Etihad and Air France KLM extend partnership, here's what changes for frequent flyers

Air France-KLM Group and Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, today announced a new partnership between their respective loyalty programs following the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the two air groups in September 2023.

As part of this new partnership, Flying Blue, Air France and KLM loyalty program members, as well as members of Etihad Guest, Etihad Airways' loyalty program, will now be able to earn and redeem Miles on both loyalty programs when flying with Air France. , KLM or Etihad.

Following the Memorandum of Understanding signed earlier this year, Air France-KLM and Etihad Airways customers now have the opportunity to connect-and thus earn and redeem miles-to more than 60 new routes covering destinations around the world.

Reciprocal use of miles

Flying Blue Miles can be redeemed for a wide range of benefits such as flights, hotel stays worldwide, car rentals or Flying Blue Store products. Etihad Guest Miles can be spent on flights, hotel stays and vacations around the world, or on products from the Etihad Guest Reward Shop.

Air France currently operates daily flights between Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Abu Dhabi International Airport, while Etihad currently operates daily flights to both Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Amsterdam Schiphol from Abu Dhabi International Airport.

Earn Etihad Guest miles by flying AF/KL

The accumulation of miles in the Abu Dhabi airline's loyalty program will take place according to the classic table that takes into account the distance flown with the ticket class multiplier.

The accumulation there will also be in short/medium-haul flights, so even with small routes in AF and KLM's European network.

Possible scenarios

At this time, it has not been stated if and what benefits elite status holders will have in the two loyalty programs, peculiar that just recently Air France KLM announced a cut to XP point accumulations with non-Skyteam carriers.

"Mutual benefits for elite members will be announced soon." so in today's communication from the Franco-Dutch loyalty program. In addition to the cross-accumulation of points I also expect to enjoy lounge access and fast-track routes at the various airports served by the two companies.

Access to airline lounges, due to status, would be very attractive to economy travelers from Abu Dhabi, with access then to the huge new lounge in Terminal 1 and for those flying from JFK terminal 4 to New York with KLM, where there is a nice EY lounge.

The tidbit of this "marriage" might be to. Use Flying Blue points to book one of the world's best and most exclusive first class cabins namely the one aboard Eithad's A380.

The statements

Angus Clarke, executive vice president and chief commercial officer of Air France-KLM, said.: "I am very happy to further develop our partnership with Etihad Airways. This 11-year partnership is expanding further as we aim to explore opportunities in loyalty, as well as enhance our route network to benefit our customers from around the world. The attractiveness of Abu Dhabi as a destination and hub, fueled by Etihad's extensive presence spanning South and Southeast Asia, as well as Australia, brings significant wealth from this partnership. This moment marks our shared commitment to providing smooth, premium, customer-centric travel experiences to our shared global customer base and our 20 million loyal Flying Blue members."

Arik De, Etihad's chief revenue officer, said: "Following our expanded partnership with Air France-KLM signed in September, we are pleased to bring this collaboration to market for the benefit of loyal guests of both our airlines. Our 9 million Etihad Guest members will now have access to earn and redeem Etihad Guest Miles when flying with Air France-KLM, providing even more opportunities to enjoy the benefits of the program. We look forward to welcoming Flying Blue members into Etihad's expanding network to earn Flying Blue Miles when they choose to fly with Etihad."

• etihad guest
• Flying Blue