Is KLM better than British Airways?

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and British Airways are full-service, global airlines with strong reputations within Europe and beyond. Looking at three key factors – industry reputation, inflight service and networks – lets us see if KLM is better than British Airways.

 

 

BA vs KLM’s industry reputation

 

KLM ranks well among the world’s best airlines, sitting in 18th on Skytrax’s 2019 ranking while British Airways was in the 19th position. Skytrax is an international leader in reviewing and ranking airlines. In Europe, the Dutch airline ranked fourth by Skytrax while British Airways was one spot lower in fifth. In terms of best airline staff, KLM was 6th. Both airlines are ranked as four-star airlines by Skytrax, meaning they deliver good overall quality performance and product standards.

 

In recent years, British Airways has been recognised for its efforts to refresh its service particularly its first and business class offerings. British Airways was recognised with several Skytrax World Airline Awards for 2019, including the best airline staff in the United Kingdom as well as in Europe. The airline was also celebrated with the awards for Most Improved Airline in Europe and Best Cabin Crew in the United Kingdom. It also ranked as the 13th best airline cabin crew in the world.

 

The U.K.-based airline also received several Business Traveller Awards in 2020, including Best Short-Haul Carrier and Best Frequent Flyer Programme. British Airwards also received awards for Best Airport Lounge for British Airways’ Concorde Room at Heathrow Airport’s Terminal 5 and Best Travel App. The airline ranked fourth best airline in Business Traveller’s ranking for 2020.

 

 



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Inflight service and experience

 

KLM and British Airways offer quality service on board. Complementary meals and seatback entertainment are available on all long-haul flights. While KLM provides free refreshments, snacks or meals on short-haul flights, British Airways has a buy-on-board service as of January 2021 on its short-haul economy class. Both airlines also offer Wi-Fi on many of their aircraft. KLM provides free messaging using popular apps like WhatsApp and Facebook Messengers plus streaming and browsing packages for a fee. British Airways, by comparison, only offers paid packages.

 

KLM’s World Business Class features comfortable full-flat seats with in-seat power, personal entertainment screen and a privacy screen. In Europe, there is extra legroom and recline plus fine dining with KLM’s Europe Business Class. In addition to Economy Class, KLM offers seats with extra legroom for an extra fee. By comparison, British Airways has four classes of service depending on the flight and aircraft.

 

British Airways’ Euro Traveller and World Traveller are the airline’s economy services. They offer generally friendly service plus value fares. World Traveller Plus is available on long-haul flights, providing a premium economy option for passengers along with wide seats and more legroom in a separate cabin. Club Europe and Club World are British Airways’ business class services. Passengers have lounge access and fully flat beds on long-haul flights. For personalised service, First delivers luxurious comfort and dining in a private suite.

 

What sets the airlines apart is British Airways’ recognition for its premium classes and greater menu of options in terms of classes. Skytrax, for example, ranked British Airways’ First Class service as the 15th best in the world in 2019. Its Business Class product ranked third. British Airways’ Premium Economy was also recognised in the top 20, ranking 19th in the world. British Airways was also awarded the Best New Seat award for its Club Suite by Business Traveller in 2020.

 

 

KLM & British Airways global networks

 

British Airways serves all six inhabited continents, one of the few airlines in the world to provide this level of connectivity. As of January 2021, the airline flies to 192 destinations. British Airways is a member of Oneworld, an airline alliance with destinations to just over 1,000 destinations.

KLM operates to fewer airports on less continents. As of January 2021, the airline serves 145 destinations on five continents with Oceania being the only unserved region. KLM is also a member of SkyTeam, which connects passengers to more than 1,150 destinations.

 

 

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Which airline is better?

 

In many ways, KLM and British Airways offer similar experiences. Baggage and cancellation policies are similar, while availability and quality of complementary inflight meals are comparable particularly in economy class.

KLM has perks like free messaging where Wi-Fi is available and complementary refreshments, snacks or meals on all flights. Despite these advantages, British Airways still outshines KLM in terms of network, inflight experience and options, and industry reputation.

 

 



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