KLM Royal Dutch Airlines is the flag carrier airline of the Netherlands. Headquartered in Amstelveen, the hub of KLM Airlines is the Amsterdam Aiport Schipol. It is a member of the SkyTeam Alliance and the Air France-KLM group.
KLM was Founded in 1919 and remains the only functional airline under its original name. It is the oldest airline operating under the original name of creation. It operates scheduled passenger and cargo services to over 145 destinations in 70 countries across 5 continents.
KLM's first flight took place on 17 May 1920 from Croydon Airport, London to Amsterdam. On October 1st, 1924, the airline's first intercontinental flight took off to Jakarta. Air France and KLM agreed to a merger on September 30th, 2003, which became the holding company called Air France-KLM. The 2 airlines retained their brands and the Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris and Amsterdam Airport Schipol served as key hubs for the new partnership. The merger projected Air France-KLM as the largest airline group in the world.
KLM, using the slogan "A journey of inspiration" operates scheduled flights to over 145 destinations including Luanda, Buenos Aires, Oranjestad, Graz, ?Vienna, Manama, Dhaka, Brussels, Rio de Janeiro, Montreal, Toronto, ?Chengdu, Beijing, Xiamen, Bogota, Zagreb, Nice, Paris, Berlin, Frankfurt, Budapest, Jakarta, Rome, Lagos, Oslo, ?Lisbon, Singapore, Bilbao, Madrid, Valencia, Taipei, Dubai, New York, London, Glasgow, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington. It operates flights to and from Africa, the North America, Europe, South America and Asia.
KLM Royal Dutch Airline has codeshare agreements with more than 40 airlines including: Adria Airways, Aer Lingus, Aeroflot, Aerolineas Argentinas, Aeromexico, Air Astana, Air Europa, Air France, Air Malta, Air Serbia, airBaltic, Alaska Airlines, Bangkok Airways, Bulgaria Air, China Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Delta Airlines, Insel Air, Jet Airways, Kenya Airways, Korean Air, Malaysian Airlines, Saudia, Westjet, XiamenAir, Transavia, and Pegasus Airlines.
The airline operates domestic and international flights to more than 133 destinations in 70 countries from Amsterdam.
Routes KLM Operates Flights on
KLM Airline and its partners operate scheduled domestic and international flights from its hub at Amsterdam Schipol Airport to over 133 destinations in 70 countries on five continents.?Some of the most popular destinations and routes served by KLM Airline from its major hub at Amsterdam Airport Schipol and other major airports in London Heathrow, Dubai, Toronto and Houston International airports include:
Africa: Lagos, Entebbe, Dar es Salaam, Johannesburg, Nairobi, Cape Town, Cairo, Mauritius, Kigali, Kilimanjaro
Europe:? Calgary, Birmingham, Oslo, Paris, Prague,?Bahrain, Belfast,?Barcelona, Malaga, Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt,?Copenhagen, Hamburg,?Split, Stockholm,?Rome, Lisbon, Madrid,?Istanbul,?Dublin,? Milan,?Bilbao,?Brussels,? Bucharest,?Aberdeen, Athens, Moscow, Florence etc
North America: Ontario,?Chicago, Texas, New York, San Francisco, Houston, Vancouver,?Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Seattle, Memphis, Montreal, Miami etc.
South America:?Rio de Janeiro, Curacao,?Bogota, Bologna,?Santiago de Chile,?Lima,?Bonaire,?Buenos Aires, Sao Paulo, Havana, Panama City, Ecuador etc.
Middle East:?Dubai, Oman etc.
Asia:?Cancun, Chengdu,?Hong Kong, Mumbai, Bombay, Jakarta, Beijing,?Kuala Lumpur,?Shanghai, Hangzhou etc
Below is a list of popular routes KLM Airline operates scheduled flights to and from. The table also shows the average fares for a roundtrip and the flight time for these popular routes.
