Air France & KLM, flying blue is an underrated program. You can book several airlines with flying blue miles. Both Air France & KLM are part of the SkyTeam alliance. So, you can easily book SkyTeam member airlines award flights with flying blue miles. However, flying blue is not just limited to alliance members. You can book many more partner award flights. Here are the airlines that you can book with flying blue miles.
Which are Flying Blue Airline Partners?
There are a total of 36 airline partners. Of these, 19 are SkyTeam alliance members, and 17 are non-alliance members.
Flying Blue Skyteam Alliance Airline Partners
Both Air France & KLM are Skyteam alliance members, and you can book below alliance members award flights:
| Airline | Country |
|---|---|
| Aerolíneas Argentinas | Argentina |
| Aeromexico | Mexico |
| Air Europa | Spain |
| Air France | France |
| China Airlines | Taiwan |
| China Eastern | China |
| Czech Airlines | Czech Republic |
| Delta Air Lines | United States |
| Garuda Indonesia | Indonesia |
| ITA Airways | Italy |
| Kenya Airways | Kenya |
| KLM | Netherlands |
| Korean Air | South Korea |
| Middle East Airlines | Lebanon |
| Saudia | Saudi Arabia |
| TAROM | Romania |
| Vietnam Airlines | Vietnam |
| Virgin Atlantic | United Kingdom |
| Xiamen Airlines | China |
Flying Blue Non-Alliance Members
There are a total of 17 Non-Alliance members that you can book with non-alliance members:
| Airline | Country |
|---|---|
| Air Corsica | France |
| Air Mauritius | Mauritius |
| airBaltic | Latvia |
| Aircalin | New Caledonia |
| Bangkok Airways | Thailand |
| Chalair Aviation | France |
| China Southern Airlines | China |
| Copa Airlines | Panama |
| Etihad Airways | United Arab Emirates |
| GOL | Brazil |
| Japan Airlines | Japan |
| Malaysia Airlines | Malaysia |
| Qantas | Australia |
| Transavia | Netherlands |
| Twin Jet | France |
| WestJet | Canada |
| Winair | Saint Maarten |
Flying Blue Award Charts
There are no published Flying Blue Award Charts. For Air France & KLM flights, the miles requirement changes based on demand. However, the miles are fixed for partner airlines and don’t change.
Unique Flying Blue Airline Partners
What I particularly like about Flying Blue is its unique airline partners. These airline partners may also be bookable with other partners; however, flying blue is a good option, too.
- Air Mauritius
- Bangkok Airways
- Copa Airlines [Star Alliance Member]
- Etihad Airways
- Japan Airlines [OneWorld Member]
- Malaysia Airlines [OneWorld Member]
- Qantas [OneWorld Member]
- WestJet
Of the above airlines, Air Mauritius is also bookable with Aeroplan points.
Where to search for award availability?
I recommend using Air France instead of KLM to search bookable awards with flying blue miles.
Pro Tip: To search for extended partner availability on the Air France website, change your region to the United States.
How to search for award availability?
There is no easy way to search for partner award availability. However, for Air France & KLM, it can be done.
While searching for Air France & KLM award flights don’t enter any dates just enter the basic details and search flights.
You will see a calendar result with the lowest miles highlighted in green. However, it is not always 100% correct. You may be able to find cheaper award flights than these calendar results.
Aerolíneas Argentinas
Aerolíneas Argentinas is part of the SkyTeam and the flag carrier of Argentina. This airline is a good option if you want to fly within Argentina. However, the miles requirement is high, whereas taxes are low.
Currently, there aren’t many international destinations this airline flies to.
Aeromexico
Aeromexico is a flag carrier of Mexico and a fairly big enough airline in South America. It also has a popular frequent flyer program and doesn’t release much inventory to Air France for both Domestic & International Flights.
Also, certain international award prices can be more expensive than Air France & KLM airlines for flights to Europe. For Example, this Mexico to London direct flight will cost 45K in an economy cabin, whereas with a stopover flight in Amsterdam, you can fly in just 38K miles, however, with double taxes.
Air France & KLM
Flying Blue can be easily redeemed for Air France & KLM flights. However, there are dynamic awards. They also have an interactive rewards map showing the minimum miles between Air France & KLM destinations. However, it does have errors if there is any backtracking flight.
You can fly for 25% fewer miles with flying blue promo rewards. Promo rewards monthly include flights to many destinations from Amsterdam and Paris hubs.
China Eastern
China Eastern is a Taiwanese airline. India doesn’t have any direct flights with Taiwan. And, if you want to fly Skyteam Airlines, you would need 29.5K flying miles in economy class.
Travelling from the United States to Taiwan, China Eastern costs 47K miles in economy class, the industry standard pricing.
Delta Air Lines
Delta Air Lines is one of the four major airlines in the United States of America. Due to Covid-19, flights to certain countries are yet to be restarted. However, it still travels to several International & Domestic destinations.
