GUIDE: The SkyTeam Alliance: Top Airlines to Consider & Is it Worth Switching?

If you’ve been re-thinking your airline loyalty lately, you’re not alone. The good news is that there are plenty of frequent flyer programmes to choose from, many of which work well when flying from the UK.

Most airlines are part of one of the three major alliances: Oneworld (e.g. BA/Qatar/Cathay Pacific), Star Alliance (e.g., Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines & Turkish Airlines), or SkyTeam. But which airline alliance is best for you?

SkyTeam has become a compelling option in recent years thanks to tempting status matches from Virgin Atlantic and Flying Blue, multiple new partnerships, an upcoming Eurostar collaboration, and Virgin Atlantic’s UK base.

Even if you choose to be loyal to Oneworld or Star Alliance, is it worth having SkyTeam status too as a secondary option?

This article details the essential things you need to know about the SkyTeam alliance and some of the programmes worth considering as part of our series covering the most popular airline loyalty programmes and alliances. 

The SkyTeam Alliance

The SkyTeam Alliance was founded in 2000 and is the second largest of the three global airline alliances. There are over 13,800 daily flights to 145+ countries worldwide.

At present, the alliance has 18 member airlines, including:

SkyTeam Member airlines:

• Aerolíneas Argentinas
• Aeromexico
• Air Europa
• Air France
• China Airlines
• China Eastern Airlines
• Delta 
• Garuda Indonesia
• Kenya Airways
• KLM
• Korean Air
• Middle East Airlines
• Saudia
• Scandinavian Airlines (SAS)
• TAROM
• Vietnam Airlines
• Virgin Atlantic
• XiamenAir

SkyTeam Elite Vs Elite Plus

Each SkyTeam member airline aligns its own status tiers to SkyTeam Elite or Elite Plus, giving you recognised benefits across the alliance.

SkyTeam Elite

SkyTeam Elite is the entry-level status tier. The benefits are useful but relatively limited and include:

• 10kg Extra Baggage Allowance or one extra bag (airline dependent)
• Priority Check-In, bag drop, and boarding
• Preferred seating (airline dependent)
• Priority Standby and Waitlisting

SkyTeam Elite does have more benefits than Star Alliance Silver, but it still falls short.

SkyTeam Elite Plus

At the top tier, Elite Plus benefits are much improved and include:

• 20kg extra baggage allowance or one extra bag (airline dependent)
• Priority at transfer desks via SkyPriority lanes
• Priority baggage handling
• Guaranteed full-fare economy class booking on long-haul international flights of 6+ hours if sold out in economy (when booked 24 hours before)
• Priority at immigration and security lanes, where SkyPriority (where available)
• Lounge Access

This is the aspirational SkyTeam tier to aim for. If you’re thinking of switching to SkyTeam, you should consider how achievable it is to earn Elite Plus status equivalent to your chosen airline.

SkyTeam Lounges

SkyTeam Elite Plus gives you access to more than 750 lounges worldwide. These include a mix of SkyTeam-branded lounges and member airline lounges.

Lounge access is available when travelling on a same-day SkyTeam-operated international flight, even if you are flying in Economy. You may bring one guest, but they must be travelling on a SkyTeam-operated flight. Lounge access is available from 3 hours before your flight (excluding connections)

Since 1st April 2025, SkyTeam Elite Plus members can also access selected lounges when travelling on domestic-only SkyTeam itineraries, although this is not available at every location. Policies vary by airline, especially Aerolíneas and Delta. See the list here.

You can use the SkyTeam lounge finder to find lounges here

Top SkyTeam Loyalty Programmes to Consider in 2026

There are many fantastic SkyTeam loyalty programmes to choose from, and the one you select really matters. While SkyTeam benefits apply across the alliance, individual programmes often have extra benefits for their own status holders.

You should also consider how easy it is to earn and renew status from the UK, how valuable the miles are when redeemed, whether there are multiple ways to earn beyond flying, and whether the airline’s network fits your travel patterns.

Generally, we think the top options for UK-based flyers are the Virgin Atlantic Flying Club and Flying Blue. That said, these programmes are not the right answer for everyone. This will ultimately be based on your travel patterns and individual circumstances.

Here’s everything you need to know:

1. The Virgin Atlantic Flying Club

Virgin Atlantic is certainly the most convenient SkyTeam airline, as it’s the only member with a UK base. If you’ve become frustrated with loyalty programme changes elsewhere, The Virgin Atlantic Flying Club has become a credible alternative.

