Originally published in Successful Meetings
magazine, December 2006Airline alliances can help planners with logistics and help attendees accrue frequent flyer miles, enjoy airport lounges, and transfer between airlines more easily
The Stars Alignedwww.staralliance.comPlanners can work with Star Alliance through its Conventions Plus program, which gives planners one point of contact and a Conventions Code for discounts that will be recognized by member airlines and travel agents. Conventions Plus is primarily for planners with at least 500 attendees coming from three or more countries on two or more continents; planners should also be working at least six months in advance. Star Alliance comprises Air Canada, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, bmi, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, Spanair, Swiss International Air Lines, TAP Portugal, Thai Airways International, United, US Airways, and VARIG Brazilian Airlines.
A Small Worldwww.oneworld.comThe eight-airline oneworld network is composed of: Aer Lingus, American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Iberia, LAN, and Qantas as well as each airline's affiliates. Three additional carriers—Japan Airlines, Malev, and Royal Jordanian—will join oneworld in early 2007. Aer Lingus will leave the oneworld network as of March 31, 2007, although it may retain frequent flyer program partnerships with oneworld members. According to Aer Lingus, the carrier has shifted its focus to serving as a low-cost point-to-point carrier, which is not the focus of the alliance. The oneworld alliance does not have a dedicated meetings program, but does offer programs for businesses of varying sizes.
A Team Effortwww.skyteam.comSkyTeam's Global Meetings is a discount program for meeting planners; once registered, planners receive a single contact for their event as well as an identifier code to give to attendees. The program includes discounts on attendee tickets and the potential for planners to earn free reward tickets. The SkyTeam group is made up of 10 airlines: Aeroflot, Aeromexico, Air France, Alitalia, Continental Airlines, CSA Czech Airlines, Delta, KLM, Korean Air, and Northwest Airlines. China Southern Airlines is on track to become an official member of SkyTeam in 2007. For pure entertainment, the SkyTeam site offers a downloadable screensaver and desktop wallpaper.
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