The long Domestic flights on Delta could cost 20.5K miles in an economy cabin. However, this is more expensive than Delta 12K SkyMiles. If you can easily earn flying blue miles, then who’s complaining?
Then, the Business class may still be inexpensive sometimes. Internationally, Flying Blue is a good option to use for Delta Airlines.
For Example, ATL to JNB would cost 59K flying blue miles with just $10 in taxes. It’s cheaper even than Delta Miles and Virgin Atlantic. However, premium cabin awards are limited to Air France.
Garuda Indonesia
Garuda Indonesia is the flag carrier of Indonesia. With a fleet size of 75, it travels to several destinations in Indonesia and other parts of the world.
The longest flight in Indonesia is between Jakarta & Jayapura. This flight in the economy cabin will cost 16.5K miles with $55 in taxes, whereas Business Class will cost 32.5K with $36 in taxes.
If you happens to be flying from Terminal 3, Saphire Plaza Premium Lounge is a good option if Garuda Indonesia Lounge is not for you.
Internationally, the longest Garuda Indonesia flight is between Jakarta & Amsterdam. And this flight will set you back with 49K flying blue miles. For Business Class, the miles are doubled.
ITA Airways
ITA Airways joined SkyTeam in 2021. Since it already runs a popular frequent flyer program, the number of seats with partners is limited.
If you want to travel on ITA Airways from Delhi, it would cost 62.5K to fly blue miles with just $17.14 in taxes.
Italy to the United States costs 72K in flying blue miles and $80 in taxes. These prices are great and competitive.
You won’t find many ITA Airways economy award spaces on Air France & Virgin Atlantic. Mostly, it would be business class.
Kenya Airways
Kenya’s flag carrier is Kenya Airways. It is one of the big African airlines. You can fly from Mumbai to Nairobi on Kenya Airways. Also, it goes from Nairobi to JFK, making it one of the five African airlines to fly to JFK.
It costs 29.5K to fly blue miles to travel between BOM-NBO economy class with business class costing 72K, which is expensive. If you have Virgin Atlantic Points, then it would be cheaper than flying blue miles.
I find Kenya Airways awards to be really expensive on Air France with flying blue miles.
Korean Air
Korean Air is a big airline. It flies to over 100+ destinations with over 150+ fleet sizes. You can fly to South Korea from New Delhi & Mumbai.
You can fly from Delhi to Seoul for 23.5K miles in an economy cabin.
However, seats are limited for flying blue across several destinations. This is due to Korean Air’s popular SkyPass frequent flyer program.
Saudia
Saudia flies to several Indian cities. You can fly Saudia from DEL-JED for 35K, flying blue miles. It is expensive to take a six-hour flight.
If you consider travelling to the United States from Saudia, it would be expensive even for an economy flight.
So, I would avoid using flying blue miles on Saudia due to the expensive pricing.
Vietnam Airlines
I love Vietnam Airlines livery. It is decked in All blue. Then, it also flies to many destinations, including Australia. Delhi & Mumbai are the only two destinations Vietnam Airlines flies in India. And the mile requirement is also decent.
You can fly between Delhi & Ho Chi Minh City for 18.5K, flying blue miles, which is a good price.
If you are considering travelling from Vietnam to London, it could cost you 51K Miles.
Again, you won’t find many awards on the Air France website of Vietnam Airlines.
Virgin Atlantic
Virgin Atlantic already have a solid frequent flyer program. However, you can also book a Virgin Atlantic Award seat with Flying Blue Miles.
Virgin Atlantic flies to several US cities. Using flying blue miles, you can fly US west cost from London in 36.5K miles. And, the east cost 22K flying blue miles. However, taxes would be significant.
However, Business class for East cost would cost 71K miles and a whopping $540 in taxes.
Still, this could be less expensive than Virgin Atlantic itself during Peak Season travel dates.
So, Flying Blue is a decent program to book Virgin Atlantic flights during peak season dates.
Air Mauritius
Air Mauritius is not a big airline. It travels to a few destinations and doesn’t even have flights to the US.
You can travel to Mauritius from Mumbai in an economy cabin with 40K flying blue miles. Meanwhile, Business Class will cost 100K miles with the same taxes.
Considering the position of Mauritius, the lowest miles would be for travelling to South Africa & Madagascar.
Another alternative would be Air Canada Aeroplan Points, which would be less expensive.
Aircalin
It is an airline based in Oceiana with flights to Australia, Japan, Fiji, New Zealand & Singapore. You can fly between Singapore & Noumea with Airclain economy class for 45K flying Blue miles. There would be a low chance you might use this airline, and flying blue can be useful.
Bangkok Airways
Bangkok Airways is a boutique airline based in Thailand. You can fly to Thailand’s nearby countries with Bangkok Airways. It also partners with Qantas.
