The tail section of several KLM aircraft lined up in a row.

The Airline KLM – Royal in the Skies

KLM is a truly traditional company and the world’s oldest continuously operating airline. It is still considered the national airline or flag carrier of the Netherlands, although it is no longer majority state-owned. In this article, you’ll find out which destinations KLM serves, what its fleet consists of, and what else there is to know about the airline.

Contents

  1. General Information

  2. History

  3. Route Network

  4. Fleet & Technology

  5. Services

General Information

KLM stands for Koninklijke Luchtvaart Maatschappij, which translates to "Royal Aviation Company". Internationally, however, the airline often uses its English name: KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. Since 2004, KLM has been part of the Air France-KLM Group, a holding company based in Paris, alongside Air France and the Dutch low-cost carrier Transavia. Legally, KLM remains an independent airline and is headquartered at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport.

History of the Airline KLM

Several KLM aircraft parked at an airport.

KLM was founded on October 7, 1919, making it the oldest airline in the world still operating under its original name. While other airlines such as Air France or British Airways can trace their roots even further back, these were based on predecessor companies that later merged into today’s brands.

In its early years, KLM focused primarily on flights to the then Dutch colonies, especially Indonesia. For several years, the route from Amsterdam to what is now Jakarta was the longest scheduled flight in the world. During the war years, KLM continued operations from the UK; in the postwar period, steady growth led to the increasing use of wide-body aircraft.

In the late 1980s, KLM founded the first transatlantic airline alliance with the American carrier Northwest Airlines — a cooperation that continues today within the SkyTeam alliance. In 2004, KLM merged with Air France, though under certain conditions. For example, both airlines had to give up slots at their respective hubs in Amsterdam (Schiphol) and Paris (Charles de Gaulle) to prevent a monopoly. Since the merger, Air France-KLM has consistently ranked among the global top 5 airlines in terms of revenue and passenger kilometers flown.

The KLM Route Network

In 2024, KLM served 156 destinations, 92 of which were within Europe. Thanks to collaborations with other airlines, passengers can reach up to 525 additional destinations through connecting flights with KLM. Just as Lufthansa benefits from the Star Alliance, KLM is a member of the SkyTeam alliance, which expands its network through codesharing. Outside of Europe, KLM’s most frequent destinations are in North America and Asia.

Fleet & Technology of KLM

A Transavia aircraft at the gate.

KLM's fleet also includes aircraft operated by Transavia and KLM Cityhopper. The fleet breakdown is as follows:

  • A total of 224 aircraft (as of late 2024)

  • Including 4 cargo aircraft

  • Primarily small and medium-sized aircraft (e.g., Airbus A320), no jumbo jets like the Boeing 747 or Airbus A380

  • Historically Boeing-heavy fleet, with Airbus A350s to be increasingly used for long-haul flights starting in 2026

Services at KLM

While KLM’s services are similar to those of other airlines, there are several notable differences. KLM began phasing out First Class from its flights as early as the 1990s — a trend that many other European airlines have only recently followed. However, passengers on medium- and long-haul routes can still choose between three cabin classes: Economy Class, KLM Premium Economy, and Business Class.

A special feature of KLM’s Business Class is the presentation of KLM Delft Blue Houses on intercontinental flights: miniature replicas of actual Dutch buildings, crafted from Delftware ceramic and filled with Dutch genever. These have been produced since the 1950s and are now considered collector’s items.

KLM also offers a frequent flyer program called Flying Blue, which allows passengers to earn miles on every flight. All Air France-KLM flights are included in the program, making it relatively easy to collect loyalty points. 

If Flying Blue has sparked your interest, you don’t necessarily need to fly with KLM to benefit – our Easy Airport Parking bonus program also lets you save big. In any case, we wish you a pleasant flight!