Regardless of your cabin class or destination, KLM offers a distinctly Dutch experience that I’ve come to appreciate as a frequent passenger (I live in Amsterdam, its headquarters). Here’s what to know if you’re considering KLM for your next flight, plus insider tips on your trip.
Why should you consider KLM?
KLM is a main European carrier, and it also offers transatlantic flights to North America, Africa, and Asia. While fares aren’t the cheapest on the market, in my opinion, KLM’s usually reliable service, well-appointed cabins, and professional, courteous flight attendants usually make it worth the extra money.
KLM also offers some nice extras that set it apart from competitors. On my birthday and Mother’s Day, I was pleasantly surprised to find vouchers from KLM in my email inbox (be sure to sign up for its frequent flyer programme, Flying Blue, to receive such offers; more on that below). And on European routes, KLM offers free snacks and drinks, including wine and beer – a much-appreciated perk to help ease the stress of travel.
KLM fare classes and pricing
When booking with KLM, you’ll choose between Economy, Premium Comfort, and Business Class fares, with prices varying greatly. However, you can generally expect to pay between 50% and 100% more than Economy for Premium Comfort tickets, and three times more for Business Class tickets.
Within each class, you’ll choose between Light, Standard, and Flex pricing. These price categories offer various included extras like change fees, seat selection, and checked bags. Keep in mind that while searching for flights online, the Light fare is the price displayed for initial search results. Once you choose a specific flight, you’ll see the more expensive Standard and Flex options. In other words, the first Light option price can be deceivingly low.
From my experience, it’s usually worth it to spend a little extra for Standard, unless you’re travelling extremely light (as in, your bag can fit under the seat in front of you) and don’t mind sitting in the middle seat.
KLM Economy
KLM’s Economy cabin is on par with most other Europe-based major carriers: efficient and mostly comfortable, if not memorable. Depending on the aircraft, seats are usually arranged in a 3-3 or 3-3-3 configuration. Economy Standard and Flex tickets each come with one checked bag of up to 23 kg.
Pro tip: Some long-haul routes have several rows of two seats toward the back of the aircraft. If you don’t mind the additional foot traffic heading to the lavatory and being among the last to deboard, these seats can offer additional privacy for two passengers.
KLM Premium Comfort
KLM’s newest cabin class, Premium Comfort, is a fantastic option if you’re looking for a more refined experience than Economy without the price tag of Business Class. Premium Comfort tickets include two checked bags (up to 23 kg each), which is especially helpful for long-haul flights. Seat selection is free too, which can save significant money if, like me, you frequently travel with your family. Finally, you’ll also get access to the SkyPriority security line, which can be a lifesaver at busy hubs like London Heathrow.
On board, Premium Comfort offers a noticeably elevated experience from Economy. I’ve flown Premium Comfort several times, and it can make all the difference in feeling more refreshed after a long flight. The 2-3-2 configuration has 21 to 28 seats, which feature a generous 48 cm width, plus 20 cm of recline – which can make sleeping actually possible on redeyes. Other extras I appreciate include a 13.3-inch entertainment screen, adjustable reading lamps, headrests, footrests, and an amenity kit.
A heads-up for parents traveling with young children: As is the case with some other airlines, armrests in the Premium Comfort cabin are fixed, which means they don’t move up. Since many young kids (like mine) like to stretch out horizontally while they sleep, this can make getting some shuteye trickier for little ones (especially on red-eye flights).
If you’re considering KLM for a long-haul route, keep in mind that the Premium Comfort cabin is being rolled out on all Boeing 777 and 787 aircraft on intercontinental routes. You can currently enjoy this cabin (and all the perks that come with it) on flights to popular destinations like Los Angeles, Atlanta, New York, and Toronto, with new routes added regularly.
KLM European Business Class
KLM’s Business Class offers two distinct experiences: World Business Class is available on flights with destinations outside Europe, while the aptly named European Business Class is on flights within Europe.
