In June 2005, Air France’s Frequence Plus and KLM’s Flying Dutchman programs will merge into a new program: Flying Blue.
Frequence Plus and Flying Dutchman cardholders will automatically become members of the new program, and will retain all miles accrued, without any drop in value (1 Frequence Plus Mile = 1 Flying Blue Mile; 1 Flying Dutchman Mile = 1 Flying Blue Mile).
Membership numbers will remain the same, and Flying Blue membership cards will be sent to members’ registered Frequence Plus and Flying Dutchman address in May and June.
Flying Blue’s elite-level program will be made up of four levels — Ivory, Silver, Gold and Platinum. Elite members in Frequence Plus and Flying Dutchman will have their status matched in the new program.
In the coming months, members of both 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 of Air France and KLM has already led to 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 examples. The merger agreement signed in September 2003 by Air France and KLM led to the formation of the new 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.
