Brussels Airlines vs KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
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Researched and checked: 11 Oct 2026
Brussels Airlines and KLM are the flag carriers of neighbouring countries, Belgium and the Netherlands. Travellers compare them because Brussels and Amsterdam are close enough by train that many people in Belgium, the Netherlands and the surrounding region can choose either airport for a European or intercontinental trip. Brussels Airlines is in Star Alliance, and KLM is in SkyTeam.
Quick verdict
Both are full-service network carriers, but they differ in scale. KLM is the larger airline, with about 125 mainline aircraft and 171 destinations, and has more long-haul cabin choice, including Premium Comfort. Brussels Airlines is smaller, with 48 aircraft and 93 destinations, and its strength is Africa, where it has a long-established West and Central African network, plus North America. Pick KLM for global reach and cabin choice from Amsterdam. Pick Brussels Airlines for Africa or if Brussels is your nearest airport.
Choose Brussels Airlines if…
- You are flying to West or Central Africa, where it has a long-standing network from Brussels.
- Brussels Airport is your closest hub, or you prefer Star Alliance and Miles & More.
- You want a simple long-haul A330 with Business and Economy cabins on Africa and North America routes.
Choose KLM Royal Dutch Airlines if…
- You want a wider choice of destinations, as it serves 171 across Europe, the Americas, Africa, the Middle East and Asia.
- You want more cabin choice, since Premium Comfort and Economy Comfort sit between Economy and Business.
- You are a SkyTeam or Flying Blue member, or connect to Delta flights, and want Crown Lounge access.
At a glance
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Key differences
Network and hubs
Brussels Airlines has a single hub at Brussels Airport and serves 93 destinations, mostly in Europe, Africa and North America. KLM flies from Amsterdam Schiphol to 171 destinations, adding South America, the Middle East and Asia, and codeshares with SkyTeam partners such as Delta. Brussels Airlines is the better choice for many African cities, while KLM is the broader global connector.
Cabins and seats
KLM's long-haul cabins are World Business Class, Premium Comfort, Economy Comfort and Economy. Premium Comfort is on its 777s and 787s, with about 38 in of pitch against about 31 in in Economy, according to OneMileAtATime. Brussels Airlines' A330-300s have Business and Economy cabins, with 30 Business seats of 293 in total. Its A319, A320 and A320neo aircraft on European routes are single-class.
Baggage and fares
On KLM, Economy Basic includes only a small under-seat bag (40 x 30 x 15 cm). Light, Standard and Flex add a hand baggage piece (55 x 35 x 25 cm), with a 12 kg combined limit. Business allows up to 18 kg. Brussels Airlines also varies by fare: a third-party summary says Economy Light excludes a free checked bag. Check the fare conditions for your route before booking.
Fleet
Brussels Airlines flies an all-Airbus fleet of 48 aircraft. It received its first A320neo in November 2023, and 5 more are on order. KLM's mainline fleet is about 125 aircraft. Its narrow-bodies are mostly Boeing 737 Next Generation aircraft, due to be replaced by the A320neo family. Its wide-bodies are the A330, 777 and 787, and Air France-KLM announced an order for 50 A350s in September 2023.
Lounges and loyalty
Brussels Airlines uses Miles & More, shared with the Lufthansa Group, and Star Alliance benefits apply. KLM uses Flying Blue, shared with Air France. KLM Crown Lounges at Schiphol, Toronto and Houston are free for Business Class passengers and Flying Blue Gold, Platinum and Ultimate members, and others can pay for access.
Brussels–Amsterdam connections
Many passengers flying between Brussels and Schiphol are connecting to or from KLM flights, according to KLM. KLM has sold train seats on that leg as an alternative to flying, so the two airports are close enough to treat as alternatives. Compare total journey time and fare, including the ground trip.
Frequently asked questions
Is KLM better than Brussels Airlines?
KLM is bigger, with 171 destinations and a Premium Comfort cabin on long-haul. Brussels Airlines is smaller, but strong for Africa. The better choice depends on your destination and nearest airport.
Which has more legroom, KLM or Brussels Airlines?
KLM long-haul Economy has about 31 in of pitch and Premium Comfort about 38 in. Brussels Airlines seat pitch is best checked on its website for your aircraft and route.
Does KLM include checked baggage?
