What alliance is Delta?

Delta is a founding member of SkyTeam.



Delta Air Lines is a founding member of the SkyTeam global airline alliance. Formed in June 2000, SkyTeam has grown to include approximately 19 member airlines in 2026, including Air France, KLM, Korean Air, Virgin Atlantic, and Aeromexico. Being part of this alliance allows Delta passengers to enjoy a "seamless" travel experience across a global network of over 1,000 destinations. For frequent flyers, this means you can earn and redeem Delta SkyMiles on any SkyTeam partner flight. If you have "Elite" status with Delta (Silver, Gold, Platinum, or Diamond), you are automatically recognized as a SkyTeam Elite or Elite Plus member, which grants you benefits like priority boarding, extra baggage allowances, and access to over 750 airport lounges worldwide—including the famous Air France lounges in Paris and the KLM Crown Lounges in Amsterdam. In 2026, Delta continues to be the dominant North American partner within the alliance, often using its SkyTeam connections to provide superior service to Europe and East Asia.

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Members of SkyTeam include Aerolíneas Argentinas, Aeroméxico, Air Europa, Air France, China Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, Czech Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Garuda Indonesia, ITA Airways, Kenya Airways, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Korean Air, Middle East Airlines, Saudia, TAROM, Vietnam Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, and ...

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Miles can be used for travel on Delta Air Lines, Delta Connection carriers (Endeavor Air, Inc., Republic Airways, and SkyWest) and on 30+ partner airlines. Learn about partner airline Award Travel. Looking for a round-trip ticket? You can book different experiences on the outbound and return flights.

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Whether it's your next business trip or a long-awaited getaway, we are here to help you prepare so you know what to expect on your next flight. SkyMiles members earn and use miles when flying with KLM. Medallion Members enjoy benefits like priority services, lounge access and more. Learn more about all the benefits.

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According to Forbes, Delta owns 49% of Virgin Atlantic and the same of Aeromexico. It also has joint ventures with Air-France-KLM, Korean Air, Virgin Australia, and China Eastern. The partnership with Aeromexico was crucial in Delta's bid to expand its Los Angeles sector.

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“This is an exciting time for customers of both Delta and Emirates as we launch our trans-Atlantic partnership. Our expanded partnership means a host of new destinations and travel options across Asia and North America, with seamless connectivity, world-class reliability and the industry's best customer service.

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There are three major airline alliances: SkyTeam, Star Alliance and Oneworld. Each has different partner airlines. You may have benefitted from an alliance without even realizing it.

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Emirates has collaborated with other airlines, but is not a member of any of the three global airline alliances – Oneworld, SkyTeam, or Star Alliance. In 2000, the airline briefly considered joining Star Alliance, but opted to remain independent.

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Delta is a member of SkyTeam while United is a member of Star Alliance. The airlines compete in every aspect of their offerings, from credit cards to loyalty programs.

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The current list of non-alliance partners includes:
  • Jet Airways.
  • Aegean Airlines - another leftover Star Alliance partner.
  • Air China - yet another leftover Star Alliance partner.
  • Hawaiian Airlines - (inter-island and South Pacific flights only).
  • South African Airways - another leftover Star Alliance partner.


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On April 15, 2008, Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines announced a merger agreement. The merger of the two carriers formed what was then the largest commercial airline in the world, with 786 aircraft. The Delta Air Lines brand was retained, while Northwest's brand officially ended in 2010.

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Chances are you've heard of SkyTeam because of its U.S. member airline, Delta. But there's more to SkyTeam than just one prominent airline. Founded in 2000, the alliance consists of 18 member airlines servicing over 1,036 destinations worldwide.

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Under the SkyMiles Mileage Expiration policy, miles do not expire. Delta reserves the right to deactivate or close an account under the following circumstances: Fraudulent activity occurs. A Member requests an account closure.

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