable and relaxing environment to unwind before or after their flight.

SkyTeam Elite Plus

SkyTeam Elite Plus offers all the above benefits, plus the following:

Guaranteed reservations on full flights: Elite Plus passengers are guaranteed a seat on full long-haul flights if they have a full-price ticket, at least 24 hours before departure.
Priority security and immigration: Elite Plus members can benefit from accelerated security and immigration queues at certain airports, saving valuable time.
SkyPriority services: Elite Plus members have access to SkyPriority services, including priority check-in, security, boarding and baggage handling, allowing them to travel with complete peace of mind.
Recognition within the alliance worldwide: Elite Plus status is recognized by all member airlines of the SkyTeam alliance, regardless of the airline from which the status was acquired.

SkyTeam Airline Alliance – How to Earn and Redeem Miles with SkyTeam

Whether you fly with one of the member airlines or use a partner credit card, there are many ways to maximize your SkyTeam Miles. Earning and redemption conditions vary according to the frequent flyer program chosen, so it’s important to be well-informed and compare options.

Flying with SkyTeam Partner Airlines

To earn miles in the SkyTeam alliance, simply book an eligible flight with one of the member airlines via the frequent flyer program of your choice – for example, Flying Blue (Air France-KLM) or SkyMiles (Delta). The number of miles earned generally depends on the distance flown, the fare class and the type of ticket.

As each program applies its own rates, it’s a good idea to check each airline’s specific conditions before booking.

Once your points have been accumulated, you can redeem them for award tickets on any member airline of the alliance, subject to availability. Reservations are made directly from your member space on the website of the frequent flyer program to which you belong.

Using SkyTeam Partner Credit Cards

If you don’t see a Canadian airline in SkyTeam, don’t worry. As Canadians, there’s a list of frequent flyer programs that offer points transfers to member airlines of the SkyTeam alliance. We’ve published an article detailing the main Canadian transferable points programs.

Notable credit cards include the American Express Cobalt^® Card, which lets you transfer Membership Rewards points to Air France KLM Flying Blue. The same applies to other American Express Membership Rewards credit cards, such as the American Express^® Gold Rewards Card and the American Express^® Platinum Card.

Our credit card selection
Credit card	Annual fee	Welcome offer
American Express Cobalt^® Card Apply NowCompare	Annual fee$191.88	Welcome offerGet 1,250 points after $750 in purchases per month for 12 months Up to 15,000 points Get 1,250 points after $750 in purchases per month for 12 months	Apply NowCompare
American Express Platinum Card^® Apply NowCompare	Annual fee$799	Welcome offerAfter $10,000 in 3 months Up to 100,000 points After $10,000 in 3 months	Apply NowCompare
Business Platinum Card^® from American Express Apply NowCompare	Annual fee$799	Welcome offerAfter $15,000 in 3 months Up to 120,000 points After $15,000 in 3 months	Apply NowCompare
American Express^® Business Gold Rewards Card^® Apply NowCompare	Annual fee$199	Welcome offerAfter $30,000 in 12 months Up to 70,000 points After $30,000 in 12 months	Apply NowCompare
American Express^® Green Card Apply NowCompare	Annual fee$0	Welcome offerAfter $1,000 in 3 months 10,000 points After $1,000 in 3 months	Apply NowCompare

Marriott Bonvoy credit cards can also be used to transfer points to many other SkyTeam airline partners, such as Korean Air SKYPASS, Delta Air Lines SkyMiles, Aeromexico Club Premier and more. However, these transfers often result in a loss of value, so it’s important to think carefully about how you intend to use your points.

Our credit card selection
Credit card	Annual fee	Welcome offer
Marriott Bonvoy^® American Express^®* Card Apply NowCompare	Annual fee$120	Welcome offerAfter $3,000 in 3 months Up to 70,000 points After $3,000 in 3 months	Apply NowCompare
Marriott Bonvoy^® Business American Express^®* Card Apply NowCompare	Annual fee$150	Welcome offerAfter $5,000 in 3 months Up to 80,000 points After $5,000 in 3 months	Apply NowCompare

SkyTeam Airline Alliance – Is SkyTeam Really Worth It?

The SkyTeam airline alliance has advantages and disadvantages to consider. Here are some of the main advantages and disadvantages:

Benefits

Global connectivity: SkyTeam’s extensive global network makes it easy to travel to almost any corner of the world. With over 960 destinations in more than 165 countries (according to SkyTeam, as of September 2026), passengers can easily plan multi-destination trips using the alliance’s efficient connectivity.
Smooth transfers: SkyTeam member airlines work in harmony to ensure smooth transfers for passengers with connecting flights. This reduces waiting times and improves the overall travel experience.
Worldwide recognition: Elite status with a member airline is recognized by all SkyTeam carriers, enabling passengers to enjoy uniform benefits and recognition, regardless of the airline they fly with.