Pros:

• Heathrow hub with departures from Belfast (connecting), Manchester, and Edinburgh
• A large long-haul network
• Virgin Points never expire
• Every seat can be booked with points + great redemption deals via Saver Award Seats. Discover the best ways to spend Virgin Points here.
• Earn tier points on reward flights.
• Silver benefits go beyond SkyTeam Elite, from extra baggage allowance to Virgin Hotels benefits.
• Gold benefits beyond SkyTeam Elite Plus (e.g., reward vouchers and the ability to gift Silver status).
• Many ways to earn miles with Virgin Red (e.g., credit cards and Virgin brands such as Virgin Voyages and Virgin Trains Ticketing). It’s the best SkyTeam option if you mainly collect Points beyond flying.
• A range of non-SkyTeam partners, including ITA Airways, IndiGo, LATAM, South African Airways, WestJet, Virgin Australia, All Nippon Airways, and Air New Zealand.
• An excellent long-haul Upper Class product
• Soft landing when you don’t earn enough tier points to renew status.
• Excellent Clubhouse lounges (Virgin Gold and SkyTeam Elite Plus members when travelling on a same-day Virgin Atlantic or Delta-operated international flight).

Cons: 

• Dynamic pricing and high surcharges for redemptions
• Earning tier points with partners is less flexible than other programmes.
• No short-haul network (though you can utilise the SkyTeam network)
• Virgin Points have been devalued in recent years.
• Partner reward availability can be limited.

Qualifying for Status:

Virgin Atlantic has an ongoing status match that lets you match your status from qualifying airlines, as long as you have a flight booked in Economy for Silver or Premium/Upper for Gold.

Without a status match, you’ll need the following for Virgin Status:

2. Flying Blue – Air France and KLM

Flying Blue, the joint loyalty programme of Air France and KLM, is also a major contender. There’s no requirement to fly with KLM/Air France to earn status (excluding Ultimate), which immediately gives Flying Blue more flexibility. If your travel patterns involve regular European connections or onward long-haul trips via a major hub, Flying Blue can fit far more naturally into your routine.

Pros:

• Reciprocal partnership with Accor. Earn Miles on eligible Accor stays (and ALL points on Air France/KLM spend), with some one-off welcome bonuses when linking accounts.
• SkyTeam Elite Plus at Gold 
• XP earned based on cabin and distance
• Surplus XP can roll over (up to 300 XP) toward the following year
• Connections from a huge range of UK airports to hubs at CDG and AMS.
• Monthly Promo Rewards with discounts on selected routes
• A soft landing status policy (drop one tier if you don’t requalify)
• Wide range of non-SkyTeam partners (e.g., airBaltic, Etihad, Malaysia Airlines, Qantas, and Transavia).
• Transfers from AMEX and Revolut
• From 4th May 2026, Flying Blue miles expire after 24 months without qualifying activity, although earning activity will make all your miles valid for 24 months – More info here.
• Platinum for Life after 10 consecutive years at Platinum
• Ability to redeem miles for Air France La Première (Platinum and above only)

Cons:

• Revenue-based mile earning on Air France and KLM tickets
• No UK base (you must usually connect via Paris or Amsterdam)
• Dynamic award pricing
• Taxes and surcharges can be high on long-haul premium redemptions

Qualifying for Status:

Flying Blue occasionally runs paid status matches. At the moment, you can match your British Airways Status with Flying Blue.

Without a status match, you’ll need the following to qualify:

Other SkyTeam Loyalty Programmes Worth Considering

3. SAS Eurobonus

SAS moved from Star Alliance to SkyTeam in 2024. The airline has the major benefit of a European base. One quick hop to Copenhagen (main hub), Stockholm, or Oslo, and you’ve got many routes to choose from. 

Pros:

• Partner flights count towards status.
• No need to fly SAS exclusively – you can earn status-earning points on SAS and selected partners.
• Fixed price award tickets with published partner award charts
• Achievable status thresholds compared with many competitors
• Ability to gift Silver or Gold status at higher tiers
• Lifetime Gold option
• Bilateral partnership with Singapore Airlines,
• Free drinks in Economy and no points expiry at Diamond 
• No booking fees for SAS Bonus trips

Cons:

• A smaller long-haul network
• Recent points devaluation in 2025

Qualifying for Status:

4. Delta

If you mainly fly to the US, Delta is a niche but compelling option. Though Delta’s partnership with Virgin is great, there are specific benefits of direct Delta status, especially if you often connect onward once you land in the US.

