China Southern recently issued its formal alliance-exit announcement. China Southern Airlines (01055) announced:

The company will complete all transition work related to leaving SkyTeam by December 31, 2019, and will officially withdraw from SkyTeam on January 1, 2020.The company will continue to maintain its existing codeshare cooperation with SkyTeam member airlines through bilateral cooperation, and will continue frequent flyer cooperation with SkyTeam members Xiamen Airlines, Air France, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Korean Air, Middle East Airlines, Czech Airlines, China Airlines, Vietnam Airlines, Air Europa, Aerolíneas Argentinas, Alitalia, Aeroflot and Saudia (collectively, the “SkyTeam partners”).

China Southern Sky Pearl Club members traveling on flights operated by SkyTeam partners (except China Eastern Airlines) will continue to enjoy mileage accrual, redemption, and elite membership benefits.

At the same time, effective January 1, 2020 (inclusive), the company will officially launch the “CZ Priority” service brand to replace “SkyPriority,” ensuring that the benefits enjoyed by the company’s Gold and Silver card members as well as SkyTeam partner Elite/Elite Plus members when flying on the company’s flights remain unchanged, including priority check-in, priority baggage, priority boarding, access to VIP lounges, and more. For more information on cooperation with each airline, please visit the China Southern Sky Pearl Club website.

As always, the company adheres to a customer-first philosophy and works with partners to create value for travelers. In addition to SkyTeam partners, the company has accelerated the expansion of its global network of “friends,” entering into bilateral codeshare agreements with American Airlines, British Airways, Finnair, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Qantas, JAL, and others, reaching destinations around the world. Passengers can travel between major cities worldwide via the company and its partners. The company and American Airlines have offered comprehensive frequent flyer cooperation since March 20, 2019, and the company signed a joint business agreement with British Airways on December 17, 2019, with frequent flyer cooperation also expected to launch in June 2020.

Let’s summarize the highlights:

  • After leaving SkyTeam, China Southern will still continue to cooperate with SkyTeam airlines except China Eastern Airlines. This means that the value of China Southern Gold card has increased significantly. Congrats to those who successfully matched to China Southern Gold card with IHG Spire.
  • By June 2020, the short-haul redemption powerhouse BA should be able to redeem China Southern flights officially, since both sides have already signed an agreement. See this 101 update
  • China Southern will further deepen cooperation with other airlines, especially oneworld carriers

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