About KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
KLM, or Koninklijke Luchtvaart Maatschappij N.V. (Royal Aviation Company), is the national flag carrier of the Netherlands and one of the world’s oldest continuously operating scheduled airlines, founded in 1919. KLM is a major player in the global aviation industry, serving a vast network of destinations across Europe, the Americas, Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean.
Since 2004, it has been part of the Air France-KLM Group, playing a pioneering role in European air transport. KLM is known for its focus on offering customers a memorable experience and is a key member of the SkyTeam Alliance.
KLM Affiliate Program Overview
The KLM Affiliate Program offers an opportunity for affiliates to earn commissions by promoting KLM flights booked via KLM.com. It is primarily designed for partners who can drive relevant traffic to flight bookings.
| Feature | Description |
| Industry | Travel, Airline |
| Product Type | Flight Bookings (Services) |
| Affiliate Program Type | Cost Per Sale (CPS) |
KLM Affiliate Program Offers
KLM provides affiliates with essential resources and operates with clear terms regarding cookie duration and accepted traffic. The program is generally managed through affiliate networks.
| Factor | Description |
| Promotional Materials | High-quality graphics and text banners, link maker, product feed, custom made mobile banners, and flight search widgets. |
| Affiliate Cookie Duration | 30 days |
| Accepted Traffic Sources | Travel-related websites, blogs, and comparison sites/apps. |
| Accepted Countries | Global (tracking is cross-country and supports all bookings on KLM.com irrespective of the country website, departure airport, language, or currency). |
| Explicit Content | Not accepted (standard for a major corporate brand). |
| Religious or Political Content | Not accepted (standard for a major corporate brand). |
KLM Affiliate Commissions & Payments
The commission structure is revenue-share based and tiered by flight type. Payments are typically handled by the affiliate network used by KLM.
| Factor | Description |
| MLM | No (This is a standard affiliate program, not Multi-Level Marketing). |
| Commission Rate | 1% of revenue for medium-haul flights; 1.5% of revenue for long-haul flights. |
| Commission Structure | Percentage of revenue, tiered based on flight type (medium-haul vs. long-haul). |
| Payout Frequency | Typically monthly (paid by the affiliate network). |
| Payout Methods | Direct Deposit or wire transfer (through the affiliate network). |
| Minimum Payout | Varies by the affiliate network managing the program. Specific information is not publicly detailed by KLM. |
Suitable Affiliates for KLM Affiliate
The KLM Affiliate Program is best suited for established partners who can generate a high volume of quality traffic focused on flight bookings and travel planning, as the commission rate is low but the average order value (flight price) is high.
| Affiliate Type | Suitability |
| Bloggers | High Suitability (Especially those focused on travel reviews, destination guides, and ‘how-to book flights’ content). |
| TikTokers | Moderate Suitability (Can be effective for driving traffic if content is focused on detailed travel planning/links, but difficult for direct conversion). |
| KOC/KOL/Influencers | Moderate to High Suitability (Those with an audience interested in premium or long-haul travel experiences are best suited). |
| YouTubers | High Suitability (Travel vloggers and reviewers with detailed affiliate links in descriptions are ideal). |
| Video Editors | Low Suitability (Unless they run their own high-traffic travel channels/sites). |
| Livestreamers | Low Suitability (Not an ideal medium for the long-form consideration required for flight booking). |
KLM Affiliate Software
KLM generally utilizes a third-party affiliate network to manage its program.
KLM’s Affiliate Program is often managed through a large-scale affiliate network such as Partnerize or TradeDoubler, rather than using in-house affiliate management software. Partners gain access to their tracking links, promotional materials, and performance reports via the chosen network’s dashboard.
3 Alternatives for KLM Affiliate Program Comparison
Here are three major airline/travel affiliate programs that serve as good alternatives to KLM, focusing on other established global carriers: Qatar Airways, Emirates, and British Airways.
| Comparison Factor | KLM Royal Dutch Airlines | Qatar Airways | Emirates | British Airways |
| Commission Rate | 1% (Medium-haul) to 1.5% (Long-haul) | Typically 1.2% to 1.8% | Up to 2% (Varies by product and network) | Up to 1.5% (Varies by cabin and route) |
| Average Bill | High (Major international airline) | High (Premium global airline) | High (Premium global airline) | High (Major international airline) |
| Entry Fees | None (Free to join) | None (Free to join) | None (Free to join) | None (Free to join) |
| Withdrawal Threshold | Varies by Network (e.g., ~$50-$100) | Varies by Network | Varies by Network | Varies by Network |
| Payment Frequency | Typically Monthly (Via Network) | Typically Monthly (Via Network) | Typically Monthly (Via Network) | Typically Monthly (Via Network) |
| Conversion | Strong brand recognition, global reach | Strong brand, focus on luxury and Middle East hub | Strong brand, focus on premium and Middle East hub | Strong brand, focus on UK/Europe/Transatlantic |
| Marketing Materials | Banners, links, widgets, product feed, API | Banners, text links, dedicated support | Banners, links, data feeds | Banners, text links, flight search widgets |
