Since 1 July 2025, Air France and KLM have introduced a Basic fare in economy class on selected medium-haul routes. The new entry-level Basic fare does not allow a standard-size carry-on bag, and no XP points are credited to members of the Flying Blue frequent flyer program. I’ll tell you about the specifics of this barebone fare and give you my analysis.
Basic fare details
The Basic fare is the latest addition to Air France and KLM‘s fare structure in economy class, offering a lower starting price than the Light fare which was previously the cheapest.
To this end, the marketing strategy of limiting the ticket price to carriage of the passenger only is being taken a step further.
Routes concerned by the Basic fare
For its launch, the new Basic fare is available for 10 European or Mediterranean destinations: Athens, Dublin, Florence, Helsinki, Munich, Prague, Stockholm, Tunis, Turin and Vienna. It applies to flights to and from Paris or Amsterdam departing from 9 September 2025.
The Basic fare will be extended at a later date to other routes operated by Air France and KLM.
Carry-on baggage not included in the Basic fare, except for Flying Blue Elite members
The new Basic fare allows passengers to carry in the cabin only one personnal item measuring a maximum of 40 x 30 x 15 cm, to be stored under the seat.
To board with standard-size hand baggage (55 x 35 x 25 cm) to be stowed in the overhead compartment, it is necessary to purchase a specific option priced from €15 per flight (double for a return trip).
The combined weight of the personnal item included in the Basic fare and the carry-on baggage purchased optionally must not exceed 12 kg.
Members of the Flying Blue loyalty program holding Silver, Gold, Platinum or Ultimate status will enjoy a new benefit created for the occasion: they get free carriage of their standard-size cabin baggage at the Basic fare, and are therefore exempt from the additional charges incurred. Please note that it is not possible to combine the Flying Blue benefit with the purchase of the option (maximum 1 standard carry-on bag per passenger, never two in economy class).
No XP points on Basic fare
Collecting XP points is the mechanism that enables Flying Blue members to move up in the loyalty program’s tier hierarchy and enjoy various benefits, including not having to pay for hand luggage with the new Basic fare.
However, choosing the Basic fare does not award any XP for the flight. Therefore, you will not be able to upgrade your Flying Blue status by booking flights at the Basic fare.
Flying Blue miles still earned
Air France and KLM continue to credit Flying Blue miles on Basic fare tickets, according to the usual accumulation chart (between 4 and 9 miles per euro spent, depending of the member’s tier).
A deceptive price drop?
The analysis of Air France‘s one-way fares between Paris and Helsinki from 9 September 2025 shows that the new Basic fare (without cabin baggage) is €14 cheaper than the Light fare (with cabin baggage but without hold baggage).
New entry-level Basic fare from Air France
When the Basic fare is selected, an option to carry hand baggage is offered for €20 or 4,000 Flying Blue miles during the booking process.
Add a hand baggage option with the Basic fare
However, I also note a price increase of €7 between a flight scheduled on 8 September 2025 (the day before the Basic fare is effectively introduced) and a flight scheduled on 9 September 2025 across the entire fare structure (Light, Standard, and Flex) for an identical fare code.
Prices charged by Air France before introduction of the Basic fare
The few passengers who opt for the new Basic fare will therefore make a small saving, but the average price paid by all passengers increases (the airline improves its overall revenue on the flight).
Who can benefit from the Basic fare?
Given the characteristics of the new Basic fare offered by Air France and KLM, the price difference with higher fares, and the cost of the option to bring standard-size carry-on baggage, this Basic fare is intended for:
- occasional passengers traveling with a personnel item only, who are not chasing a Flying Blue Elite status
- loyal passengers holder of Elite status in Flying Blue traveling with or without standard-size hand bag and who have enough XP points to renew their current status without aspiring to reach a higher level.
All other travelers will probably be better off continuing to book at pre-existing Light (cabin baggage included), Standard (cabin baggage and hold baggage included) or Flex (cabin and hold baggage included, refundable ticket) fares.
What do you think of Air France KLM’s Basic fare?
