It's not just the flight that matters, according to a top Skyteam boss, it's the airport experience that is vital for the future of alliances.
According to Gordon Humpherys, Skyteam's vice president airport services, colocating airlines into terminals with their fellow alliance members means a better passenger experience, reduced minimum connection times, and lower costs for airlines.
"We can make much more effective use of what are normally limited airport resources," he said.
Speaking to ABTN at Skyteam's ten-year anniversary celebrations in London, Humpherys said Skyteam will be focusing in 2011 on airports in Brussels, Budapest, Athens, Cairo, Frankfurt, Hong Kong and Venice.
Skyteam is also currently working on its second benchmark facility in Beijing, following on the success of it's first, Heathrow's Terminal 4.
The new combined facility in Beijing, due to open next year, will feature a new Skyteam-branded premium check-in area and lounge.
For economy passengers, kiosks will be provided for check-in and manned counters for baggage drop only.
Traditional check-in for economy passengers is an "anachronism", he said, as it wastes time and resources, but it should be reserved for premium customers who request it.
Using an alliance lounge is also an opportunity for airlines to be more cost-effective, he said.
Despite the cost-saving benefits already seen at Heathrow, it remains an "extraordinarily expensive" airport, said Humpherys.
Technology is also key to the future growth of alliances, according to Humpherys.
With the combined buying power of all the member airlines, the alliance can afford to develop technology to improve passengers' journey through airports.
A "white card" is currently being developed in Bejing. Passengers will use a smartcard, similar to Transport for London's Oyster cards, instead of a paper ticket.
With the support of Skyteam, Beijing is also looking at using biometrics technology, said Humpherys.
www.skyteam.com