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KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (KL) Guide

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In short

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines is the flag carrier of the Netherlands, part of Air France–KLM and based at Amsterdam Schiphol. It flies to about 170 destinations in Europe, North and South America, Asia, Africa and the Middle East, and Schiphol is a busy one-stop connection. KLM is a SkyTeam member using Flying Blue. Cabins run from Economy and Economy Comfort to Premium Comfort and World Business Class.

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines is the flag carrier of the Netherlands and part of the Air France–KLM group.

Please note: bookingMentor is an independent travel service and is not affiliated with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. Routes, schedules and baggage rules change, so always confirm the details of your booking with the airline.

What to expect

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (IATA KL) is the flag carrier of the Netherlands and the oldest airline still flying under its original name, founded on 7 October 1919. From its hub at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol it flies to about 171 destinations on five continents. Part of Air France-KLM and a SkyTeam member, it suits travellers starting in the Netherlands and anyone connecting through Amsterdam from regional Europe to long-haul flights.

The world's oldest airline name

Eight Dutch businessmen founded KLM in 1919, and Queen Wilhelmina granted the "Royal" title in September that year. Albert Plesman became its first director. The first flight, from London Croydon to Amsterdam, took off on 17 May 1920.

KLM looked far beyond Europe from the start. An experimental flight to Batavia, now Jakarta, left on 1 October 1924, and a regular Amsterdam to Batavia service began in September 1929. In December 1934 an experimental flight reached Curaçao in the Caribbean. On 21 May 1946 KLM became the first continental European airline to start scheduled transatlantic flights, to New York. It celebrated its centenary in 2019.

The 2004 Air France-KLM merger

In 2004 KLM and Air France formed the Air France-KLM holding company, and KLM joined SkyTeam the same year. The two airlines keep their own brands, hubs and identities. Benjamin Smith leads the group, and Marjan Rintel is president and chief executive of KLM. In 2025 KLM reported revenue of 13.2 billion euros and net income of 416 million euros, and it employed 36,071 people in 2024.

Schiphol and the network

Schiphol is one of Europe's main transfer airports, and KLM's network is built to feed it. Regional flights bring passengers from across Europe into Amsterdam, where they connect to long-haul routes in North and South America, Africa, Asia and the Caribbean, a region KLM has served since the 1930s. Codeshares with partners extend the reach to more than 800 destinations.

KLM carried 33.1 million passengers in 2024.

The KLM group

KLM Cityhopper flies regional European routes with Embraer jets. Transavia sells low-cost holiday flights. Martinair carries freight for KLM Cargo, and KLM Asia, registered in Taiwan, operates flights to Taipei. Cygnific handles sales and customer service.

Connecting through Amsterdam

Schiphol is large, and a connection between a Schengen flight and a non-Schengen flight means passport control, which can queue at peak times. Allow more than the minimum connection time on a tight itinerary, and check the gate as soon as you land.

Fact-checked by the bookingMentor Travel Desk Reviewed · Updated when rules or prices change

Checked against trusted sources:
KLM official website

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  1. KLM official website
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Good to know

  • Founded1919
  • Online check-inYes

Everything you should know

Airline codes

KL · KLM

IATA · ICAO · callsign “KLM”

KLM’s IATA code is KL, its ICAO code is KLM, and the radio callsign is KLM. Type KL and your flight number into a status search to follow a KLM flight.

Key facts

Network

About 170 destinations

Europe · North & South America · Asia · Africa · Middle East

KLM is the oldest airline still flying under its original name, linking Amsterdam Schiphol with about 170 destinations; with KLM Cityhopper it serves many smaller European cities.

Destinations

Cabin classes

Economy

and Economy Comfort, Premium Comfort, World Business

World Business Class, Premium Comfort, Economy Comfort and Economy on long-haul; Europe Business and Economy in Europe.

Compare cabins

Good to know

KLM is renewing its long-haul fleet with Airbus A350s from 2026 and has a new livery since 2024. Recent new routes include San Diego, Georgetown and Hyderabad. Official website: klm.com.

Frequent flyer

Flying Blue

Member of SkyTeam

KLM is a SkyTeam member; its programme Flying Blue is shared with Air France.

How it works

Start a new search

bookingMentor lists KL fares beside the other carriers on the same route, which shows quickly whether KLM is the cheaper way to reach Nairobi.

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At a glance

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (IATA: KL, ICAO: KLM) is the flag carrier of the Netherlands, founded in 1919 and based at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. Part of Air France–KLM and a SkyTeam member, it flies Boeing 777, 787, Airbus A330, A321neo and Boeing 737 aircraft, plus KLM Cityhopper Embraers, to about 170 destinations.

