In June 2005, for the first time, the frequent flyer programs of two major European airlines will merge into one…
In June 2005, for the first time, the frequent flyer programs of two major European airlines will merge into one. Consequently, Air France’s Frequence Plus and KLM’s Flying Dutchman programs will join forces to give birth to Flying Blue.
With ten million members, Flying Blue is the basic tool for both airlines Customer Relations Management programmes to recognize their loyal customers, and to provide them with consistently high quality service, regardless the airline they travel on.
Flying Blue will be a strong symbol of the successful combination of Air France and KLM. This joint program is an integral part of the Group’s Customer Relations Management global strategy. Based on the principle of ‘one group, two airlines’, this strategy puts the Group’s 66,3 million customers first.
The program is both innovative and easy to use. It contains four membership levels – Ivory, Silver, Gold and Platinum. Flying Blue will enable its members to benefit from many advantages of the combined networks of Air France and KLM.
The main purpose of Flying Blue, built on the best of the former Air France and KLM frequent flyer programs, is to satisfy its members’ needs. Frequence Plus and Flying Dutchman cardholders will, of course, automatically become members of the new program, and will retain all the Miles they have accrued up to now, without any drop in value (1 Frequence Plus Mile = 1 Flying Blue Mile; 1 Flying Dutchman Mile = 1 Flying Blue Mile).
Together with more than 30 partner airlines, Flying Blue will enable customers to earn Miles and use them very advantageously on the 18,000 daily flights to 900 destinations. Furthermore, some 100 non-airline partners have joined the program, thereby increasing the opportunities to earn and burn Miles.
In the coming months, members of the Frequence Plus and Flying Dutchman programs will receive practical information concerning Flying Blue, followed by more comprehensive information at a later date.
The merger between Air France and KLM has already led to unprecedented combined offers by both airlines. The alignment of networks, the combinable fares and the harmonization of operations at the two hubs at Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, are just some of the measures aimed at facilitating access to the global network for all customers. Jean-Cyril Spinetta, Chairman and CEO of Air France declared: “Flying Blue is an excellent example of the ability of both airlines to innovate, thanks to the Air France-KLM merger. It is a great asset for our customers”.
“With Flying Blue, Air France and KLM are flying higher than their competitors, and this is just the beginning”, declared Leo van Wijk, President and CEO of KLM. This documentation (including the Flying Blue card) is sent to members who have earned Miles with Frequence Plus or Flying Dutchman in the last 24 months; the others will receive their documentation when they next use their FFP cards.
The merger agreement signed in September 2003 by Air France and KLM gave birth to Europe’s leading airline group in May 2004. The Group consists of a holding company and two airlines which retain their brands, identities and three core businesses. The new Group now represents 106,000 employees, 66.3 million passengers, 225 destinations and a fleet of 556 aircraft, thus ranking first worldwide by turnover and number one in Europe.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