| Routes Operated by KLM |
Flight fare ($) Round Trip |
Average flight time |
| Lagos to Amsterdam |
1052 |
6 hours 55 minutes |
| Amsterdam to New York |
831 |
8 hours 5 minutes |
| Amsterdam to London |
151 |
1 hour 10 minutes |
| Paris to Washington |
1291 |
13 hours 45 minutes |
| Rome to London |
370 |
6 hours 55 minutes |
| Johannesburg to Amsterdam |
790 |
13 hours 50 minutes |
| Brussels to Barcelona |
265 |
4 hours 10 minutes |
| Madrid to Boston |
1231 |
12 hours 23 minutes |
| Amsterdam to Taipei |
1134 |
12 hours 10 minutes |
| London to Beijing |
666 |
16 hours 45 minutes |
| Taipei to London |
1337 |
20 hours 55 minutes |
| New York to Rio de Janeiro |
1167 |
28 hours 10 minutes |
| Chicago to Munich |
2577 |
13 hours 18 minutes |
| Washington to Glasgow |
1911 |
12 hours 45 minutes |
| Lagos to Guangzhou |
1691 |
26 hours 10 minutes |
KLM Royal Dutch Airline Fleet
KLM airline operates Boeing and Airbus in its fleet. With over 117 aircraft in its fleet and more than 20 in order, it is the major airline in Netherlands. It also operates 13 Airbus A330, 50 Boeing 737, 15 Boeing 747, 28 Boeing 777 and 8 Boeing 787.?The airline?operates to more than 140 destinations worldwide including domestic destinations with the Netherlands.
KLM has utilised different liveries on its aircraft since establishment. All versions of the livery contain the letters "KLM Royal Dutch Airlines." The current livery has a crown on the boldly printed "KLM" written in blue colour with a touch of orange- the national colour of the Netherlands.
Travel Packages Offered by KLM
There are 3 cabin classes on KLM flights to international long-haul routes; namely the World Business, Economy Comfort and Economy Class.
World Business Class is the business cabin of KLM on long-haul flights. World Business Class ticket holders enjoy priority boarding, security check, boarding, access to KLM Crown Lounge and extra baggage allowance,
All the cabin class offers on the long-haul aircraft personal entertainment screens offering a range of films and TV shows, the Holland Herald is the in-flight magazine, in-flight catering, satellite telephone, SMS, and email services. The in-flight catering is usually snack or sandwich on European flights, but a choice of 2 hot meals in the Economy class for longer flights. Food in the Business class is gourmet.
Special Services Offered by KLM Airline
KLM also provides passengers on its flights the opportunity to make a request for special meals such as Children, vegetarian, medical, and religious meals. Passengers can request for these foods at least 24 to 36 hours before flight departure. KLM catering services provide the meals served on flights departing from Amsterdam. In?partnership with Heineken, it launched the world's first in-flight draft beer.
The KLM Crown lounges in Amsterdam, London Heathrow, Dubai, Toronto and Houston International airports offer relaxation and business facilities to travellers. The lounge offers rest areas, healthy snacks, entertainment, computers with free WiFi, international newspapers, and laptop charging facilities. ?World Class passengers, KLM American Express Corporate cardholders and selected members of the FlyingBlue programme can access the lounges. The KLM Crown Lounges are easily accessible for people with disabilities.
Special meals are served free of charge exclusively on intercontinental KLM flights. Passengers must order at least 24 hours before flight departure for special meals like baby meals, vegetarian meals, medical diets like a diabetic meal, low salt meal, low-fat meal; religious meals like Hindu, Muslim and kosher meals (48 hours preorder).
Where to Book KLM Flight Tickets
Enjoy a time-saving and convenient platform for all flight transactions.Compare prices and choose the best flight fares and airlines for your next trip.
Flying with Children
Infants/Children
A child less than 2 can travel on the lap of an adult with the help of a seat belt extension. If an adult travels with 2 babies, only 1 lap baby is allowed per adult. A seat must be booked for the other baby, and a child/car seat is allowed on board at no extra cost. Passengers should make advance notice if travelling with 2 babies.?Children below age 4 must always travel with a parent or guardian.
Unaccompanied Minor
Unaccompanied Minor Service is compulsory for children aged 5 to 14 travelling alone or in a different cabin class from the parent/guardian. Children above 14 to 17 years travelling alone can optionally be registered under the Unaccompanied Minor Service.
There are special children meals at no charge for kids 2 years and older. Request for special children meal should be made at least 24 hours before flight departure. Baby meals are free and do not need advance request.
Children are allowed 1 piece of check-in baggage of maximum 10kg and 1 piece of hand baggage weighing a maximum of 12kg.
Pregnant Women
Pregnant women may travel on KLM Airlines until the 36th week of gestation when the airline advise against flying. Newly delivered mothers are advised against travelling in the first week of delivery. Pregnant women expecting more than 1 baby or with previous complications must consult a physician before the flight.