It depends on the fare and route. KLM's Economy Basic fare includes only a small under-seat bag for hand baggage. Higher fares add a larger cabin bag, so check the fare rules before booking. The same applies to Brussels Airlines, so check the fare rules for your route.
About Brussels Airlines Read more
Overview
Brussels Airlines is the flag carrier of Belgium. It was formed by an amalgamation on 7 November 2006 and began operations on 25 March 2007. It is part of the Lufthansa Group, is a member of Star Alliance and is headquartered at Brussels Airport. Its IATA code SN is inherited from Sabena and SN Brussels Airlines. Its ICAO code is BEL and its call sign is BEE-LINE. The code DAT, supplied in the request, does not match the Wikipedia entry.
Network and hubs
The only hub is Brussels Airport. According to Wikipedia, the airline serves 93 destinations, mainly in Europe, Africa and North America. It has long been known for its West and Central African network, and it kept flying to Western Africa during the 2014 Ebola outbreak. It has interline agreements with other carriers, including Africa World Airlines, which connects Accra and Brussels.
Fleet
The fleet is all-Airbus. Wikipedia lists 48 aircraft, with 5 more on order (retrieved October 2026):
- 13 Airbus A319-100, 141 seats, to be replaced by the A320neo
- 16 Airbus A320-200, 180 seats
- 8 Airbus A320neo, 180 seats; 5 more on order
- 11 Airbus A330-300, 293 seats, including 30 in Business
The airline received its first A320neo in November 2023. These were the first new aircraft in its history. It planned to have eight by summer 2026.
On board
Long-haul A330-300 aircraft have a Business cabin and an Economy cabin. Short- and medium-haul aircraft have a single-class layout with 141 to 180 seats. Seat pitch, meal, entertainment and Wi-Fi details were not confirmed from sources for this profile. Check the airline's website for the fare and route being booked.
Good to know
- Loyalty programme: Miles & More, shared with the Lufthansa Group, and Star Alliance benefits apply.
- Baggage allowances and change fees depend on fare and route. See the airline's website for current rules.
- The airline has about 4,000 employees and its CEO is Lorenza Maggio, per Wikipedia.
About KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Read more
Overview
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines is the flag carrier of the Netherlands. According to Wikipedia, it was founded on 7 October 1919 and is often described as the world's oldest airline still operating under its original name. It is headquartered in Amstelveen and is part of the Air France–KLM group. KLM is a member of the SkyTeam alliance. Its subsidiaries include KLM Cityhopper, Martinair and Transavia.
Network and hubs
The hub is Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. Wikipedia lists scheduled passenger and cargo services to 171 destinations, covering Europe, North and South America, Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Many passengers connect at Schiphol between European feeder routes and long-haul flights, and KLM codeshares with SkyTeam partners such as Delta.
Fleet
The KLM fleet page on Wikipedia gives a mainline fleet of about 125 aircraft (accessed September 2026); the figure excludes subsidiaries. Narrow-bodies are mostly Boeing 737 Next Generation aircraft, due to be replaced by the Airbus A320neo family. Wide-bodies used on medium and long-haul routes are the Airbus A330, Boeing 777 and Boeing 787. Air France-KLM announced an order for 50 Airbus A350 aircraft in September 2023. Fleet numbers change often, so check the sources for the latest count.
On board
- Long-haul cabins are World Business Class, Premium Comfort, Economy Comfort and Economy.
- According to OneMileAtATime, Premium Comfort is on all 777s and 787s, with about 38 in of seat pitch against about 31 in in Economy.
- According to Simple Flying, the 787s have lie-flat Business Class seats in a 1-2-1 layout.
- Entertainment, Wi-Fi and meal details vary by route and fare, so check KLM before travelling.
Good to know
- Hand baggage depends on fare, according to KLM. Economy Basic fares include only a small bag (40 x 30 x 15 cm) under the seat. Light, Standard and Flex fares add a hand baggage piece (55 x 35 x 25 cm), with a combined limit of 12 kg. Business Class allows two pieces and up to 18 kg combined. Basic passengers can buy hand baggage via My Trip up to 4 hours before departure.
- The KLM Crown Lounges at Schiphol are open to Business Class passengers and to Flying Blue Gold and Platinum members, who may bring one guest. Other travellers can pay for access. KLM also has Crown Lounges in Toronto and Houston.
- The loyalty programme is Flying Blue, shared with Air France.
Sources (4)
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