It's official: Scandinavia's SAS sets a date for SkyTeam membership to begin
It's official: Scandinavian Airlines will become a full-fledged SkyTeam member Sept. 1.
SAS' switch from Star Alliance has long been known, but the exact date that it would officially join SkyTeam had been uncertain. Most recently, the sides would say only that SAS would exit Star at the end of August.
Now, frequent flyers in SAS' EuroBonus program have an exact date that they can expect alliance perks such as reciprocal mileage earning and elite benefits to begin.
"EuroBonus Silver members will be recognized as SkyTeam Elite level, while Gold and Diamond members will be recognized as Elite Plus," SAS said in a Monday statement. "This will offer them access to a network of 750+ airport lounges and SkyPriority services at eight airport touchpoints including priority check-in, boarding and baggage handling."
The move comes as SAS prepares to exit bankruptcy, with Air France-KLM taking a stake in the company as part of the process.
SAS was a founding member of the Star Alliance that counts United Airlines, Air Canada, Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines and Singapore Airlines among its more than two dozen member carriers.
Alliance shocker: SAS to tie up with Air France-KLM and SkyTeam, ditch Star Alliance
But the new ties with Air France-KLM — SkyTeam counts Air France as one of its founding members — prompted the switch that was first announced in October.
When it joins, SAS will become the 20th member of SkyTeam (not including Russian carrier Aeroflot, whose membership is suspended).
Delta Air Lines is the sole U.S. carrier in SkyTeam, which counts Aeromexico, Virgin Atlantic, Korean Air and China Airlines in its current lineup of members.
SkyTeam alliance guide: Member airlines, lounges and elite status
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