As with some other carriers, KLM Business Class within Europe doesn’t offer much of an upgrade. You’ll get some of the requisite perks, like lounge access and hot meals. But for the most part, these slightly larger seats aren’t a noticeable step up from economy class. The biggest difference is that the adjacent seat is kept empty. Depending on your budget, this may not justify the higher price tag, especially for leisure travellers. In my experience, the only time the splurge might be worth it is for the lounge access on flights with long stopovers.
Keep in mind that, like all other fare categories, KLM Business Class also has different pricing tiers. Both Standard and Flex tickets come with two checked bags but Light tickets only come with one.
KLM World Business Class
On long-haul routes, KLM really shines with its recently overhauled World Business Class cabins. It’s the kind of experience that makes flying enjoyable, which can justify the cost (or air miles transfer). My advice: If you can afford it (or expense it), book that business class ticket.
Business Class tickets (except the Light fare) come with lounge access, and some lounges are far better than others. But passengers travelling through Amsterdam Schiphol should take advantage of two KLM Crown Lounges. I’ve spent plenty of time in both, and though they can become crowded at peak times, they still offer a far more relaxing experience than Schiphol’s jam-packed public spaces. The non-Schengen lounge is particularly lovely, with two levels (including a snazzy upstairs bar) and plenty of space.
On board, the upscale experience continues with an upgraded Business Class experience across KLM’s entire Boeing 777-300 and -200 fleet. Lay-flat seats are arranged in a reverse herringbone layout, with a 1-2-1 configuration. Closing doors are a new addition, on par with the business class products of many other major carriers. And I especially love that all seats have direct aisle access – which is appreciated by passengers (like me) who like to frequently stretch their legs – and a 16–18” screen.
Wi-Fi and on-board entertainment on KLM
Like most major carriers, KLM has stepped up its in-flight entertainment (IFE) systems for long-haul routes. I actually look forward to settling into my seat to enjoy the vast content library, with dozens of excellent movies, TV shows, podcasts, and games that make the hours fly by. The seatback screens are high-quality, with great audio. Plus, when available, free in-flight messaging is a nice touch.
In Business and Premium Comfort, the experience is even sweeter, with larger screens and noise-cancelling headphones.
On flights within Europe, the aircraft typically don’t have seatback screens. However, more KLM flights are equipped with Wi-Fi. If you see a Wi-Fi sticker on the aircraft, that means you can message family and friends for free, which is always helpful while travelling.
KLM loyalty programmes and air miles booking
Flying Blue is the joint loyalty programme of both KLM and Air France. It’s free to join, and as you accumulate miles and Experience Points (XPs, in Flying Blue parlance) and achieve status (Silver, Gold, or Platinum), you can start earning perks like free seat selection, priority boarding, and more. KLM offers booking by cash or miles. Passengers can also book with partner miles such as Delta SkyMiles or Virgin Atlantic points.
If you’re planning for an upcoming trip, be sure to keep an eye on the KLM booking website. The carrier regularly releases seats for points booking, which is a great way to score deals, such as transatlantic business-class fares for as low as 50,000 points.
US passengers also can earn Flying Blue points through credit cards including a co-branded U.S. credit card with Bank of America or an Air France-KLM World Elite Mastercard. Unfortunately, KLM doesn't offer a UK Flying Blue credit card. But there is a way for UK passengers to earn miles with other credit cards.
Using credit cards & miles to book KLM flights
Passengers also can transfer points to Flying Blue from a number of credit card points programmes. For UK passengers, these are limited to selected UK American Express cards, including American Express Rewards, American Express Preferred Rewards and The Platinum Card from American Express. Such cards provide an easy way to accumulate points, especially with sign-up bonuses and other offers. Their conversion rates are pretty attractive too, with each £1 spent earning one Membership Rewards points, which can be converted to 1 Flying Blue mile.
This KAYAK-commissioned article is presented as-is, for general informational purposes only, and may not be up to date. The opinions contained in the article are original to the author and reflect their authentic experience, which may vary significantly from the experience of others. Find more perspectives in our user reviews below.
