The Flying Blue Stopover program by Air France and KLM is introducing exciting changes, allowing you to add free stopovers to your trips. Whether you’re an experienced globetrotter or just looking to make your travel adventures more memorable, this revamped program is here to take your journey to the next level.
Table of contents
What is a Flying Blue Stopover?
A stopover is a layover that lasts more than 24 hours, allowing passengers to explore a destination before continuing to their final destination. Flying Blue Stopovers are unique as they provide members with the opportunity to spend up to 12 months in the stopover city. This extended duration allows for a more immersive experience and flexibility in planning trips.
Although Flying Blue is the frequent flyer program for Air Calin, Kenya Airways, Tarom, Transavia, and Air France-KLM, the new stopover rules only apply to KLM and Air France flights.
Eligible Trips for Stopovers
Flying Blue Stopovers can be added to both one-way and round-trip flights, as well as open-jaw itineraries. This flexibility is advantageous as it allows members to explore multiple destinations on a single ticket.
The program even includes 5th Freedom Flights, which are flights operated by an airline between two countries outside of the airline’s home country. This is significant because it allows members to enjoy stopovers in unique destinations not typically offered by KLM or Air France. For example, you could book a flight reward between Paris (CDG) and Bali (DPS) with a free Flying Blue stopover in Singapore (SIN) by combining Air France and KLM flights.
Booking a Flying Blue Stopover
As of December 9th, free stopovers on Flying Blue award tickets are live, but currently, they can only be booked through the Flying Blue call centre (800-375-8723). To book a stopover, simply provide your flight details, including the desired stopover city and duration, to the call centre agent.
Calculating Stopovers with Flying Blue Miles
When booking a stopover with Flying Blue, the total miles required will be calculated based on the sum of the individual flights, including the stopover. For example, if you were flying from New York (JFK) to Paris (CDG) with a stopover in Amsterdam (AMS), and the miles needed for New York to Amsterdam were 25,000, and Amsterdam to Paris were 10,000, the total miles required for the trip would be 35,000 (25,000 + 10,000).
Making the Most of the Stopover Program
Flying Blue’s improved stopover program offers an excellent opportunity for members to explore new destinations without incurring extra costs. Here are a few tips to help you make the most of Flying Blue Stopovers:
- Use stopovers to explore a destination you’ve always wanted to visit. This way, you can get a taste of the city and decide if it’s worth a more extended trip in the future. Plus, by combining multiple destinations in one trip, you can save on additional flights and potentially reduce your carbon footprint.
- Make the most of the 12-month stopover duration by planning a more immersive experience in the stopover city. This extended time allows you to dive deeper into the culture, cuisine, and history of the destination, turning a simple layover into a valuable travel experience.
- If you have a long layover, book a stopover instead of spending hours in the airport and use the time to rest, relax, and explore the city. This not only breaks up long flights but also provides you with a more enjoyable travel experience overall.
- Compare Flying Blue Stopovers with other airline stopover programs to see which offers the best value and destination options. For example, Turkish Airlines provides a free stopover with a hotel stay for eligible routes, making it an attractive choice for travellers who prefer added convenience.
Conclusion
Flying Blue Stopovers provides an excellent opportunity for travellers to explore new destinations and maximize the value of their award flights. With the inclusion of 5th Freedom Flights and the ability to add stopovers to various types of itineraries, the possibilities are endless. So, the next time you book a flight with KLM or Air France, consider taking advantage of Flying Blue’s improved stopover program.