Virgin Atlantic joins the SkyTeam Alliance - SkyteamFinal_robinson [Converted].ai_v1_A2_GRID_Outlines_Final

Cons

Limited Alliance hubs: SkyTeam’s major hubs are mainly located in Europe, Asia and North America, which may be less convenient for travellers who frequently visit other regions. For example, Aerolineas is the only airline operating in South America, which could result in less efficient travel itineraries and a lack of flexibility when it comes to earning and redeeming points.
The challenges of elite status: Achieving and maintaining elite status as part of a frequent flyer program can be competitive and challenging. SkyTeam Elite and Elite Plus status can require significant flying and spending on specific member airlines, making it more difficult for infrequent travellers to enjoy elite benefits.

SkyTeam Alliance – Bottom Line

The SkyTeam airline alliance, with its diverse list of member carriers, connects hundreds of destinations on every continent. Through cooperation and connectivity, the alliance creates a consistent travel experience for passengers across continents. Whether for business or leisure, SkyTeam’s commitment to excellence makes it the preferred choice for travellers seeking convenience, rewards and a touch of adventure.

Our tips for optimizing your Miles when travelling with SkyTeam airlines? Compare programs (some itineraries cost less in miles depending on the program used), look out for promotions (such as Flying Blue Promo Awards) and use your American Express cards to transfer your miles for use with SkyTeam member airlines. Last but not least, be quick about it, as availability for award tickets can go fast, especially in high season.

Compare

American Express Cobalt^® Card

American Express Amex Membership Rewards

Annual fee: $191.88
Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$255Total$255Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.: $255
Welcome offerGet 1,250 points after $750 in purchases per month for 12 months: Up to 15,000 points

The American Express Cobalt^® Card is a versatile American Express card, whether you want points for travel or cash back.

American Express Cobalt^® Card welcome offer

The welcome bonus is paid out monthly over your first 12 months. You earn 1,250 Membership Rewards points for each monthly billing period in which you charge $750 in net purchases to your card, in any category (1X, 2X, 3X or 5X). That adds up to 15,000 Membership Rewards points over the year, a welcome offer valued at $255.

Earning the full bonus means $9,000 in net purchases spread across 12 monthly billing periods. This offer rewards steady monthly spending rather than one large purchase.

You can use these points as statement credits on everyday or travel purchases, at the same rate either way: 1,000 points = $10.

You can also transfer them to Aeroplan, Avios (British Airways and Qatar Airways), Flying Blue, Marriott Bonvoy or Hilton Honors. With the full welcome bonus, that is a choice between:

15,000 Aeroplan points
15,000 Avios points
15,000 Flying Blue Miles
18,000 Marriott Bonvoy points

American Express Cobalt^® Card benefits

Here is what the card gives you, starting with the benefits cardholders use most.

5X points on eligible eats and drinks in Canada: groceries, restaurants and bars, home food delivery and convenience stores. A spend cap applies.
3X points on eligible streaming subscriptions in Canada.
2X points on eligible gas, public transit and ride sharing purchases in Canada.
1 additional point on eligible hotel and car rental bookings made through American Express Travel Online.
1X point per dollar on everything else, with no category restrictions.
Points that hold the same value either way: 1,000 points = $10 as a statement credit, or a 1:1 transfer to several airline and hotel loyalty programs.
No minimum income requirement, as with every American Express Canada card.
Additional cards at no extra cost: the first and every other supplementary card is $0.
The Hotel Collection: a room upgrade when available, 12pm check-in and late check-out when available, and up to $100 USD in hotel credit on amenities charged to the room for a stay of two or more consecutive nights, booked through American Express Travel.
Front Of The Line^® presale and reserved tickets for concerts and theatre performances, plus offers and events curated for cardmembers through Amex Experiences.
A soft credit check before you apply: you can see whether you will be approved with no impact to your credit score. This applies to American Express personal card applications.

The 5X categories and where they apply

The 5X rate is the reason most people carry this card. In Canada it covers four kinds of merchants:

Groceries: Metro, IGA, Sobeys, Super C, Safeway, Whole Foods.
Restaurants and bars: sit-down meals, takeout and drinks.
Home food delivery.
Convenience stores: Couche-Tard, 7-Eleven.

The 2X rate covers gas stations such as Esso, Shell and Petro-Canada, along with public transit and ride sharing.

With the American Express Cobalt^® Card, you earn between 1 and 5 points per dollar:

Category	Points per dollar
Grocery (Metro, IGA, Sobeys, Super C, etc.)	5
Home food delivery	5
Restaurants and bars	5
Convenience stores	5
Streaming services	3
Service station	2
Transport	2
Travel	1
Other	1

That works out to a 1 to 5% return on those purchases. For example, if you spend $1,000 per month across groceries, restaurants and food delivery, you earn $50 back per month, or $600 per year from that category alone. Transfer the points to a program such as Aeroplan instead and the return can be higher.

You can also stack these categories with the hundreds of stores that offer 5x points.

American Express Cobalt^® Card insurance coverage

The card comes with a broad insurance package. The amounts below are the coverage limits; conditions, age limits and exclusions are set out in the certificate of insurance linked in the Insurance section above.

