Flying Blue is the frequent flyer program of major airlines like Air France and KLM. To progress through membership tiers—Silver, Gold, and Platinum—members need to collect XP (eXperience Points). XP is the key metric used to determine your elite status level and unlock valuable travel benefits.
In this blog post, we’ll break down how XP works, how many XP you need for each status, how to earn XP efficiently, and tips to maximize your rewards in the Flying Blue loyalty program.
Flying Blue XP | Why It Matters
XP, short for eXperience Points, is the key to climbing the elite status ladder in the Flying Blue loyalty program (used by Air France, KLM, and other SkyTeam airlines). You earn XP based on the flights you take, and the more you fly, the more XP you accumulate.
When you reach specific XP thresholds within your membership year, your tier level—Silver, Gold, or Platinum—is upgraded. Didn’t meet the XP requirement? Flying Blue gives you a soft landing, dropping you just one tier instead of resetting completely.
Flying Blue XP | On Which Airlines Do You Earn XP?
Earning Flying Blue XP depends primarily on the flight number, not just the airline operating the flight.
Here’s how it works:
- If your flight number starts with KL (KLM) or AF (Air France), you’ll earn XP—regardless of whether the flight is operated by KLM/Air France or a SkyTeam partnerl
- You’ll also earn XP on flights marketed and operated by other SkyTeam airlines (like Delta, Aeroflot, etc.);
- Even if you’re flying a partner-operated aircraft, as long as the marketing carrier is SkyTeam, XP is typically awarded.
Flying Blue XP | How Many XP Will You Earn?
The number of Flying Blue XP (Experience Points) you earn per flight depends on two key factors: your travel class (Economy, Premium Economy, Business, or La Première) and the flight distance.
Flying Blue uses four distance brackets:
- Short (0–500 miles);
- Medium (501–1,750 miles);
- Long 1 (1,751–3,500 miles);
- Long 2 (3,501+ miles).
Business class earns more XP than economy on any distance. One exception: domestic flights (e.g., within France or the U.S.) always earn fixed XP—typically just 2 XP in economy, regardless of flight length.
For example, a KLM flight from Amsterdam to Los Angeles (5,578 miles) falls in the Long 2 category. In Business Class, this earns 36 XP.
✅ Tip: Always consult the Flying Blue XP earning chart to check how your route and cabin class affect XP.
How to Calculate Flying Blue XP for Your Trip
To estimate how much Flying Blue XP you’ll earn, you can use the XP calculator on the Flying Blue website. It helps identify the distance category for each flight segment in your itinerary. If your trip includes layovers or connections, make sure to calculate XP for each individual flight leg.
For a more streamlined experience, we’ve developed our own Flying Blue XP Calculator. Simply enter your full itinerary, and it will display the XP earned per flight segment and cabin class—perfect for planning your next status upgrade.
How to Maximize XP Earned with Flying Blue
To get the most XP from your flights, consider adding stopovers to your itinerary. For example, instead of flying direct from Amsterdam to Madrid (15 XP each way), adding a layover in Paris can turn one flight into two shorter segments—earning you 30 XP per direction, or 60 XP round-trip.
Not only does this approach double your XP, but indirect flights are often cheaper than direct ones. So with a bit of smart planning, you can save money and climb status levels faster.
Occasionally, unique opportunities arise to significantly boost your XP earnings by stacking multiple transits into a single itinerary.
A few years back, an error fare allowed travelers to fly from Norway to Tel Aviv while routing through a wide range of European cities—even as far as Eastern Russia.
These types of fares, though rare, are excellent chances to accumulate large amounts of Flying Blue XP in just one trip, especially when routed creatively through SkyTeam hubs.
Frequently Asked Questions About Flying Blue XP
To wrap things up, let’s answer some of the most common questions travelers have about Flying Blue eXperience Points (XP).
Whether you’re wondering how XP is calculated, which flights qualify, or how to retain your elite status, this section is designed to clear up any confusion and help you make the most of your Flying Blue membership.
Do Flying Blue XP Expire?
Yes, Flying Blue XP points do expire. Each Flying Blue member has a designated membership year, during which you can earn XP to progress to the next membership level. Once you reach the threshold for a higher level, the required XP to achieve that level will be subtracted from your balance.
If you’re at the Explorer level and don’t earn enough XP to reach Silver status, your XP balance will be reset to zero at the end of your membership year.
Final Thoughts on Flying Blue Experience Points
For travelers accustomed to earning level miles based directly on the distance flown, XP might seem a bit unfamiliar at first.
However, once you get used to how XP is calculated and awarded, it becomes a straightforward and easy system to navigate.
