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Airline review · KL

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines

Expert Editorial Review

Journey of Inspiration

#16 Global 4-star airline Safety 9.3 · Excellent Safety
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner aircraft.
Photo: Adam Moreira / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

KLM is the Netherlands' flag carrier operating from Amsterdam Schiphol with one of Europe's densest networks, World Business Class on long-haul, and Flying Blue shared with Air France.

Last updated 30 June 2026

Decision summary FlightLogic verified data · Updated 30 June 2026

Should I choose KLM Royal Dutch Airlines for my next long-haul work trip?

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines scores 8.0/10 (safety 9.3/10), ranking #16 globally — Wi-Fi is paid or route-dependent. Baggage: 1×23 kg long-haul; Light none short-haul. Economy seat pitch: 31"; loyalty programme: Flying Blue. Full passenger policy tables, category scores, and the fares search follow below.

FlightLogic score
8.0/10
Safety
9.3/10
Global rank
#16
Wi-Fi policy
Paid Wi-Fi

Who should think twice about KLM Royal Dutch Airlines

Scores mean naming who a carrier is NOT for. From our rated findings:

  • Older short-haul cabins on some European routes
  • Flying Blue dynamic pricing on awards

Pre-Trip Planning

Passenger policies at a glance

Policy data verified

Baggage, Wi-Fi, legroom, and lounge access for KLM Royal Dutch Airlines — expand for the full matrix.

View full policy matrix Baggage · Wi-Fi · lounges · changes
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines passenger policies
Cabin baggage Included — standard carry-on allowance applies
Checked baggage 1×23 kg long-haul; Light none short-haul
In-flight Wi-Fi Paid Wi-Fi or messaging packages
Economy seat pitch 31"
Lounge access KLM Crown lounges
Changes & refunds Flex allows changes
Loyalty programme Flying Blue

Awards & Recognition

  • Oldest operating airline
  • Best Schiphol hub carrier

Airline Details

IATA Code
KL
ICAO Code
KLM
Hub
Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS)
Alliance
skyteam
Founded
1919
Fleet Size
110 aircraft

Strengths

  • Efficient AMS single-terminal hub
  • Crown Lounge at Schiphol
  • Strong Africa and Asia connections

Weaknesses

  • Older short-haul cabins on some European routes
  • Flying Blue dynamic pricing on awards

Day-of Travel Support

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines travel facts

Verified baggage allowances, punctuality, fleet, safety and loyalty facts for KLM Royal Dutch Airlines.

Baggage & fees

Cabin bag 55 × 35 × 25 cm + accessory 40 × 30 × 15 cm, 12 kg combined · Up to 12 kg
Checked bag (economy) Basic/Light none; Standard/Flex 1 × 23 kg; Premium Comfort 2 × 23 kg
Checked bag (business) 2 × 32 kg
Seat selection Free on Standard/Flex; Basic/Light pays
Change fee Varies by fare; Flex free changes

Punctuality

Not currently tracked.

Unverified — not in Cirium 2025 regional top 10s; Jan 2026 OAG monthly dip (57.76%) not representative, no annual figure used

Punctuality is 20% of the FlightLogic score — see our methodology.

Fleet & cabins

Fleet size
110 aircraft
Average age
Not available
Main types
B777-200/300ER, B787-9/10, A330-300, B737-800/900, A321neo
Economy pitch
30–32 in
Business seat
Fully flat 1-2-1 on B777-300ER/B787
Wi-Fi
Paid; free messaging

Safety

Registry status
IOSA-registered

IOSA-registered; Dutch CAA oversight

FlightLogic editorial safety score: 9.3/10 — our own assessment, separate from IOSA registry status.

Loyalty

Programme
Flying Blue
Currency
Miles

Tiers: Explorer, Silver, Gold, Platinum (shared with Air France)

Rating history

  • Q3 2026 8.0/10 Current quarter

Quarterly tracking began Q3 2026 — earlier scores were not archived.

About KLM Royal Dutch Airlines

KLM is the Netherlands' flag carrier operating from Amsterdam Schiphol with one of Europe's densest networks, World Business Class on long-haul, and Flying Blue shared with Air France.

Key strengths: Efficient AMS single-terminal hub. Crown Lounge at Schiphol. Strong Africa and Asia connections. Areas for improvement: Older short-haul cabins on some European routes. Flying Blue dynamic pricing on awards.

Editorial KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Reviews

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner aircraft.
Airline Reviews

KLM Review 2026: World Business Class & Crown Lounge

The Netherlands' flag carrier — efficient Schiphol hub, Crown Lounge, and one of Europe's densest networks for UK–Africa and UK–Asia connections.

The KLM Crown Lounge, non-Schengen area, Amsterdam Schiphol.
Airport Lounge Reviews

KLM Crown Lounge Amsterdam Review 2026

KLM's flagship lounge at Schiphol pairs Dutch design, a strong hot-food buffet, and efficient Schengen connections — the best premium ground product for SkyTeam passengers routing through Amsterdam.

Verified reader reviews

Coming soon

We are building verified reader reviews for KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. Readers will be able to submit a review with proof of travel — a boarding pass or booking confirmation — emailed to [email protected].

Reader scores are published separately from FlightLogic editorial ratings and never change the editorial score.

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines — Frequently Asked Questions

Is KLM Royal Dutch Airlines a good airline?

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines scores 8.0/10 overall on FlightLogic (4-Star) — an editorial expert rating, not an aggregate of consumer reviews. Strengths include Efficient AMS single-terminal hub; Crown Lounge at Schiphol.

What is KLM Royal Dutch Airlines's safety score?

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines scores 9.3/10 on FlightLogic's safety index — calculated separately from passenger experience using IOSA certification, accident history, fleet age, and regulatory compliance.

What alliance is KLM Royal Dutch Airlines in?

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines is a member of skyteam.

Where is KLM Royal Dutch Airlines's hub?

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines's primary hub is Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS). The airline was founded in 1919 and operates approximately 110 aircraft.

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