Travel insurance

Emergency medical: up to $5,000,000 for the first 15 days of a trip.
Travel accident: accidental death and dismemberment of up to $250,000 for you, your spouse and dependent children under age 23 when travelling on a common carrier (plane, train, bus or ship) and the tickets are charged to your card. Supplementary cardholders and their families are covered too.
Flight delay: up to $500 for necessary hotel, meal and sundry expenses bought within 48 hours when you are delayed or denied boarding for four hours or more and no other transportation is available. This $500 is an aggregate limit per occurrence, shared with missed connection and delayed baggage coverage.
Delayed baggage: up to $500 for essential clothing and sundries bought within four days when your outbound luggage is delayed six hours or more. This $500 is an aggregate limit per occurrence, shared with missed connection and flight delay coverage.
Lost or stolen baggage: up to $500 per occurrence for all insured persons combined, for checked or carry-on baggage and personal effects in transit, when the airline tickets are charged to your card. Within that limit, jewellery is capped at $300 per occurrence and golf clubs, including golf bags, at $250 per occurrence.
Hotel and motel burglary: up to $500 against the loss of most personal items if your hotel or motel is burglarized, when the stay is charged to your card.

Rental car insurance

Theft and damage coverage is included for a rental car with an MSRP, for its model year, of up to $85,000 excluding all taxes, for rentals of up to 48 days. To use it, decline the Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) or any similar option from the rental company and charge the full rental to your card. There is no cost for this coverage, and it replaces the daily insurance the rental company charges, usually $16 to $23 per day.

Mobile device insurance

Your device is covered for up to $1,000 per occurrence when it is charged to the card, for up to two years from the date of purchase. The payout is based on the depreciated value of the device, which falls by 2% of the purchase price for every completed month, less a 10% deductible. Theft and accidental damage coverage starts on the 91st day after purchase, because the first 90 days are covered by purchase protection.

Purchase protection and extended warranty

Eligible items charged to your card are insured against accidental physical damage or theft for 90 days from the purchase date, up to $1,000 per occurrence for all items combined. The card also extends the original manufacturer’s warranty by up to one additional year on eligible items, with indemnification limited to $10,000 per insured item and $25,000 per Cardmember per policy year for all items combined.

American Express Cobalt^® Card fees

Card fee: $15.99 per month, which equals $191.88 per year, for residents outside Quebec. Quebec residents are billed $191.88 per year.
Additional cards: $0.
Purchase interest rate: 21.99%.
Cash advance interest rate: 21.99%.
Foreign transaction fee: 2.5%.
Minimum income required: none.

Because the fee is billed monthly rather than in one annual charge, you can stop and restart the cost in step with how much you are actually using the card.

Legal

American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. For full details and current product information, click the Apply Now link. If you apply and get approved for an American Express Card, we may receive compensation from American Express, which can be in the form of monetary payment.

Annual fee

Primary card$191.88

Additional card$0

Annual income required

Individual$0

Household$0

Conversion fees

2.5%

Earning rate

5xRestaurants
5xGroceries
3xStreaming
2xTransit
2xGas
1xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$1,675

2nd Year Value$799

Transfer partners

AeroplanAirline
British Airways ClubAirline
Cathay Asia MilesAirline
Etihad GuestAirline
Flying BlueAirline
Hilton HonorsHotel
Marriott BonvoyHotel

Travel insurance

Travel medical (under 55)Up to $5,000,000 / 15 days

Travel medical (55-64)Up to $5,000,000 / 15 days

Delayed BaggageUp to $500

Lost BaggageUp to $500

Flight DelayUp to $500

Hotel BurglaryUp to $500

Travel AccidentUp to $250,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionUp to $1,000 / 90 days

Extended Warranty+1 years

Mobile DeviceUp to $1,000 / 2 years

Auto Rental Collision (primary)Up to $85,000 / 48 days

SkyTeam Alliance – Frequently Asked Questions

Which airlines are SkyTeam members?

As of September 2026, SkyTeam has 18 member airlines according to its official website: Aerolíneas Argentinas, Aeroméxico, Air Europa, Air France, China Airlines, China Eastern, Delta Air Lines, Garuda Indonesia, Kenya Airways, KLM, Korean Air, Middle East Airlines, SAS, Saudia, TAROM, Vietnam Airlines, Virgin Atlantic and XiamenAir. No Canadian airline is a member.

What is the SkyTeam alliance?

SkyTeam is a global airline alliance founded in 2000, currently bringing together 18 major member airlines including Air France, KLM, and Delta Air Lines. It offers an extensive worldwide network of destinations and exclusive benefits for frequent travellers.

How do I get a membership card with SkyTeam?

SkyTeam does not offer its own membership card: you have to join a member airline’s frequent flyer program (such as Flying Blue at Air France and KLM).

How do I get SkyTeam Elite Plus status?

SkyTeam Elite Plus status is achieved by reaching the top level of a member airline’s frequent flyer program, such as Flying Blue Gold or Platinum with Air France and KLM. This status entitles you to alliance-wide privileges, such as lounge access and priority services.

Is Aeroflot still part of SkyTeam?

No, Aeroflot has been suspended from the SkyTeam alliance due to the war in Ukraine, and is therefore no longer an active member.

Is Air Canada part of SkyTeam?

No, Air Canada is not a member of SkyTeam, but belongs to Star Alliance, another major global airline alliance.