More eco-benign

The Embraer 175+ has numerous technical features that substantially reduce fuel consumption and, hence, CO₂ emissions. Compared to the Fokker 70, the new E175+ burns 22% less fuel.

Dreamliner

The San Jose service will be operated using Boeing 787-900 equipment. This Boeing Dreamliner has 294 seats and offers plenty of travel comfort. Higher air pressure in the cabin ensures that passengers arrive at their destination feeling rested. WiFi is also available onboard for passengers who would like be online during their flight. The Dreamliner is quieter than other aircraft, consumes less fuel and, therefore, emits less CO2.

There is currently a network failure in the Amadeus global computer system, which is used by KLM and other airlines. The failure has consequences for all Amadeus users, including KLM and Air France. Owing the failure, the KLM booking system is temporarily not working as it should, and there also are problems with rebooking passengers. Previous problems relating to check-in have now been resolved. Until now, 24 flights have been delayed as a result.

KLM flight info easy to find through verified WhatsApp account

Offering flight information to customers through a verified WhatsApp business account makes information easy to access in a single place, making it available at the airport, en route or at home. Customers can also directly contact KLM’s social media service agents, 24/7, via WhatsApp. The service is available to customers who book tickets or check in via KLM.com and opt-in to receive information via WhatsApp.

Secure messages

Messages are secure so that they can only be read by the customer and KLM, and no one else, not even WhatsApp. Customers can easily recognise verified businesses using the official WhatsApp business application. This means that customers will see a green checkmark badge next to the KLM contact name on WhatsApp.

KLM and Social Media

Since 2009, KLM has gained a reputation as pioneer in the field of social media services and campaigns. KLM has over 25 million fans and followers on various social media platforms. Through these channels, KLM receives over 100,000 mentions every week, 15,000 of which are questions or remarks. These are personally answered by more than 250 service agents, who form the world’s largest, dedicated social media team. On WhatsApp, Facebook, Messenger, Twitter, LinkedIn, WeChat and KakaoTalk (Korean), KLM offers her customers a 24/7 one-stop-shop in nine different languages: Dutch, English, German, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Chinese, Japanese and Korean. During office hours, KLM also offers services in Italian. KLM was the world’s first airline to offer customers the option of receiving flight documents and status updates via Messenger, Twitter and WeChat.

The world is within reach for more people. This includes KLM’s new European destinations, as well as Sri Lanka, Costa Rica and Mauritius.

More environmentally friendly
The Embraer 175+ has a large number of technical features that significantly reduce fuel consumption and, with it, CO₂ emissions compared to the Fokker 70. By comparison, the new aircraft consumes up to 22% less fuel.

The Rijksmuseum Amsterdam is the Netherlands’ leading historical art museum, taking visitors on a journey through famous Dutch art and historical treasures; from the Middle Ages to Mondriaan. In June 2017, the museum welcomed its 10 millionth visitor since it reopened in 2013 following a full renovation. KLM is partner in transport to the Rijksmuseum.

The five wines originate from leading vineyards such as Boschendal (South Africa) and Lapostolle (Chile). With these unique wine labels, KLM hopes to whet the appetites of its World Business Class passengers for Dutch culture and to encourage them to visit the Rijksmuseum, where they can marvel at the actual paintings.

The transaction for the first three aircraft is scheduled to be closed in the coming weeks.

Background information:

The European Investment Bank (EIB) is the long-term lending institution of the European Union owned by its Member States. It makes long-term finance available for sound investment in order to contribute towards EU policy goals. In 2016 alone, the Bank made available EUR 2.56 bln in loans for projects with Dutch counterparts in various sectors, including SMEs, industry, transport and agriculture.

Koninklijke Luchtvaart Maatschappij N.V. is the flag carrier airline of the Netherlands. KLM is headquartered in Amstelveen, with its hub at nearby Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. It is part of the Air France–KLM group, and is a member of the SkyTeam airline alliance. KLM was founded in 1919 and it is the oldest airline in the world still operating under its original name. KLM operates scheduled passenger and cargo services to 147 destinations.

