The Dept. of Transportation is helping to strengthen ties between Delta Air Lines, Northwest Airlines, and four Europe-based carriers by granting anti-trust immunity to combine their transatlantic operations in an expanded Sky Team Alliance:

The Department’s grant of antitrust immunity allows the two U.S. carriers, along with Air France, Alitalia, Czech Airlines and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, to coordinate their transatlantic fares, services and capacity as if they were a single carrier in these markets, subject to certain conditions. Northwest has an existing alliance with KLM, while Delta has an existing alliance with Air France, Alitalia and Czech Airlines.” — DOT

Such alliances are nothing new; but what can more of them do for you? Keep reading…

SkyTeam is an alliance of international airlines committed to making life a little bit easier for world travelers. Now, as Open Skies regulations are set to change, Sky Team and its 11 full-member airlines are increasing their presence at London Heathrow.

Joining forces in Terminal 4, the SkyTeam airlines hope to ease connections, provide more flight options between the UK, Europe, Asia, and the States, and create a more unified travel experience for passengers. So, what does all of this mean for you? SkyTeam hopes it means you will look to their members when flying internationally, and I hope it means that added competition and greater options will reduce airfare prices.

Keep reading for a breakdown of what SkyTeam has to offer and to learn more about other airline alliances that can affect the way you travel internationally…