May 9, 2019, 3:08 pm
Last edit by: Goldorak
FLYING BLUE ULTIMATE
Main facts
Ultimate is the top status in FB.
While other FB status (Silver/Gold/Platinum) are based on experience points earning (XP), Ultimate status is obtained by Ultimate XP (UXP) earning. UXPs are earned exclusively on AF- and KL-coded (= marketed) flights, whatever the operating airline.
Some examples :
- CDG-JFK AF-marketing, AF-operating : eligible to UXP earning
- CDG-JFK DL-marketing, AF-operating : NON-eligible to UXP earning
- AMS-BOS KL-marketing, DL-operating : eligible to UXP earning
- BOS-IND KL-marketing, DL-operating : eligible to UXP earning
- SIN-SYD AF-marketing, QF-operating : eligible to UXP earning
- CDG-ARN SK-marketing, SK-operating : NON-eligible to UXP earning
XP earned via AFKL Amex cards are not eligible (those are XP and not UXP).
To qualify for Ultimate, passengers need to earn 900 UXP during a membership year. It is similar to the normal XP counter, resetting as soon as the tier is reached. Ultimate is valid for 1 year once granted.
Since 03/2023, a rollover of surplus UXP is possible. A maximum of 900 UXP is possible, and UXP are carried forward only to the next year. For example, an ULTI member earning 2,000 UXP in a membership year will see the following happening at the end of year 1:
- All FB Platinum/Club 2000-Skipper benefits
- Access to a Travel Assistant service 24/7. They are reachable by phone or by email. In practice, from 8 pm to 8 am CET, calls are taken by the Platinum line.
- highest priority on waiting list and in case of irrops
- Possibility to register up to 8 persons who can benefit from Sky Priority services and lounge access when traveling with the Ultimate member and on same PNR (lounge access is only in AFKL lounges here).
- one companion Platinum card
- when the Ultimate member is flying P, 2 guests are allowed in CDG P lounge.
- Zone 1 boarding, irrespective of travel class.
- Access to Hertz Platinum status
- unlimited downloads of newspapers & magazines on AF Play (any day, not only on day of travelling).
- Miles overdraft : Ultimate members can redeem Miles for a reward ticket worth up to 100,000 Miles more than their current Miles balance. No limit on how many times this can be used, but requires that the FB account have a positive miles balance. Need to ask the Ulti TA team to make the bookings. After account is in negative, borrowed miles will be reimbursed later with newly earned Miles (transfers from partners can be used to cover these, or even purchased miles).
- When travelling in Y class, if the adjacent seat of Ulti flyer is still free 72hrs before flight, it is automatically blocked by the system, unless flight is fully booked or if a pax needs to be re-seated on-board due to a broken seat or other reason. The seat of the Ultimate pax needs to be pre-booked and not changed starting from 72hrs before flight.
- Additional baggage allowance : +2 free bags on top of the ticket allowance
-New 05/2025 : there is an on-going F&B Buy-on-Board (BOB) test on a few AF medium-haul routes (HEL, NAP) : Ultimate members benefit from a 23 credit for food and beverages on concerned flights. Note : test is ended and BOB won't happen with AF.
- Free same-day change of flight, to an earlier or later departure on the day of departure. This benefit only applies on flights marketed and operated by AF or KLM, providing there are still seats available in the new desired flight (but the change is not dependent on availability of certain fare classes). New flight should be within 14hrs of original flight. Change can be done by the AF/KL app, kiosk or by the Ulti TA team, until 1hr before original flight time. Free same day changes only apply at segment level, one direction at a time, and cannot be used to change the itinerary (e.g. if original itinerary contains CDG-AMS-JFK, this benefit cannot be used to change to a CDG-JFK direct flight). Change of flight is not possible if a bag has already been checked. In case of flight changed, added extras e.g. pre-selected seats or meals, cannot be guaranteed on the new flight.
- Free wifi on-board (Stream pass). To benefit form it, once on the wifi logon page, you need to first connect using your booking ref + name. Then the Stream pass will appear as free and you can connect to it.
