SkyTeam is the world's second-largest global alliance. Full member carriers have 349,000 flights in October, according to the latest OAG data. That's lower than usual due to the suspension of Aeroflot, previously an important player, and the aftereffects of coronavirus, especially in Asia.

SkyTeam is 29% smaller by flights than Star Alliance (489,000) and 4% larger than oneworld (336,000). This month, SkyTeam members operate one in every eight services globally.

SkyTeam: October summarized

Delta is, of course, the largest SkyTeam carrier (just as American is for oneworld and United is for Star Alliance). Completing SkyTeam's top five carriers are China Eastern, Air France, Xiamen Airlines, and KLM. Virgin Atlantic will join next year, although it'll be one of the smaller members.

The importance of the USA and China is clear to see. Indeed, OAG shows that the two countries are responsible for nearly 250,000 SkyTeam flights – more than seven in every ten. Their enormous domestic markets primarily drive it. Then there's France, Mexico, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, Netherlands, Italy, Argentina, and Spain.

In terms of airports, Atlanta, the world's busiest, has more SkyTeam flights than any other, along with some 195 SkyTeam routes. It's followed by Amsterdam, Minneapolis, Paris CDG, Detroit, Salt Lake City, New York LaGuardia, Mexico City, New York JFK, and – the only Chinese airport in the top ten – Kunming.

An Air France Boeing 777-300ER in SkyTeam Livery flying in the sky.
Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying

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Amsterdam is number one

The following table shows the airports with at least 10 SkyTeam member carriers in October. With 14 members, Amsterdam has the most, although unless things change, it'll be joint first with London Heathrow once Virgin Atlantic completes its entry.

Some in the table, such as JFK and Heathrow, rank highly because they're 'global airports'; they have no difficulty attracting airlines irrespective of alliance. The 13 SkyTeam airlines serving Heathrow have 'only' 6% of its services. After all, the airport is not only a global airport but also a critical oneworld facility.

Delta B737-800
While Atlanta is naturally SkyTeam's busiest airport, it falls far short in terms of the number of member airlines. Photo: Delta Air Lines.

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Airports with the most SkyTeam airlines

Rank

Airport

Number of SkyTeam airlines in October

List of passenger airlines

1

Amsterdam

14

Aeromexico, Air Europa, Air France, China Airlines, China Eastern, Delta, Garuda Indonesia, ITA, Kenya Airways, KLM, Korean Air, Saudia, TAROM, Xiamen Airlines

2=

London Heathrow

13

Aeromexico, Air France, China Airlines, China Eastern, Delta, ITA, Kenya Airways, KLM, Korean Air, Middle East Airlines, Saudia, TAROM, Vietnam Airlines

2=

Paris CDG

13

Aeromexico, Air France, China Eastern, Czech Airlines, Delta, ITA, Kenya Airways, KLM, Korean Air, Middle East Airlines, Saudia, TAROM, Vietnam Airlines

3=

Frankfurt

12

Air Europa, Air France, China Airlines, China Eastern, Delta, ITA, KLM, Korean Air, Middle East Airlines, Saudia, TAROM, Vietnam Airlines

3=

New York JFK

12

Aerolineas Argentinas, Aeromexico, Air Europa, Air France, China Airlines, China Eastern, Delta, ITA, Kenya Airways, KLM, Korean Air, Saudia

4=

Bangkok Suvarnabhumi

10

Air France, China Airlines, China Eastern, Garuda Indonesia, Kenya Airways, KLM, Korean Air, Saudia, Vietnam Airlines, Xiamen Airlines

4=

Madrid

10

Aerolineas Argentinas, Aeromexico, Air Europa, Air France, Delta, ITA, KLM, Middle East Airlines, Saudia, TAROM

4=

Rome Fiumicino

10

Aerolineas Argentinas, Air Europa, Air France, Delta, ITA, KLM, Korean Air, Middle East Airlines, Saudia, TAROM

4=

Seoul Incheon

10

Air France, China Airlines, China Eastern, Delta, Garuda Indonesia, KLM, Korean Air, Saudia, Vietnam Airlines, Xiamen Airlines

Just three of the top airports

Notice that just three of SkyTeam's ten busiest airports are on the table. Indeed, while the likes of Atlanta, Minneapolis, Detroit, and Salt Lake City have so many flights, that is obviously because of Delta – not from a myriad of alliance carriers. For now, Atlanta, for example, is served by just four: Delta, Air France, KLM, and Korean Air.

What are your views about SkyTeam? Let us know in the comments.

  • Air France (SkyTeam Livery) Boeing 777-328(ER) F-GZNE
    SkyTeam
    Business Type:
    Airline Alliance
    Date Founded:
    2000-06-22
    CEO:
    Kristin Colvile
    Headquarters Location:
    Amsterdam, The Netherlands