Published: 25 August 2026
This page is part of our Flying Blue Hub which pulls together all our articles on the loyalty programme of Air France & KLM
Flying Blue Reward Flights: How to Spend Miles on KLM, Air France & Partners
Flying Blue is the frequent flyer programme for Air France and KLM, with miles redeemable for reward flights on both airlines and a wide range of partners including Delta and Virgin Atlantic.
Unlike British Airways, Flying Blue uses dynamic reward pricing, so the number of miles required can vary enormously between flights. However, there are some excellent opportunities if you know where to look – particularly for travellers outside London, one-way flights and some partner airline redemptions.
In this guide, we explain how Flying Blue reward flights work, how many miles you need, what taxes and charges you’ll pay, availability and some of the best ways to use your miles.
Quick Summary
- Economy: from 10,000 miles short haul / 25,000 long haul
- Premium (Comfort): from 40,000 miles long haul
- Business: from 25,000 short haul / 60,000 long haul
- Booking opens: 359 days ahead
- Key Airlines: Air France, KLM, Delta, Virgin Atlantic (& around 30 other partners)
- Best for: Regional UK departures, flexible travellers and selected partner redemptions
Flying Blue Light, Standard & Flex Reward Fares
Effective from 8 September 2026, Flying Blue offers three bands of options when redeeming for reward flights: Light, Standard and Flex. Each band offers a different level of included benefits such as inclusive luggage, seat selection and even lounge access. Note that the benefits included in each band are dependent on the cabin travelling in.
It is important to note that no matter what fare band has been chosen, benefits linked to the traveller’s Flying Blue status remain unchanged and override the below tables.
Economy Class
| Feature | Light | Standard | Flex |
|---|---|---|---|
| Checked Baggage | ❌ | 1 x 32kg | 1 x 32kg |
| Hand Luggage | 1 (total 12kg) | 1 (total 12kg) | 1 (total 12kg) |
| Changes | ❌ | €70 | ✅ |
| Refunds | ❌ | €70 | ✅ |
| Seat Selection | Additional cost | Additional cost | ✅ |
| Sky Priority | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Lounge Access | Additional cost | Additional cost | Additional cost |
Premium (Comfort)
| Feature | Light | Standard | Flex |
|---|---|---|---|
| Checked Baggage | ❌ | 2 x 32kg | 2 x 32kg |
| Hand Luggage | 2 (total 12kg) | 2 (total 12kg) | 2 (total 12kg) |
| Changes | ❌ | €70 | ✅ |
| Refunds | ❌ | €70 | ✅ |
| Seat Selection | Additional cost | Additional cost | ✅ |
| Sky Priority | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Lounge Access | Additional cost | Additional cost | Additional cost |
Business Class
| Feature | Light | Standard | Flex |
|---|---|---|---|
| Checked Baggage | 1 x 32kg | 2 x 32kg | 2 x 32kg |
| Hand Luggage | 2 (total 18kg) | 2 (total 18kg) | 2 (total 18kg) |
| Changes | ❌ | €70 | ✅ |
| Refunds | ❌ | €70 | ✅ |
| Seat Selection | Additional cost | Additional cost | ✅ |
| Sky Priority | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Lounge Access | Additional cost | ✅ | ✅ |
Notes
- These rules only apply to reward flights operated by AF & KLM. If an AF or KLM flight is combined with a partner flight, only the standard fare will be available
- Standalone partner flights (eg with Delta or Virgin) are non-branded and different rules apply
- Within the same booking, you can combine the same brand of fare (eg Economy Light and Business Light) but not from different bands (eg Economy Standard and Premium Flex)
- Additional checked baggage is always available for an extra charge, even if it is not included in the fare
- Applies to tickets issued from 8 September 2026. Tickets issued before this date follow the prevailing rules at the time
Mileage Earning and Status Benefits
Flying Blue miles can be earned on Air France, KLM, Skyteam members and other partners – you can find more information in our article. Mileage earning is also dependent on the members status in the Flying Blue scheme – to learn more about status click here to read our guide.
How Many Flying Blue miles do I need for a reward flight?
One-way redemptions start at 10,000 miles and include the connecting flight to either Amsterdam or Paris Charles de Gaulle airports.
Flying Blue does not have a fixed award chart. However, Air France and KLM publish starting prices for reward flights, with one-way redemptions beginning at the following levels:
| Cabin Class | Short Haul | Long Haul |
|---|---|---|
| Economy | 10,000 | 25,000 |
| Premium (Comfort) | — | 40,000 |
| Business | 25,000 | 60,000 |
Note that on longer routes, the lowest amount of miles required will be higher
However, Flying Blue operates a dynamic pricing model when it comes to booking reward flights. This means that the number of miles required can often increase significantly according to the demand.
In simple terms this means if cash tickets are selling particularly well on your chosen route, you should expect to be asked to use significantly more miles, although this is not always the case.
What are the Taxes & Charges?
To some extent these are based on the route you are taking as each country and airport has different additional charges – plus Air Passenger Duty of £8 to £253 is charged on all UK departures, depending on distance and cabin class flown. Flights via Amsterdam attract slightly higher charges than Paris.
For a return flight on KLM or Air France starting in the UK, expect the taxes and charges to be approximately:
- Short Haul Economy (eg Rome) – around £110
- Short Haul Business (eg Rome) – around £120
- Long Haul Economy (eg New York) around £400
- Long Haul Premium (eg New York) – around £700
- Long Haul Business (eg New York) – around £850
Long-haul flights, especially in Premium & Business, attract significant carrier surcharges on KLM and Air France, but these can be significantly different on other airlines so it is always worth seeing if there are options on other carriers.
