Vietnam Air to become full SkyTeam member in June

Vietnam Airlines will be admitted as a full member of SkyTeam on June 10 as announced by the national air carrier and the global airline alliance on their websites.
Vietnam Airlines said that being full SkyTeam membership would provide passengers with choices of fares, worldwide travel and ticket information, consistent and seamless services throughout the whole itineraries of SkyTeam airlines.
SkyTeam customers will also enjoy complimentary access to lounges and mileage accrual/redemption on all flights of SkyTeam member airlines that fly to more than 850 destinations all over the world.
SkyTeam’s current member airlines are Aeroflot, Aeroméxico, Air France, Alitalia, China Southern, Czech Airlines, Delta Air Lines, KLM and Korean Air, as well as two associate carriers Air Europa and Kenya Airways.
SkyTeam said on its website that Vietnam Airlines and Tarom were on track to become members in June. “At the moment, both airlines are audited and need to demonstrate fulfillment and understanding of the requirements to deliver the SkyTeam customer service standards. Both airlines are well on track to pass the audit successfully.”
A team of SkyTeam member airlines is guiding the two airlines through more than 100 membership requirements for technical communication links, recognition of frequent flyer programs, lounge access and priority baggage handling.
SkyTeam was formed in 2000. Its members transport 384 million passengers every year, have 116 million frequent flyer members and more than 415 lounges at airports worldwide.
Vietnam Airlines is expected to officiate a joining ceremony in Hanoi on June 10 after the SkyTeam governing board has approved its membership.
To celebrate the important milestone, Vietnam Airlines will knock off 10% for all the tickets booked on www.vietnamairlines.com from 9 p.m. on June 9 to 8:59 p.m. of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) on June 10.