KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, often simply referred to as KLM, is the flag carrier of the Netherlands and holds the distinction of being the oldest operating airline still using its original name, founded on October 7, 1919, by Albert Plesman. Its inaugural flight took place on May 17, 1920, connecting London and Amsterdam. KLM's headquarters are located in Amstelveen, and its primary operational hub is Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS). The airline also leverages secondary hubs such as Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport and Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport through its partnerships.
The airline operates an extensive route network, offering scheduled passenger and cargo services to over 145 to 165 destinations across Europe, Asia, Africa, North America, Central and South America, and the Middle East. KLM's fleet, as of early 2025, comprises around 189 aircraft, including wide-body, narrow-body, and regional jets. The long-haul fleet primarily consists of Airbus A330, Boeing 777, and Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, while the narrow-body fleet is transitioning from Boeing 737 Next Generation to Airbus A320neo family aircraft. Its regional flights are operated by the subsidiary KLM Cityhopper, utilizing Embraer E175, E190, and E195-E2 jets. In September 2023, the Air France-KLM group announced an order for 50 Airbus A350 aircraft to modernize its long-haul fleet.
KLM is a proud and founding member of the SkyTeam Alliance, which it joined on September 13, 2004. This alliance membership allows KLM to offer an expanded network and improved services through shared lounges and reward programs. For passengers, KLM offers distinct cabin classes: World Business Class features fully lie-flat seats for long-haul flights; Premium Comfort Class provides an enhanced experience with more spacious seating in a dedicated cabin; Economy Comfort offers extra legroom within the Economy cabin; and Economy Class provides standard seating. The airline also provides in-flight entertainment, a variety of meal options, and a frequent-flyer program known as Flying Blue.
Recent traveler reviews for KLM Royal Dutch Airlines present a mixed picture, with strong praise for onboard experience often contrasted with significant frustrations regarding customer service during disruptions.
What Travelers Love:
Common Complaints:
Overall sentiment suggests that while KLM often delivers a pleasant experience once onboard, particularly concerning catering and cabin crew, the airline's ground services and customer support—especially during irregular operations—are a significant area of concern for many travelers.
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines maintains a robust safety record in modern aviation, particularly in recent decades. The airline has had no fatalities since the tragic Tenerife airport disaster in 1977, which, involving a collision between two Boeing 747s, remains the deadliest accident in aviation history. Aside from this historical event, KLM's safety profile in recent years is considered excellent. While minor operational incidents, such as a passenger's power bank overheating, an engine shut down in flight, a flat tire, or an electrical failure, have been reported in 2025, these were non-fatal.
As a major European flag carrier and part of the Air France-KLM group, KLM is expected to adhere to stringent international aviation safety standards and regulatory compliance, although specific mentions of IOSA or FAA compliance were not found in the search results. The airline's long-standing commitment to safety is underscored by its establishment of its own maintenance department in 1921, which grew into one of the world's largest companies for aircraft, engine, and component maintenance.
KLM operates a diverse fleet, incorporating modern aircraft like the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, with new Airbus A320neo family and A350 aircraft on order to replace older models. While some older Boeing 777-200s (dating back to 2003) and Boeing 737s (dating back to 2001) are still in service, the airline is actively engaged in fleet renewal. Based on available data, KLM is widely assessed as a very safe airline globally. This assessment is reinforced by recent industry recognitions, including being awarded the APEX World Class Award for safety and sustainability for three consecutive years (2022, 2023, 2024). KLM also received the APEX Diamond Award for Health Safety in 2021, recognizing its efforts in upholding the highest health and safety standards.
| Route | Destination | Flights | Distance | Aircraft | Last Seen |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BLL → AMS |
Amsterdam Schiphol
Amsterdam
|
223 | 297 mi | B737 | Dec 11, 2025 |
| BHX → AMS |
Amsterdam Schiphol
Amsterdam
|
151 | 275 mi | B738 | Dec 11, 2025 |
| GOA → AMS |
Amsterdam Schiphol
Amsterdam
|
140 | 577 mi | E75L | Dec 10, 2025 |
| KRK → AMS |
Amsterdam Schiphol
Amsterdam
|
134 | 668 mi | E295 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| LUX → AMS |
Amsterdam Schiphol
Amsterdam
|
132 | 196 mi | E190 | Dec 9, 2025 |
| FLR → AMS |
Amsterdam Schiphol
Amsterdam
|
132 | 658 mi | E295 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| EDI → AMS |
Amsterdam Schiphol
Amsterdam
|
130 | 415 mi | A21N | Dec 11, 2025 |
| HAM → AMS |
Amsterdam Schiphol
Amsterdam
|
116 | 236 mi | E295 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| SVG → AMS |
Amsterdam Schiphol
Amsterdam
|
115 | 456 mi | B737 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| MAN → AMS |
Amsterdam Schiphol
Amsterdam
|
112 | 303 mi | B738 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| NWI → AMS |
Amsterdam Schiphol
Amsterdam
|
112 | 149 mi | E75L | Dec 11, 2025 |
| LCY → AMS |
Amsterdam Schiphol
Amsterdam
|
111 | 208 mi | E190 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| ORK → AMS |
Amsterdam Schiphol
Amsterdam
|
106 | 564 mi | E190 | Dec 11, 2025 |
| POZ → AMS |
Amsterdam Schiphol
Amsterdam
|
101 | 509 mi | E190 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| DUB → AMS |
Amsterdam Schiphol
Amsterdam
|
99 | 467 mi | A21N | Dec 10, 2025 |
| NCE → AMS |
Amsterdam Schiphol
Amsterdam
|
99 | 609 mi | B739 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| CWL → AMS |
Amsterdam Schiphol
Amsterdam
|
98 | 352 mi | E75L | Dec 8, 2025 |
| LBA → AMS |
Amsterdam Schiphol
Amsterdam
|
97 | 288 mi | E75L | Dec 10, 2025 |
| BRU → AMS |
Amsterdam Schiphol
Amsterdam
|
95 | 98 mi | E75L | Dec 11, 2025 |
| OPO → AMS |
Amsterdam Schiphol
Amsterdam
|
95 | 992 mi | E295 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| ABZ → AMS |
Amsterdam Schiphol
Amsterdam
|
91 | 437 mi | E295 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| PRG → AMS |
Amsterdam Schiphol
Amsterdam
|
89 | 439 mi | B737 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| GVA → AMS |
Amsterdam Schiphol
Amsterdam
|
89 | 424 mi | B738 | Dec 11, 2025 |
| BIO → AMS |
Amsterdam Schiphol
Amsterdam
|
88 | 717 mi | E295 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| WAW → AMS |
Amsterdam Schiphol
Amsterdam
|
87 | 685 mi | B737 | Dec 11, 2025 |
Airline statistics are based on flight route observations collected from FlightAware AeroAPI and other sources. Flight counts represent observed operations, not scheduled frequencies. Route data is continuously updated as new flight information becomes available.