- four one-class upgrade certificates per membership year, requiring for one-way upgrade : 1 from Y to W, 1 from W to J, 2 from Y to J. Upgrades are confirmed instantly at the time of booking (via the Travel Assistant). Vouchers can also be used by one of the 8 registered friend/family members travelling by themselves. In case of a long-haul flight with a medium-haul connection/feeder (e.g. CDG-AMS-JFK), the medium-haul segment will be upgraded also with the same number of vouchers used. In case of 2 long-haul flights in connection (e,g. DXB-CDG-JFK), the use of additional vouchers is required to upgrade the 2 segments. Upgrade vouchers are usable only on AF- or KL-marketing and operating flights and the PNR must contains only the AFKL flights to be upgraded (if the PNR contains other non-AFKL flights, you cannot upgrade even just the AFKL flights). Upgrade vouchers can also be used to upgrade from J to P. Two vouchers are required for one way upgrade. The originally-booked J ticket must be a revenue ticket (= not an award ticket). Upgrade to P can only be processed during the check-in window, i.e. 30hrs before flight (conditions of a classical paid upgrade option apply). If at least 2 P seats are still available for sale, the upgrade can be processed upfront. If only 1 P seat is available, the voucher upgrade can be confirmed only 4 hrs before departure, as this single seat remains in priority available for sale or for a paid upgrade.
The upgrade coupons are valid as soon as you reach Ultimate and is valid for 12 months. The vouchers need to be used within the membership year, but can be applied for travel post expiry date.
Rules for eligible booking classes for the upgrade vouchers are described below :
- Eco to Premium Eco : availability in S is required to upgrade.
- Premium Eco to Business : availability in D is required to upgrade.
- Eco to Business : availability in D is required to upgrade.
- Business to la Premire (AF only) : OLCI paid upgrade conditions apply.
For Y to J and W to J upgrades, vouchers can be applied to award tickets. Same rules as revenue tickets apply.
For J to P upgrades (AF only) : upgrades cannot be applied to award ticket. The originally-booked J ticket must be an AF revenue ticket.
Airline-specific soft (unpublished) benefits
- AF, KL and contract staff at airports have a popup message on their computer screen when checking-in an Ultimate pax or when scanning a BP at the lounge (AFKL lounges only) asking them to be attentive at any special request of the Ultimate pax. See also below for airport-specific soft benefits. There is no known official policy for operational upgrades of Ultimates, but Ultimate members have all reported on FT a higher rate of op-up (but those remain rare !).
- AF and KL cabin crews are instructed to provide extra care and attentions on-board. It can take different forms : special greetings, extra amenities (pillow, oshibori, etc), F&B from the upper class, upgrades on board (Y to J medium haul, W to J or Y to W long haul), earlier and quicker meal service. This is not systematic and is up to the appreciation of the crew. Based on the reports of Ultimate members of this forum, AF crews seems to be more compliant than KL crews with those directives, although there has been several reports in this thread of nice attentions provided by KL crews.
Other Skyteam airlines do not provide any extra service or attentions to FB Ultimate passengers.
Airport-specific soft (unpublished) benefits
All benefits below should be understood for departure, unless otherwise noted. In addition to what is mentioned below, it has been reported several cases of expedited transfers organised by AFKL staff in case of short/endangered connection at various airports.
Please note that, for contract lounges, it is not unusual that the lounge agent doesn't know about Ultimate and tells that you need Gold or Platinum to enter. A simple discussion explaining that Ulti is the highest FB status usually solves the issue with the agent looking into the system to check.
Please complete/edit this list as needed.
AFKL HUBS
Amsterdam
- AMS:
Paris CDG
- CDG remote gates: a car transfer is offered, instead of busses, for Ultis departing from or arriving to remote gates. Staff for this is being ramped up so they may sometimes miss this. Remote gates at 2F are F21 to F23, and F41 to F45 (44 & 45 are on the upper level but their jet bridge connects to stairs and then buses).
