KLM Royal Dutch Airlines

ICAO: KLM Active as of Dec 11, 2025

297

Active Routes

7050

Flight Observations

147

Unique Destinations

158

Origin Airports

1982

Avg Route Distance (mi)

7462

Longest Route (mi)

0

Domestic Routes

100

International Routes
About KLM Royal Dutch Airlines

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.

What Travelers Say

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:

  • Food Service: Many travelers frequently commend the quality of KLM's in-flight meals, particularly on long-haul flights, describing the food as hot, flavorful, and served with a good selection of beverages, including wine.
  • In-flight Service/Cabin Crew: The cabin crew often receives high marks for being professional, attentive, delightful, patient, and kind. Travelers appreciate their genuine willingness to assist passengers.
  • Punctuality (in individual experiences): While overall reliability can be inconsistent, several personal reviews highlight positive experiences with timely departures and arrivals.

Common Complaints:

  • Customer Service during Disruptions: A recurring and prominent complaint involves KLM's customer service, which many describe as unresponsive, unhelpful, and difficult to reach, particularly when dealing with flight cancellations or delays. Passengers often report difficulties in obtaining compensation.
  • Lost/Delayed Luggage: Numerous recent reviews indicate issues with lost or significantly delayed baggage, coupled with unsatisfactory resolution processes.
  • Seating Comfort/Dated Interiors: Some passengers have expressed dissatisfaction with economy seating, describing seats as "tiny" or uncomfortable, especially on older aircraft that may have dated interiors. Lack of sufficient air conditioning and infrequent bathroom servicing have also been mentioned.
  • Flight Delays/Cancellations: Travelers frequently report experiencing last-minute flight cancellations and significant delays, leading to missed connections and extended travel times.

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.

Safety Information

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.

Content generated by AI based on web research • Updated 2 weeks, 1 day ago
Route Network Map
Most Popular Routes
BLL → AMS
Billund Airport → Amsterdam Schiphol
297 miles
223 flights
B737
BHX → AMS
Birmingham Airport → Amsterdam Schiphol
275 miles
151 flights
B738
GOA → AMS
Genoa Cristoforo Colombo Airport → Amsterdam Schiphol
577 miles
140 flights
E75L
134 flights
E295
132 flights
E190
FLR → AMS
Florence Airport, Peretola → Amsterdam Schiphol
658 miles
132 flights
E295
EDI → AMS
Edinburgh Airport → Amsterdam Schiphol
415 miles
130 flights
A21N
HAM → AMS
Hamburg Helmut Schmidt Airport → Amsterdam Schiphol
236 miles
116 flights
E295
SVG → AMS
Stavanger Airport, Sola → Amsterdam Schiphol
456 miles
115 flights
B737
MAN → AMS
Manchester Airport → Amsterdam Schiphol
303 miles
112 flights
B738
Top Destinations
AMS (EHAM)
Amsterdam Schiphol
Amsterdam
6040 flights
143 routes
CDG (LFPG)
Charles de Gaulle/Roissy
Paris
45 flights
1 route
BRU (EBBR)
Brussels
Brussels
37 flights
1 route
HKG (VHHH)
Hong Kong Int'l
Hong Kong
35 flights
2 routes
DUS (EDDL)
Dusseldorf Int'l
Dusseldorf
32 flights
1 route
EBB (HUEN)
Entebbe Int'l
Entebbe (near Kampala)
31 flights
1 route
OSL (ENGM)
Oslo, Gardermoen
Oslo
29 flights
1 route
FCO (LIRF)
Leonardo da Vinci Int'l (Fiumicino Int'l)
Rome
26 flights
1 route
GVA (LSGG)
Geneva Cointrin Int'l
Geneva
26 flights
1 route
HAM (EDDH)
Hamburg
Hamburg
26 flights
1 route
Top Origin Airports
AMS (EHAM)
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
Amsterdam
812 flights
131 routes
BLL (EKBI)
Billund Airport
Billund
223 flights
1 route
BHX (EGBB)
Birmingham Airport
Birmingham, West Midlands
151 flights
1 route
GOA (LIMJ)
Genoa Cristoforo Colombo Airport
Genova (GE)
140 flights
1 route
KRK (EPKK)
Kraków John Paul II International Airport
Balice
134 flights
1 route
LUX (ELLX)
Luxembourg-Findel International Airport
Luxembourg
132 flights
1 route
FLR (LIRQ)
Florence Airport, Peretola
Firenze (FI)
132 flights
1 route
EDI (EGPH)
Edinburgh Airport
Edinburgh
130 flights
1 route
HAM (EDDH)
Hamburg Helmut Schmidt Airport
Hamburg
116 flights
1 route
SVG (ENZV)
Stavanger Airport, Sola
Stavanger
115 flights
1 route
Top Border Crossing Flights
AMS (EHAM)
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
Amsterdam, NL
6040 flights
143 routes
CDG (LFPG)
Charles de Gaulle International Airport
Paris, FR
45 flights
1 route
BRU (EBBR)
Brussels Airport
Brussels, BE
37 flights
1 route
HKG (VHHH)
Hong Kong International Airport
Hong Kong, HK
35 flights
2 routes
DUS (EDDL)
Düsseldorf Airport
Dusseldorf, DE
32 flights
1 route
EBB (HUEN)
Entebbe International Airport
Entebbe (near Kampala), UG
31 flights
1 route
OSL (ENGM)
Oslo Airport, Gardermoen
Oslo, NO
29 flights
1 route
FCO (LIRF)
Rome–Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci International Airport
Rome, IT
26 flights
1 route
Longest Routes
NRT → AMS
Narita International Airport → Amsterdam Schiphol
7462 mi
AMS → EZE
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol → Ministro Pistarini Int'l
7130 mi
AMS → NRT
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol → Narita Int'l
6750 mi
LIM → AMS
Jorge Chávez International Airport → Amsterdam Schiphol
6749 mi
AMS → LIM
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol → Jorge Chávez Int'l
6629 mi
Shortest Routes
RTM → AMS
Rotterdam The Hague Airport → Amsterdam Schiphol
28 mi
ZNZ → DAR
Abeid Amani Karume International Airport → Dar es Salaam
45 mi
BRU → AMS
Brussels Airport → Amsterdam Schiphol
98 mi
AMS → BRU
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol → Brussels
98 mi
DUS → AMS
Düsseldorf Airport → Amsterdam Schiphol
111 mi
All Routes
297 Total Routes
Showing 25 most popular routes
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
Data Information:

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.

Data Freshness: Real-time
Last Update: Dec 11, 2025 08:04
Coverage: Observed routes only