User:75.166.36.102/sandbox

Why do airlines form alliances? It is a question of economics and the art of distribution. But why? It's seems simple, but it actually can make airlines billions of dollars more.

Let's use SkyTeam as an example in this article. (And no, I don't love SkyTeam any more than the others: OneWorld, Star Alliance. I'm just a #avgeek.) So, let's say I fly on KLM from Amsterdam to New York City, I land in New York and go to my hotel. After a week in New York City I go back to the airport to return to Amsterdam. At JFK International Airport, I discover KLM doesn't have a lounge there, [In this example I'm in First Class!] so I get permission to use Delta Airlines' Premium Lounge. How? That's all because KLM and Delta are both members of the SkyTeam Alliance.

Now let's say that once I arrive back at Amsterdam, I schedule myself to fly to Dubai. But I miss my tight connection and the plane already left. But Middle East Airlines (Anther SkyTeam member) has another flight leaving an hour later. Well, with SkyTeam, they can easily reschedule me to fly on the Middle East Airlines flight to Dubai. In the end, I'm happy that I'm not stuck in Amsterdam, SkyTeam didn't lose any money, and Dubai International Airport doesn't miss out on Duty Free sales. (I love Duty Free!)