British Airways vs KLM
Side-by-side comparison of British Airways and KLM: cabin and checked baggage allowances, fees, online check-in deadlines, alliances, hubs and contacts.
United Kingdom
Netherlands| British Airways | KLM | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | United Kingdom | Netherlands |
| Founded | 1974 | 1919 |
| Type | Full-service airline | Full-service airline |
| Alliance | oneworld | SkyTeam |
| Main hubs | Heathrow Airport, Gatwick Airport | Amsterdam Airport Schiphol |
| Aircraft types | 10 | 5 |
| Cabin bag weight | 23 kg (51 lb) | 12 kg (26 lb) |
| Cabin bag size | 56 × 45 × 25 cm (22 × 18 × 10 in) | 55 × 35 × 25 cm (22 × 14 × 10 in) |
| Checked bag (Economy) | 1 piece · 23 kg (51 lb) | not included · 23 kg (51 lb) |
| First checked bag fee | from 45 GBP (≈ 61 USD) | from 25 EUR (≈ 29 USD) |
| Extra bag fee | from 45 GBP (≈ 61 USD) | from 25 EUR (≈ 29 USD) |
| Online check-in opens | 24 h | 30 h |
| Online check-in closes | 1 h | 1 h |
| Airport check-in fee | free | free |
| Customer service phone | +44 20 8738 5050 | +31 20 474 7747 |
Key differences
- British Airways allows a heavier cabin bag: 23 kg (51 lb) vs 12 kg (26 lb) at KLM.
- KLM opens online check-in earlier (30 h before departure vs 24 h).
- British Airways is a oneworld member, so miles and status benefits carry over to partner airlines.
- KLM is a SkyTeam member, so miles and status benefits carry over to partner airlines.
Other comparisons
Allowances shown are for the basic Economy fare on most routes. Fees are the lowest published prices and change often - confirm on the official websites before booking.