What Air France KLM does

Air France-KLM is a Franco-Dutch global aviation group formed in 2004 through the merger of Air France (founded 1933) and KLM (founded 1919), and publicly listed on Euronext Paris and Amsterdam (ticker AF.PA). The group operates passenger transport through three brands — full-service carriers Air France and KLM and low-cost subsidiary Transavia — alongside Air France-KLM Martinair Cargo (917,000 tonnes of freight in 2025) and Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance (MRO services for 200+ third-party airlines). It serves 320+ destinations across 100+ countries from two main hubs at Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Amsterdam-Schiphol, with a 596-aircraft fleet (average age 11.5 years) and 80,000 employees.

The group's revenue model is diversified across four transaction-based streams: passenger transport (network carriers plus Transavia), air freight, MRO professional services, and loyalty/everyday-spending monetization through Flying Blue (ranked #1 World's Best Airline Rewards Program for two consecutive years). Distribution combines direct digital channels (airline websites and apps), GDS/travel intermediaries, dedicated cargo sales teams, MRO direct sales, and the SkyTeam alliance plus joint ventures with Delta/Virgin Atlantic (transatlantic) and China Eastern (Paris-Shanghai). The technology stack is built on a Google Cloud generative AI partnership deployed across 551 aircraft and 93 million passengers for predictive maintenance, modern retailing infrastructure via Amadeus, and in-house IT solutions. The French and Dutch states remain significant shareholders alongside CMA CGM (up to 9%), with the group pursuing an active M&A agenda including a controlling stake in SAS and a binding bid for TAP Air Portugal.

Name

Air France KLM

Legal name

Air France-KLM

Website

https://airfranceklm.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Air France-KLM is a publicly traded Franco-Dutch airline group operating passenger, cargo, MRO, and loyalty businesses through Air France, KLM, Transavia, and Flying Blue brands, serving 320+ destinations from Paris-CDG and Amsterdam-Schiphol hubs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Air Transportation / Passenger Airlines

NAICS

Scheduled Air Transportation (48111), Scheduled Passenger Air Transportation (481111), Nonscheduled Chartered Freight Air Transportation (481212)

SIC

Air Transportation, Scheduled (4512)

akta.pro primary industry

Full-Service Airlines (Passenger + Belly Cargo Integrated) (THABAAAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Scheduled Air Cargo Airlines (All-Cargo Carriers) (THABAEAA), General Cargo Air Freight Carriers (Scheduled & Charter) (TLADAAAA)

Keywords

• Passenger airline services
• Air cargo transportation
• Aircraft maintenance MRO
• Airline loyalty programs
• Low-cost carrier operations

Headquarters

HQ city

Roissy

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Infrastructure, Personnel, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Passenger transport: Core revenue from transporting passengers on Air France, KLM, and Transavia across short-haul, medium-haul, and long-haul routes. Network business revenue increased 3.6% in 2025. The group transported 103 million passengers in 2025.
2. Cargo (Air France-KLM Martinair Cargo): Revenue from air freight operations through Air France-KLM Martinair Cargo, handling 917K tonnes of freight. Cargo operations met strong demand on key Asia-Europe routes.
3. Aircraft maintenance (Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance): Revenue from providing maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services to third-party airlines and the group's own fleet. Third-party maintenance revenues increased 10.6% in 2025.
4. Transavia low-cost carrier: Revenue from Transavia's low-cost short-haul operations in France and the Netherlands. Transavia revenues increased 12.3% in 2025.
5. Flying Blue loyalty program: Revenue from co-brand partnerships and loyalty program services including everyday earning opportunities (Apple purchases, rent payments through Bilt), and Flying Blue Gold Status offerings.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Air France-KLM is a global aviation group providing passenger air transportation through three airline brands (Air France, KLM, Transavia), air cargo services via Air France-KLM Martinair Cargo, aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services through Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance, and a loyalty program (Flying Blue). Operating a fleet of 596 aircraft serving 320+ destinations in 100+ countries from hubs at Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Amsterdam-Schiphol, the group transported 103 million passengers and 917,000 tonnes of freight in 2025.