Flying with Pets
Snub-nosed animals like Pugs, Boxers, Bulldogs, Pekinese and Persian cats can only be transported in the cabin or as cargo. KLM does not transport English and French Bulldogs, Boston terriers and pugs in the hold or as cargo.
Requests to travel with service animals should be made at least 48 hours before flight departure.
Pets in the cabin
Pets like cats or dogs are allowed in the Economy class cabin of KLM flights. The pets must be placed in a suitable pet travel bag or a hard kennel which allows the pets to stand up and lay down comfortably. The total allowed weight of pet and travel bag or kennel is 8kg. The kennel must be placed under the front seat of the passenger.
It is impossible to take in pets into the Business Class cabin on intercontinental KLM flights as there is no space under the front seats for pets.
Pets as check-in baggage
?Pets like dogs or cats may also travel as check-in baggage in a ventilated part of the aircraft. The combined total weight of pet and kennel is 75kg.?A maximum of 3 pets is allowed per passenger as check-in passenger. Reservation for pets must be made by telephone at least 24 hours after booking a flight or 48 hours before flight departure.
Pets must be transported as freight by Air France-KLM Cargo if the pet is travelling alone or the combined weight of the pet and kennel exceed 75kg.
Cargo Delivery
KLM has 4 aircraft that transport cargo. In partner with Air France, KLM transport goods to more than 300 destinations around the world.
The KLM cargo transports specialised items like animals, flowers, aircraft parts, mail, elephants, horses, donkeys, computers, fresh vegetables, giant machines, and pets.
Terms and Check-in Policy
Passengers on KLM flights can use the check-in desks 2 hours before the flight departure. After check-in, passengers can proceed to security control and then to the boarding gate.
Online Check-in
?Passengers on board KLM airline can check in online from the comfort of the home or office. They can also choose preferred seat online, print boarding pass and avoid airport queues at the check-in desk. Online check-in is not available for passengers who have requested for assistance or?travelling from an airport without the option of online check-in.Online check-in starts 30 hours before flight departure.
Airport Check-in
Passengers can use the self-service kiosk to check in at the airport. This also gives passengers the opportunity to choose preferred seat onboard and print boarding pass.
Baggage
The baggage allowance per flight differs. Thus, passengers should confirm their exact baggage details when booking, in the booking confirmation and on the ticket.
Hand-held luggage
A maximum of 12kg is allowed for Economy Class ticket holders on European and intercontinental flights but 18kg for Business Class passengers on European and intercontinental flights.
Check-in baggage allowance?
Economy Class: A maximum of 1 piece of 23kg baggage, while Flying Blue (Silver, Gold and Platinum) and Sky Team Elite (Plus) members can bring 2 pieces of 23kg check-in baggage.
Business Class:?A maximum of 2 pieces of 32kg baggage, while Flying Blue (Silver, Gold and Platinum) and Sky Team Elite (Plus) members can bring 3?pieces of 23kg check-in baggage.
Special baggage
Reservations must be made for special baggage at least 48 hours before flight departure. Ensure that KLM confirms the reservation before flight departure to ensure that the special baggage can travel with you. Musical instruments, wedding dress, bicycles, gold bags, snowboard equipment, surfing equipment, dive equipment, fishing equipment, and hunting sports ammunition.
Restricted Articles
?These items are not allowed onboard KLM flights. Restricted items onboard include?Lithium batteries, hoverboards, air-boards, skates, e-cigarettes; Firearms such as air pistols, air rifles, catapults, crossbows, harpoons, stun or shocking devices; pointed/edged weapons and objects like arrows and darts, ice skates, scalpels, open razors, machetes, meat cleavers, scissors, swords, throwing stars, drills, knives; blunt instruments like hammers, pliers, baseball and softball bats, billiards, snookers and pool cues, cricket bats, fishing rods, lacrosse sticks, clubs, skateboards; Explosives and flammable substances like paints, fireworks, detonators and fuses, aerosols, gas cylinders, petrol, diesel, oxygen in large volumes, ammunition; chemical and toxic substances like fire extinguishers, acids and alkalis, poisons, radioactive materials and cartridges.?All animal trophies from hunting are restricted from all KLM aircraft.
Delayed, Lost or Damaged Baggage
Passengers with lost or damaged or delayed baggage should immediately go to the Baggage Service Office in the baggage reclaim area of the airport to report. A Property Irregularity Report (PIR) will be given at the Baggage Service Office to passengers with lost/damaged/delayed baggage. Delayed baggage can also be reported online within 2 days, for flights operated by KLM Airline or Air France.
