Digital Spine Continues to Open Up New Opportunities for Members and Customers

Unique to SkyTeam, the Digital Spine bridges the technology differences between alliance members so their systems can exchange messages and “talk” to each other, offering customers greater simplicity and convenience.

Delta and Aeromexico were the first airlines to go live last year. The move meant customers flying on an itinerary with the two airlines could view seat maps and purchase seat products for their entire journey, all from one website – regardless of which SkyTeam member they booked their ticket with.

At last month’s Alliance Board meeting all, members present committed to connecting to the Spine in one capacity or another by the end of 2020.

• Already connected are AM and DL (for seats) and KL (for baggage tracking)
• Joining in Q3 and Q4 2019 are: KE (for seats and baggage tracking), AF (for baggage tracking) and MU (for baggage tracking and seats) and AZ (for baggage tracking).
• Followed by OK, KQ, UX, MF, SU, SV, CI, VN, GA, ME, AR by the end of 2020.

SkyTeam CEO and Managing Director, Kristin Colvile, confirmed SkyTeam is now working towards making the Spine an open platform, meaning the technology will eventually be opened up to partners of member airlines, helping create a truly effortless experience for customers.

Kristin said: “SkyTeam’s role is about multi-lateral connections; we are growing from an established network to a digitally connected, customer-centric alliance.

“We listened to customers, they told us what they wanted. The Digital Spine has been created with customers in mind, and the technology is complementary to what our members are developing.”

As well as exchanging seat maps and ancillary products, the Digital Spine also provides the backbone for SkyTeam’s bag tracking technology and seamless check-in.

SkyTeam has now completed an enhancement that will enable all carriers to connect to the Spine for seats in the MyTrips phase of the customer journey. The next step is to further develop the technology so that airlines can connect to the platform during the initial booking phase.

Other plans include using the Spine to create an ancillary warehouse and to facilitate payment with miles. SkyTeam is also actively working to enhance the Digital Spine’s functionalities to support the airlines’ settlement and servicing processes so that each of our members benefits from fair, transparent and efficient connections to this innovative technology.