Promo Rewards
Every month, Flying Blue publishes a new selection of Promo Rewards, offering discounted reward flights on selected Air France and KLM routes. Discounts are typically 25% off the normal starting mileage requirement, with dozens of destinations often included across Economy, Premium and Business cabins.
Promo award pricing is subject to availability and usually only applies to travel in the 6 months from the start of promotional period (ie January Promo Rewards will apply to flights up to the end of June).
Watch out if you’re travelling from the UK: discounted long-haul Promo Rewards always include your connecting flight to Amsterdam or Paris, but Promo Rewards to short-haul destinations do not include this – making the additional discount of limited value to most readers, unless their local airport is part of a Promo Rewards flight to Amsterdam or Paris.
The Best Ways to Use Flying Blue Miles
1) Fly from a regional airport
For travellers outside London, this is one of Flying Blue’s biggest advantages. KLM’s extensive British and Irish regional network means a reward journey to a long-haul destination includes your connecting flight through Amsterdam without requiring you to position to Heathrow or Gatwick.
2) Short Haul Reward Flights
All Flying Blue Reward flights from the UK & Europe include the connection to Amsterdam or Paris at no additional cost (you may pay slightly different taxes). This is a significant advantage over BA for those who do not live near London as BA charge additional miles for the domestic connection on all short haul redemptions.
3) One-Way Flights in Europe
On certain routes, one-way cash fares on KLM can be extremely expensive but using Flying Blue miles can sometimes be an attractive alternative. Even booking a month in advance, Humberside to Amsterdam can be £231 for a one-way ticket but can also be had for 10,000 miles plus €67 in taxes
4) US Domestic Flights
US domestic flights with Delta have no carrier surcharges and taxes are very low with economy starting at 5,000 miles plus €6.75 for a one-way redemption. You can fly coast to coast from 20,000 miles in economy and 52,500 in business with taxes around €10 each way.
4) Fly US to Europe
Whilst taxes and fees can be expensive on return flights, one-way flights from the US to Europe are much more attractive. Depending on the route, expect to pay £120 in economy, £185 in Premium Comfort and £275 in Business Class on Air France or KLM.
5) Redeem on Virgin Atlantic
For UK residents, redeeming on Virgin is especially interesting as you can use your Flying Blue miles for direct flights from Heathrow, Manchester and Edinburgh, without the added inconvenience of connecting in Paris or Amsterdam. Read our guide to redeeming Flying Blue miles for Virgin Atlantic flights.
6) Africa and South America
Flying Blue’s relationships with partners such as Kenya Airways and GOL mean that they have a significantly better route network in Africa and South America than that available to British Airways Club members.
Which other airlines can I book award flights using Flying Blue miles?
Apart from Air France and KLM, there are around 30 other airline partners that can be booked with Flying Blue miles including all other Skyteam members such as Delta, Korean Air and Virgin Atlantic. In addition, miles can also be used to fly with Aircalin, Ethiad, GOL, Japan Airlines and Transavia.
How Far Ahead can I book?
Reward flights are typically available 359 days in advance for both Air France and KLM although partner airlines may differ.
Where can I book a Reward Flight?
You can book reward flights using your Flying Blue miles on either the KLM or Air France websites. Log in to your account, head to “book a flight” and then move the slider across to ”Book with Miles”.
Most Flying Blue award flights can be searched and booked online through Air France or KLM, including Air France, KLM, Delta, Etihad and Virgin Atlantic although some other partner awards still require contacting Flying Blue customer service.
If you want to book a flight with miles on Transavia, you need to visit their own website and select the option to “display fares in Flying Blue Miles”.
If you want a multi-city ticket (AAA-BBB-CCC-AAA), an open-jaw ticket (AAA-BBB/CCC-AAA) or want to book a stopover as part of your itinerary, these need to be booked by calling customer service.
When Should You NOT Use Flying Blue Miles?
We would be cautious about using Flying Blue miles when:
- Dynamic pricing has pushed the mileage requirement significantly above the starting price
- A cheap cash fare is available
- High carrier surcharges make the cash element unattractive
- You are redeeming on a route where another frequent flyer programme charges fewer miles or lower fees
- A Promo Reward encourages you to use miles when the equivalent cash ticket is inexpensive
Our Take
Flying Blue can be a very useful frequent flyer programme for UK travellers to redeem on, particularly those who live outside London. KLM’s extensive regional network means you can start many reward journeys from your local airport and connect through Amsterdam without paying additional miles for the connecting flight.
The biggest frustration is clearly dynamic pricing. While availability is generally excellent, the difference between a good and bad redemption can be enormous. A Business Class seat starting at 60,000 miles might represent excellent value; the same journey at several hundred thousand miles almost certainly will not.
There are some particularly attractive opportunities to look out for, including Promo Rewards, US domestic flights with Delta, one-way flights from the US to Europe, direct Virgin Atlantic flights from the UK, and some exotic destinations in Africa and South America.
Our advice is therefore not simply to ask “Can I book this flight with Flying Blue miles?” but “Is this a good use of my Flying Blue miles?” Check alternative dates, compare the cash price and look at partner airlines before transferring or spending your points.
For travellers prepared to be flexible, Flying Blue can offer some excellent reward-flight opportunities – and for those living near one of KLM’s many UK regional airports, it can be a far more convenient option than redeeming Avios through British Airways.