Crédit Agricole CIB is the Corporate and Investment Banking arm of the Crédit Agricole Group, the world’s n°11 bank measured by Tier One Capital (The Banker, July 2016). The Bank offers its clients a comprehensive range of products and services in capital markets, investment banking, structured finance and corporate banking, structured around six major divisions: Client Coverage & International Network, International Trade & Transaction Banking, Global Investment Banking, Structured Finance, Global Markets, and Debt Optimisation & Distribution. The Bank provides support to clients in large international markets through its network with a presence in major countries in Europe, America, Asia Pacific and Middle East and North Africa. For more information, please visit its website at www.ca-cib.com

Perscontacten:

EIB: Tim Smit, +352 691 286423, t.smit@eib.org

KLM: Koen van Zijl, +31 6 204 17 895, koen-van.zijl@klm.com

Credit Agricole CIB: Louise Tingstrom +44 7899066995, louise.tingstrom@bladonmore.com

The KLM codes will be added to eight destinations in the Winair network: Saba, St. Eustatius, St. Barts, Tortola, St. Kitts, Nevis, Antigua and Dominica.

KLM’s ambition to be the most customer-centric European airline, led to the development of a device that expands the service of its crew beyond planes and airport. KLM crew filled the KLM Care Tag with hundreds of practical tips about the city of Amsterdam. Not the standard tourist tips, but insightful tips ranging from busy intersections with a lot of cyclists, where and how to lock your bike and when you have to watch out for pickpockets. But also more lighthearted tips such as where to taste local food for free, where to see great street art or where to rent a bike or boat. With the Care Tag you always have someone that guides you through the city.

Busy Amsterdam

Over the last couple of years Amsterdam has rapidly become one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. January this year for the first time over 1 million people visited the city. By the year 2025 this will increase with 30%. Together with Paris and Lisbon it hosts the most visitors per inhabitant in Europe.

Limited availability

The KLM care tag can only in September be ordered online for free by passengers who travel to Amsterdam. Passengers who are interested, can simply order it, but availability is limited. The first batch of Care Tags will only be available in English but later this year there will be more Care Tags available in Chinese, Portuguese, German and Russian.

Interested in reading more about Amsterdam, click on the link KLM Blog.

The Platinum Service Line is available Monday to Friday from 08:00 hours to 20:00 hours and on Saturday and Sunday from 09:00 to 17:30. Platinum members are being personally informed about how they can access this service.

From 1 October 2014, all FB Ivory members will receive a 50% discount on the first piece of hold baggage when booking a KLM ticket to a European destination. This will then cost them EUR 7.50 for a one-way trip when checking in online, and EUR 15 if they check in at the airport.

In line with the usual range of alternatives open to customers, KLM also offers its passengers the option of covering the hold-baggage fee with FB Miles.  FB Ivory members can cover the baggage fee with 1500 FB Miles per flight via My Trip on KLM.com. In this way, KLM continues to reward customer loyalty.

The new policy for FB Ivory members applies for all tickets issued on or after 1 October 2014. Naturally, customers always have the option of travelling without hold baggage when flying Economy Class to European destinations.  

BlueBiz participants and other contracted corporate clients will not be charged.

Until 26 June, participants will have the opportunity to win a number of prizes every day, representing a value of 500 to 10,000 Miles. At the end of the game, a prize draw will be held to select the winner among the participants who successfully tracked down Mr Miles. The lucky winner will scoop up the winner’s prize of 500,000 Miles, corresponding to more than 2 round the world trips! In total, over 3 million miles will be up for grabs.

This game is open to all, both Flying Blue members and non-Flying Blue members.
 

Dive into a fun-packed universe
The illustrations by Hélène Builly combine archive images and modern graphics in an original, playful style. Each time they connect to the Mr Miles game site, participants will experience a symbolic, virtual and entertaining immersion into the world of Flying Blue and will appreciate the full diversity of this attractive programme.

The game aims to strengthen ties with programme members as well as increase Flying Blue’s reputation with the general public.

A leading programme in Europe
Flying Blue is Europe’s leading frequent flyer programme with over 21 million members. It has 35 airline members and over 100 non-airline partners. With the Flying Blue card, customers can access numerous services specially designed to make travel more enjoyable. There are four membership levels: Ivory, Silver, Gold and Platinum.

Flying Blue is the frequent flyer programme of Air France and KLM, HOP!, Tarom, Kenya Airways, Air Europa and Aircalin.

On April 25, 2013, in Washington DC, Flying Blue was awarded prizes at the Freddie Awards, the most prestigious awards ceremony which recognizes the best loyalty programs. Flying Blue won five awards for the Europe/Africa region: Best frequent flyer program of the year in the field of air transport; Best frequent flyer program for Elite members; Best frequent flyer program for using/earning Miles; Frequent flyer program with the most attractive promotions; Air France KLM-American Express: best credit card linked to a loyalty program.