Pros:

• Complimentary domestic upgrades on Delta-operated US flights for Medallion members (depending on tier), not including basic Economy fares.
• Miles don’t expire.
• Very low fees on US domestic redemptions
• Complimentary upgrades with advanced notice, subject to availability and your status tier.
• Redemptions with a range of non-alliance partners, such as LATAM and WestJet
• Choice benefits, such as Regional upgrade certificates 
• An AMEX Membership Rewards transfer partner

Cons:

• Status qualification is primarily spend-based via MQDs.
• Limited ways to earn points from the UK beyond flying
• Delta does not publish a public fixed-price award chart
• Partner redemption availability can be sporadic, and some require a call.
• Fewer UK earning options

Qualifying for Status:

There’s also a Delta status challenge. You’ll get complimentary status for 90 days if you match your status with an eligible airline, after which you’ll need to meet the set requirements to renew your status. Apply for the challenge here.

SkyTeam Status Via Status Matches

Matching your status with one of these niche airlines will get you SkyTeam status and benefits across the alliance.

Vietnam Airlines Lotusmiles

This paid match will get you 12 months of elite status. Importantly, you can match airline (Silver-Platinum) or hotel status (Silver and Gold only). This could be a great option to get your foot in the door if you don’t yet have airline status.

If you’re looking to requalify, most tiers can be reached with miles or segments. There are published redemption tables too (with limited flexibility), but the loyalty programme comes with poor UK earning opportunities and no UK card transfer options.

You can apply for the status match here.

Kenya Airways Asante Rewards

Kenya Airways also has an ongoing paid status match. You can match hotel (up to Gold Elite Plus), airline (up to Platinum Elite Plus), or credit card ‘status’ (Silver Elite only).

Apply for the Kenya Airways status match here

Read our full airline status match guide here

Which is the Best SkyTeam Loyalty Programme for You? What to Consider

Requalification: Status matches are temporary. Take a close look at the criteria for your preferred status tier before making a decision. Some airlines are more flexible around earning status via partners than others.

Earning Miles Beyond Flying: While credit card spend is often one of the most lucrative ways to earn miles beyond flying, it is usually sensible to choose a programme that has multiple ways to earn miles. Some have shopping and hotel booking portals, but others have limited UK partners. 

Miles Expiry: Some programmes have miles that never expire, whereas others have strict expiry dates.

Hub Airport and Direction: Virgin has the major benefit of a Heathrow base and a range of regional airport departures. Air France and KLM do not have a UK base, but there are many more regional connections onward to AMS and CDG. Other programmes may only make sense if you regularly travel in specific directions (though remember that with some airlines, there is no requirement to fly your chosen airline).

Specific Status Benefits: Though you’ll get SkyTeam benefits across the alliance depending on your tier, some loyalty programmes have specific benefits not available across the alliance (e.g., Flying Blue Platinum gives you access to La Première redemptions).

Redemption Value: Some programmes have dynamic pricing, whereas others have fixed award charts. Two programmes may give you access to the same seat, but at very different mileage levels and with very different taxes. This is worth researching in depth before you make your decision.

Soft Landing: Some airlines have a ‘soft landing’ approach whereby if you don’t requalify for your current status level, your status will drop by one tier. Others will drop you all the way to the base tier.

Credit Card Transfer Options

• AMEX Membership Rewards Points: Flying Blue, The Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, SAS, and Delta SkyMiles.
• HSBC reward points from Premier credit cards: Flying Blue
• Virgin Credit Cards: 2 card options (a free one and a £160 per year one). Earn Points on spend and earn Virgin upgrade vouchers upon qualifying spend. 
• Marriott: You can earn points on your spend via the Marriott Bonvoy AMEX. SkyTeam has several Marriott transfer partners, including Flying Blue, Delta, and Virgin.

Is the SkyTeam Alliance Worth Switching To?

Switching to SkyTeam has become a popular option in recent years, starting with the overhaul of the British Airways Club, then the tempting Virgin and Flying Blue status matches.

SkyTeam Elite is useful, but Elite Plus is where the real value starts, with lounge access and plenty of other benefits.

In my opinion, the top options when based in the UK are the Virgin Atlantic Flying Club and Flying Blue. Delta and SAS are also great niche options that may work better for you. To get SkyTeam status, you also have the option of the Vietnam Airlines and Kenya Airways status matches. With SkyTeam having 18 member airlines, there are plenty of other options that may work better for you. Some of the other top options include Saudia, Air Europa, and Korean Air. 

The airline you choose is largely based on your travel patterns and which benefits matter most to you. If making a full switch isn’t right for you, it’s always a good idea to have status with more than one airline alliance. 

Which SkyTeam airline loyalty programme is your programme of choice? Let us know in the comments below:

Make sure you also read our other alliance and airline guides:

• Oneworld comparison
• Star Alliance comparison
• Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
• Qatar Privilege Club
• Iberia Plus
• Emirates Skywards
• Aer Lingus AerClub
• Air France/KLM – Flying Blue
• Cathay Pacific