Product overview

Air France-KLM is a major global aviation group operating passenger transport, cargo, and aircraft maintenance businesses through three primary brands: Air France, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, and Transavia (low-cost). The group also operates Flying Blue (award-winning loyalty program), Air France-KLM Martinair Cargo (freight), and Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance (MRO services). With a fleet of 596 aircraft serving over 320 destinations, the group leverages two major international hubs (Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Amsterdam-Schiphol), a modernizing fleet including Airbus A350, A220, Boeing 787, and supports operations with AI-powered technologies via Google Cloud partnership.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Air France passenger airline Full-service flag carrier airline operating long-haul, medium-haul, and regional passenger services from Paris-Charles de Gaulle and other French hubs, serving leisure and business travelers across all cabin classes.
• KLM Royal Dutch Airlines passenger airline Full-service flag carrier airline operating long-haul, medium-haul, regional, and cargo passenger services from Amsterdam-Schiphol hub for leisure and business travelers.
• Transavia low-cost airline Low-cost leisure-focused airline subsidiary operating medium-haul passenger services from Paris-Orly and Amsterdam-Schiphol across Europe, generating €12.3% revenue growth in 2025.
• Flying Blue loyalty program Award-winning loyalty program ranked #1 World's Best Airline Rewards Program in 2024 and 2025, enabling members to earn and redeem miles across Air France, KLM, and partner airlines, with everyday earning options through Apple device purchases and Bilt rent payments.
• Air France-KLM Martinair Cargo Freight division combining Air France Cargo and Martinair Cargo operations, managing a fleet of dedicated cargo aircraft (Boeing 747-400 ERF, Boeing 777-F) and belly cargo capacity for time-sensitive global air freight and logistics customers.
• Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance (AFI-KLM E&M) Aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) division providing line maintenance, base maintenance, engine MRO, components, and predictive maintenance services to the group's own fleet and 200+ third-party airline customers, covering more than 3,000 aircraft.