Key facts about KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
HeadquartersAmstelveen, Netherlands
Fleet typesBoeing 777-300ER, 777-200ER, 787-10, 787-9, Airbus A330, A321neo, Boeing 737, Embraer 175/195-E2
Frequent flyerFlying Blue
Official websiteklm.com

Flight routes

Destinations and routes

Direct routes
The KLM network at a glance. The airline changes routes from time to time, and a search shows which KL flights run on your dates. Search flights

Europe

Amsterdam (AMS) departures10 destinations

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Fleet and aircraft

About 126 aircraft: Boeing 777, 787 and 737 and Airbus A330 and A321neo jets, with Embraers at KLM Cityhopper. The group ordered 100 A320neo family jets (2021) and Air France-KLM agreed to buy 50 A350s (2023), entering service from 2026.

  • Boeing 777-300ER Wide-body High-demand long-haul routes
  • Boeing 777-200ER Wide-body High-demand long-haul routes
  • Boeing 787-9 Wide-body Long-haul routes
  • Boeing 787-10 Wide-body Long-haul routes
  • Airbus A330-200 Wide-body Long-haul routes (to be replaced by A350s)
  • Airbus A330-300 Wide-body Long-haul routes (to be replaced by A350s)
  • Airbus A321neo Narrow-body European routes, new livery
  • Boeing 737-700 Narrow-body European routes
  • Boeing 737-800 Narrow-body European routes
  • Boeing 737-900 Narrow-body European routes
  • Embraer 175 (KLM Cityhopper) Regional jet Smaller European cities
  • Embraer 190 (KLM Cityhopper) Regional jet Smaller European cities
  • Embraer 195-E2 (KLM Cityhopper) Regional jet Smaller European cities

Cabin classes

Four seat types on long-haul; Europe Business and Economy in Europe.

Economy All flights

Light, Standard and Flex fares

Seat selectionMeals on long-haulSnack in Europe

Economy Comfort Most aircraft

Extra legroom section

More legroomPriority disembarking

Premium Comfort Long-haul

Premium economy cabin

Wider seatExtra baggageUpgraded meals

World Business Class Long-haul

Flat beds, many with aisle access

In Europe, Europe Business offers a blocked middle seat and lounge access.

Crown LoungePriority servicesExtra baggage

Flying Blue

The Air France–KLM frequent flyer programme, free to join.

Members earn Miles and XP on KLM, Air France and SkyTeam flights and spend Miles on award flights and upgrades. Flying Blue status is recognised across SkyTeam.

Baggage allowance

On KLM, the bag allowance follows your fare type, cabin and route, and the exact figure is printed on your KL e-ticket.

Checked baggage
On your e-ticket
Cabin baggage
Depends on fare
Extra bags
Cheaper before you fly
Power banks
Cabin bag only

Economy Light fares in Europe include only hand baggage; Standard and Flex include a checked bag. Long-haul fares include baggage; premium cabins include more.

Pro tip: connecting at Schiphol between Schengen and non-Schengen flights? Allow time for passport control.
Travel day

Online Check-in

KLM check-in comes down to four steps, from checking in online to dropping your bags at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.

  • Online check-in available
  1. Step 1

    Check in online

    Online check-in for KL flights is on the official KLM website or app. You need the KL booking reference or e-ticket number and the passenger’s surname.

    Booking ref + surname
  2. Step 2

    Prepare your documents

    Pack your passport plus any visa, residence permit or entry papers your destination asks for. Domestic KL passengers should bring a photo ID the airline accepts.

    Passport · visa · ID
  3. Step 3

    Arrive early

    Get to the airport with time for KLM check-in, bag drop and security. The airline sets a deadline for each airport, shown in your booking, and late arrivals can lose their seat.

    Well before departure
  4. Step 4

    Drop your bags

    Hand in checked luggage at the KLM counter or bag drop, then keep your boarding pass and passport ready for security and the gate.

    KLM counter
Departing from Amsterdam? Terminals, lounges, food and transport at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, all in one guide.
Amsterdam Airport guide Check in with KLM
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Cheap tickets

How to find a cheaper KLM fare without giving up the bag or seat you need.

  1. 01

    Look across the week

    KLM fares are often lower on midweek departures. Search a spread of dates around your trip to find the cheaper days.

    Midweek flights
  2. 02

    Avoid peak seasons

    Dutch summer holidays and Christmas are the busiest periods.

    Summer & Christmas
  3. 03

    Check what each KLM fare includes

    The lowest KL fare is not always the cheapest trip once bags and seats are added. Compare the fare types before you pay.

    Baggage & changes

  4. Ready to compare fares?

    Search KLM alongside every other airline on your route, with flexible dates.

    Search KLM flights

Reviews and questions

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Everything travellers ask before flying KLM Royal Dutch Airlines.
Answers checked against KLM’s official sources and public aviation references, and reviewed each season.

General

KLM is a member of SkyTeam. Partner airlines include Air France, Delta, Korean Air and Kenya Airways, so you can earn and redeem miles and connect on one ticket across a wide network.