More than 3 million people voted to award these prizes that reward the initiatives of Flying Blue, which is in tune to its members’ needs more than ever before.

• the amount of the fuel surcharge is now directly included in the cost of miles when purchasing award tickets for medium-haul flights. Only the airport taxes have to be paid separately.
• customers retain their Elite (Silver, Gold, Platinum) status more easily: all status miles in excess of the customer’s current card threshold level are automatically carried over from one year to the next**.

Flying Blue Store, an online store for earning and using miles
Since April 2012, the Flying Blue Store, a real online shop dedicated to Flying Blue members has been accessible on the www.flyingbluenews.com site. It notably allows:

• to purchase awards with 31 airlines and over 100 non-airline partners: Hertz, Avis, Sixt, Best Western, Hilton, UGC, resort car hire, etc. ,
• to earn miles with some one hundred partners (Amex, Accor for example) by making purchases with brands recommended by Flying Blue members which offer travel, design, art and decoration-related items such as Galeries Lafayette, Zara, Adidas, iTunes, FNAC.com, Fauchon and Lavazza,
• to benefit from promotional awards regularly published on the site. 

*including North Africa and Israel

**For e.g., a Flying Blue Silver member with 35,000 status miles at the end of the year will be able to retain his Silver status the following year thanks to his 25,000 status miles. Moreover, he will begin the year with 10,000 status miles, corresponding to his 35,000 status miles from which the 25,000 status miles required to reach Silver are deducted. Previously, he would have had to reset his status miles account. This innovation will allow each customer to attain a higher status more quickly.

Using miles to travel to New York

For Ivory customers

• 3 Paris-New York round-trips in Voyageur class entitling customers to a Paris-Nice round-trip award ticket in Voyageur class.
• 4 Paris-New York round-trips in Voyageur class entitling customers to a Paris-Barcelona round-trip award ticket in Voyageur class.
• 7 Paris-New York round-trips in Voyageur class entitling customers to a Paris-New York round-trip award ticket in Voyageur class.

For Silver customers

• 2 Paris-New York round-trips in Voyageur class entitling customers to a Paris-Nice round-trip award ticket in Voyageur class.
• 3 Paris-New York round-trips in Voyageur class entitling customers to a Paris-Barcelona round-trip award ticket in Voyageur class.
• 5 Paris-New York round-trips in Voyageur class entitling customers to a Paris-New York round-trip award ticket in Voyageur class.

For Gold customers

• 2 Paris-New York round-trips in Voyageur class entitling customers to a Paris-Nice or Paris-Barcelona round-trip award ticket in Voyageur class.
• 4 Paris-New York round-trips in Voyageur class entitling customers to a Paris-New York round-trip award ticket in Voyageur class.

For Platinum customers

• 1 Paris-New York round-trip in Business class entitling customers to a Paris-Barcelona or Paris-Nice round-trip award ticket in Voyageur class.
• 2 Paris-New York round-trips in Business class entitling customers to a Paris-New York round-trip award ticket in Voyageur class.

A miles calculator is available on the site to calculate the number of award miles required for a specific flight.

Flying Blue in figures

• Europe’s leading frequent flyer programme with 21 million members in 2012
• 2/3 of members are international
• Miles are valid for life providing that customers travel once every twenty months or pay for their purchases with the Flying Blue American Express card
• Award tickets represent on average 4% of available capacity, i.e. 13 Airbus A380s per day.
• 31 airlines and over 100 non-airline partners.
• Four levels: Ivory, Silver, Gold and Platinum.

Flying Blue is the frequent flyer programme of Air France and KLM, Tarom, Kenya Airways, Air Europa and Air Calin.

“With SkyPriority, we can offer our most loyal passengers an improved travel experience,” says Erik Varwijk, KLM’s managing director. “Travel includes everything from check-in desk to baggage carousel, and we make it all faster and easier. We can offer our SkyTeam customers an even better, more consistent product.”

Travellers can see the SkyPriority mark on their boarding pass and know immediately if they qualify for this special service. From check-in to departure, they can follow the red SkyPriority signs so they can check in, drop off their bags, and board faster and easier. What is more, SkyPriority makes it easier for airport staff to recognise and assist passengers.

SkyTeam is the first airline alliance to offer consistent priority services worldwide, in which all member airlines take part. All SkyTeam airlines have established their implementation dates and introduction periods. Some of the first airports to introduce SkyPriority include Paris Charles de Gaulle (today), Atlanta, Guangzhou, Nairobi, Shanghai, and Taipei.