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Air France and KLM Expand Business Class Seat Assignment Fees to More Markets
Air France-KLM has broadened its business class seat reservation fees to include more long-haul routes, affecting award tickets and most flights to North America outside the US origin point.
The gist
Air France-KLM now charges business class seat assignment fees on more routes, including all award tickets, with some fees exceeding $200.
Continuing coverage
All Ancillary Revenue →Air France and KLM have recently extended a controversial business class policy initiated in spring 2023, introducing seat assignment fees across more routes and ticket types. Initially limited, the Advance Seat Reservation (ASR) scheme now applies more broadly to long-haul flights, including award tickets globally and most routes to North America that do not originate in the United States. This expansion marks a significant shift in premium cabin customer experience for the airline group.
The ASR fees apply to all business class tickets booked under Business Light and Business Standard fare categories on long-haul flights, except those beginning in the US. Meanwhile, passengers holding Flying Blue Silver, Gold, and Platinum status, Business Flex ticket holders, and most corporate customers (excluding bluebiz members) are exempt from the charges. Notably, travelers in business class may still select seats without charge during check-in, although options may be limited or less desirable.
Pricing for advance seat assignments varies widely and can reach or exceed $200 per flight segment. Premium seats such as front row business class suites on certain aircraft incur higher fees than standard seat assignments. For example, on a non-elite award booking from San Francisco to Paris, seat selection fees were around $172, discounted from an indicated standard rate of $229. Passengers can also redeem Flying Blue miles to pay fees, though the exchange rate offers considerably poor value.
These fees mirror a growing trend among European airlines, with British Airways having long levied business class seat selection charges. Similarly, Lufthansa Group’s new premium business class products have introduced seat assignment fees on most seats. Air France-KLM possesses a fleet primarily featuring reverse herringbone seats, which provide a consistent experience across seats, arguably reducing the incentive to pay extra for preferred seating.
Operationally, the exemption of US-originating business class tickets from these fees likely reflects the competitive dynamics and joint ventures in the transatlantic market, particularly Air France-KLM’s partnership with Delta Air Lines. Delta itself is launching a basic business class fare, signaling a broader industry movement towards ancillary revenue generation within premium cabins.
Air France-KLM’s decision to monetize seat assignments in business class comes as airlines face a changed business travel landscape; post-pandemic reductions in corporate travel have prompted carriers to optimize revenue from leisure travelers willing to pay premium prices. This strategy allows the airline to capture additional income from passengers who value seat choice but are less price-sensitive than before.
Consumer sentiment towards paid seat selection in premium cabins remains largely negative, as the practice clashes with expectations of inclusive service in business class. However, the airline appears to calculate that its brand equity, route network, and competitive positioning will retain customer loyalty despite these charges.
This policy expansion indicates how legacy carriers are balancing investments in upmarket products with ancillary revenue initiatives. While Air France and KLM continue to upgrade their premium offerings, business class seat assignment fees could be considered a trade-off that some passengers will reluctantly accept. The company has maintained clarity on which ticket categories and customers are exempt, attempting to mitigate dissatisfaction among frequent flyers and corporate clients.
Frequently asked questions
- Which Air France-KLM passengers are exempt from business class seat assignment fees?
- Flying Blue Silver, Gold, and Platinum members, Business Flex passengers, and corporate customers (excluding bluebiz) do not pay the seat assignment fees.
- Do seat assignment fees apply to all Air France-KLM business class flights?
- The fees apply to all long-haul flights globally when redeeming miles, and most Business Light and Business Standard tickets, except revenue tickets originating in the United States.
- Can passengers use Flying Blue miles to pay for seat assignment fees?
- Yes, Flying Blue miles can be redeemed to cover seat assignment fees, but the redemption value is generally low, around half a cent per mile.
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An upgrade from Abu Dhabi to Paris used to cost $1,590, while now it costs $3,191. Meanwhile an upgrade from Abu Dhabi to Toronto used to cost $3,191, and now costs $5,491. I think it's much harder to make the math on this splurge work at the new pricing… What do you make of Etihad increase the cost of upgrades to The Residence?
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