You can use Bangkok Airways for extensive travel in Thailand. Qantas may be a little less expensive than flying Blue Miles for booking a Bangkok Airways flight.
Copa Airlines
A Star Alliance member and flag carrier of Panama. Since it is part of Star Alliance, several options exist to book Copa Award flights. However, if you have a stash of flying blue miles, you can still use it for travel within South America. I must say, prices are competitive, including the business class.
Etihad Airways
Etihad is the newest partner of Air France. Surprisingly, flying blue is one of the best options for booking Etihad flights.
We covered this in ways to book the Etihad Award and found that the Miles requirement is highly competitive and availability is best among other partner airlines.
It is even cheaper to book Etihad than using Saudia awards. So, travellers from the Middle East would surely make better use of flying blue miles on Etihad.
GOL
This airline is under bankruptcy proceedings and is a low-cost carrier from Brazil. It has partnerships with big airlines like American Airlines, Emirates, British Airways, Air France & many more. The miles requirement is very high for low-cost airlines and short-haul flights.
Japan Airlines
Japan Airlines needs no introduction. It also has a great frequent flyer program if you know how to use it. Even though this partnership excites me, the miles needed to book an award flight make it vanish.
Look at this eight-hour flight in an economy cabin costing 84.5K miles. With a stopover in Hanoi, you can travel via Vietnam Airlines in 33.5K miles in half taxes.
However, flights within Japan are reasonably priced, but it is double of what Japan Airlines & United Airlines charge.
So, Ideally, you should not use flying blue miles on Japan Airlines.
Malaysia Airlines
Another Oneworld airline, Malaysia Airlines, is a partner of Air France. Firstly, flying blue is not the best redemption program for Malaysia Airlines. However, those earning flying blue miles faster and easier won’t complain much.
For Example, one can fly between Sydney and Kuala Lumpur for 44.5K miles and just $78.20 in taxes.
Malaysia Airlines doesn’t offer premium cabin availability too easily, even to Oneworld partners. So, Economy cabins may have better availability.
Qantas
Third, Oneworld partner airlines. A possible reason for this partnership could be that there are no Air France or KLM flights in Oceania. Flying Blue is a good option for long flights in Australia to book Qantas flights. It is not just limited to Australia. Long flights can also be booked with flying blue miles.
WestJet
WestJet is the second largest airline in Canada. It is not part of any alliance. So, any opportunity to book a WestJet award is welcomed.
You can fly on one of the WestJet flights for a reasonable number of flying blue miles. However, KLM may have cheaper flights to Europe.
Bonus: SkyWest Airlines
SkyWest is not a direct partner of Air France. However, SkyWest flies several flights daily for all the major airlines. So, all Delta flights operated by SkyWest can be booked with Air France flying blue miles. You can find its route map here.
And, if you’re travelling from Seattle to Vancouver, you can fly SkyWest-operated flights for 10.5K miles.
Free Stopover
You can use a free stopover for all airline partners. There is no exception to it. You need to call Flying Blue customer care to book one, as they can’t be booked online.
The cheapest option to book a stopover is to split your connecting flight. Since Flying Blue miles are based on segment, you won’t be charged extra unless the award price is unavailable on the day of departure.
Suppose you’re travelling from Los Angeles to Paris. You will have a direct flight option, which may even be priced higher, but you also have a connecting flight in Amsterdam. Then, you can add a stopover in Amsterdam and travel to Paris the next day or after a few days.
Cancellation & Changes
A fee of €70 is charged for any cancellation or flight changes. Earlier, this fee was €50, which has now been increased.
You can request a refund via the website. However, to get a refund of miles & taxes, you must call Flying Blue customer care and pay taxes while on the callback. Flying Blue customer care as good enough to handle queries easily.
Which Flying Blue Airline Partners to Avoid?
Of 36 airline partners that Air France Flying Blue has do avoid the following airlines as the miles requirement is significantly high:
- Aerolíneas Argentinas
- Air Mauritius
- GOL
- Kenya Airways
- Saudia
- Japan Airlines
Which Airline has limited seat availability?
You will find limited seats available on the following airlines bookable with Flying Blue:
- Aeromexico
- ITA Airways [Economy Cabin]
- Korean Air
- Vietnam Airlines [Business Class]
- Japan Airlines [Business Class]
- Qantas [Business Class]
Is the Flying Blue Miles the Cheapest for partner airlines redemption?
Not really. Flying Blue may or may not be the cheapest option to book an award redemption. However, these miles are easiest to earn, so you have plenty of options to use miles on several airlines.
Bottomline
With vast flying blue airline partners, you can travel anywhere. All these partners are bookable with flying blue miles. However, some of them should be avoided as the number of miles needed is absurdly high. Make sure to use a free stopover to get benefits from flying blue miles.