Quantifiable outcome

• Transported 103 million passengers in 2025
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability5 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• IATA Supporting Alliance for CORSIA EEU SupplyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 June 2026Air France-KLM is among 32+ founding members of IATA's coalition to address bottlenecks in aviation's carbon offset market, targeting 225-250 million CORSIA Eligible Emissions Units by spring 2027 and $4-5 billion in climate finance during the first compliance phase.
• BiltminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 19 May 2026Bilt expanded its collaboration with Flying Blue, enabling Air France KLM Visa Signature cardholders to earn 3 Flying Blue Miles per $1 on rent payments through Bilt's platform, up to $50,000 annually. Flying Blue Gold Status is offered to Platinum members who transfer 10,000 Bilt Points.
• SAScoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 April 2026Air France-KLM initiated proceedings to take a majority stake in SAS following the airline's US Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2024. Post-restructuring, Air France-KLM became the lead shareholder alongside the Danish state. In April 2026, Portugal invited Air France-KLM (along with Lufthansa) to submit binding offers for a 44.9% minority stake in TAP Air Portugal, with binding bids due end of July 2026.
• TAP Air PortugalminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 April 2026Portugal's government requested binding bids from Air France-KLM and Lufthansa for a 44.9% minority stake in TAP Air Portugal. The privatization process is expected to conclude by early September 2026, with binding bids due by end of July and an additional 5% stake reserved for employees.
• QantasminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 June 2025Air France-KLM and Qantas extended their longstanding partnership to enhance connectivity between Europe and Australia.
• Riyadh AirminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 June 2025Riyadh Air and Air France-KLM signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a strategic cooperation and expand global connectivity.
• Google CloudcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2024Google Cloud partnered with Air France-KLM to deploy generative AI across 551 aircraft and 93 million annual passengers, reducing predictive maintenance analysis time from hours to minutes. The partnership is part of a broader industry AI adoption trend.
• CMA CGMcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 May 2022CMA CGM and Air France-KLM formed a 10-year strategic partnership in global air cargo, combining networks, fleets, and commercial activities. CMA CGM became a reference shareholder acquiring up to 9% of Air France-KLM shares, and the two companies operate full-freighter aircraft jointly with collaborative sales efforts.
• Delta Air LinescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAir France-KLM operates a major transatlantic joint venture with Delta Air Lines and Virgin Atlantic, including a 2026 amendment to the agreement. Delta holds a board seat on Air France-KLM through Alain Bellemare as permanent representative. Castlelake (owner of SAS alongside Air France-KLM) was mentioned in relation to easyJet M&A speculation.
• China Eastern AirlinescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAir France-KLM has a joint venture with China Eastern Airlines for the Paris-Shanghai route, with an amended agreement authorized by the board in April 2024. China Eastern holds a board seat through Wan Qingchao as board member.
• Virgin AtlanticcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the transatlantic joint venture along with Delta Air Lines, sharing revenues and costs on routes between Europe and North America.
• Airlines for Europe (A4E)minorOthersAir France-KLM is a member of Airlines for Europe (A4E), the leading airline industry lobby group that collectively advocated on ETS, SAF mandates, and Middle East fuel supply issues.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Lufthansa Group: Closest structural peer to Air France-KLM: a European full-service network group operating multiple brand tiers (Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian, Brussels, plus Discover/Edelweiss), with integrated cargo (Lufthansa Cargo) and the largest third-party MRO business (Lufthansa Technik). Both groups combine flag-carrier heritage, dual or multi-hub networks, and government-influenced ownership.
• International Airlines Group (IAG): Parent of British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus, Vueling and LEVEL, IAG mirrors Air France-KLM's structure of combining full-service flag carriers (BA, Iberia) with a European low-cost arm (Vueling, akin to Transavia). Both groups operate transatlantic joint ventures, integrated loyalty programs (Avios vs Flying Blue), and pursue multi-brand European consolidation.
• Delta Air Lines: SkyTeam partner and AF-KLM's principal transatlantic joint-venture partner (with Virgin Atlantic). Both are full-service global network carriers with similar premium-cabin strategies, hub-and-spoke operations, and diversified revenue across passenger, cargo, and maintenance. Delta holds a board seat at AF-KLM, deepening the operational and economic alignment.
• Air Canada: North American full-service network carrier with comparable long-haul transatlantic structure and a similar three-brand portfolio (Air Canada mainline, Air Canada Rouge, Air Canada Express). Strong corporate and loyalty program (Aeroplan) parallels Air France-KLM's Flying Blue franchise. Shared transatlantic corporate contracts and competitive overlap on CDG/Montreal/York corridors.
• United Airlines: Star Alliance full-service global network carrier overlapping Air France-KLM on transatlantic corporate traffic. Both operate major hubs, premium-cabin products, integrated cargo (United Cargo vs Martinair Cargo), and MileagePlus/Flying Blue-style loyalty programs. Significant competitor on corporate negotiated fares and joint-venture routes.
• American Airlines: Oneworld full-service global network carrier and direct competitor to Air France-KLM on North Atlantic corporate and leisure traffic. Both operate extensive hub systems, integrated cargo, and frequent-flyer programs (AAdvantage vs Flying Blue) at similar scale. Joint business agreements with British Airways/Iberia overlap with AF-KLM's Delta joint venture.
• Cathay Pacific: Hong Kong-based premium full-service network carrier with comparable long-haul, hub-and-spoke structure and a similar "oneworld" alliance alignment of cargo, passenger, and loyalty (Cathay Cargo, Marco Polo Club). Competes with AF-KLM on Asia-Europe corporate traffic and serves overlapping premium business traveler segments.
• Singapore Airlines: Premium full-service network carrier with a comparable hub-and-spoke model (Singapore Changi), loyalty program (KrisFlyer), and integrated cargo (Scoot/SIA Cargo) business. Overlaps with Air France-KLM on Asia-Europe premium corporate traffic and operates a similar multi-brand portfolio (SIA mainline, SilkAir-style regional, Scoot low-cost), benchmarking service quality and unit economics.

Broad incumbents

• easyJet: Europe's second-largest low-cost carrier, competing most directly with Transavia on short-haul intra-European point-to-point routes from France, the Netherlands, and the UK. Like Transavia, it sits alongside a larger network group (though easyJet is independent), targeting the same leisure and VFR traveler base and squeezing short-haul feeder yields into the AF/KLM hubs.
• Ryanair: Largest European low-cost carrier by passengers, competing with Transavia on short-haul routes and with Air France/KLM on price-sensitive intra-European traffic. Its aggressive pricing and route expansion across France, the Netherlands, and Germany directly pressure AF-KLM's short-haul yields, which in turn underpin hub feed for long-haul.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/airfrance
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/air-france--klm

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles30 records

Subsidiaries13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds9 records

Investors4 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments2 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Air France KLM