Paris ORY
EUROPE
Austria
- VIE: no special treatment to report, except pre-boarding.
Croatia
- DBV: no special treatment to report
- SPU: no special treatment to report (not even lounge access)
Czech Republic
- PRG: no special treatment to report. Pre-boarding refused.
Denmark
- CPH: no special treatment to report
Finland
- HEL: no special treatment to report.
France (non-hubs)
- AJA: no special treatment to reportMain facts
Ultimate is the top status in FB.
While other FB status (Silver/Gold/Platinum) are based on experience points earning (XP), Ultimate status is obtained by Ultimate XP (UXP) earning. UXPs are earned exclusively on AF- and KL-coded (= marketed) flights, whatever the operating airline.
Some examples :
- CDG-JFK AF-marketing, AF-operating : eligible to UXP earning
- CDG-JFK DL-marketing, AF-operating : NON-eligible to UXP earning
- AMS-BOS KL-marketing, DL-operating : eligible to UXP earning
- BOS-IND KL-marketing, DL-operating : eligible to UXP earning
- SIN-SYD AF-marketing, QF-operating : eligible to UXP earning
- CDG-ARN SK-marketing, SK-operating : NON-eligible to UXP earning
XP earned via AFKL Amex cards are not eligible (those are XP and not UXP).
To qualify for Ultimate, passengers need to earn 900 UXP during a membership year. It is similar to the normal XP counter, resetting as soon as the tier is reached. Ultimate is valid for 1 year once granted.
Since 03/2023, a rollover of surplus UXP is possible. A maximum of 900 UXP is possible, and UXP are carried forward only to the next year. For example, an ULTI member earning 2,000 UXP in a membership year will see the following happening at the end of year 1:
- 900 UXP will be deducted to extend ULTI for one year (=year 2)
- 900 UXP will be rolled over to year 2. The member will start year 2 with 900 UXP already on his account. He will end year 2 with 900 UXP+any new UXP that will have been earned during year 2. If the member earns no new UXP in year 2, he will have exactly 900 UXP at the end of year 2, and his ULTI status will be extended to the end of year 3. His opening balance in year 3 will be zero. If he has earned new UXP in year 2, those will be carried over to year 3, and his opening balance in year 3 will be those newly earned UXP from year 2
- 200 UXP (=what is left over of the 2,000 UXP after 900 UXP have been used to maintain status in year 2 and 900 UXP have been rolled over to year 2) will be lost
- All FB Platinum/Club 2000-Skipper benefits
- Access to a Travel Assistant service 24/7. They are reachable by phone or by email. In practice, from 8 pm to 8 am CET, calls are taken by the Platinum line.
- highest priority on waiting list and in case of irrops
- Possibility to register up to 8 persons who can benefit from Sky Priority services and lounge access when traveling with the Ultimate member and on same PNR (lounge access is only in AFKL lounges here).
- one companion Platinum card
- when the Ultimate member is flying P, 2 guests are allowed in CDG P lounge.
- Zone 1 boarding, irrespective of travel class.
- Access to Hertz Platinum status
- unlimited downloads of newspapers & magazines on AF Play (any day, not only on day of travelling).
- Miles overdraft : Ultimate members can redeem Miles for a reward ticket worth up to 100,000 Miles more than their current Miles balance. No limit on how many times this can be used, but requires that the FB account have a positive miles balance. Need to ask the Ulti TA team to make the bookings. After account is in negative, borrowed miles will be reimbursed later with newly earned Miles (transfers from partners can be used to cover these, or even purchased miles).
- When travelling in Y class, if the adjacent seat of Ulti flyer is still free 72hrs before flight, it is automatically blocked by the system, unless flight is fully booked or if a pax needs to be re-seated on-board due to a broken seat or other reason. The seat of the Ultimate pax needs to be pre-booked and not changed starting from 72hrs before flight.
- Additional baggage allowance : +2 free bags on top of the ticket allowance
-
- Free same-day change of flight, to an earlier or later departure on the day of departure. This benefit only applies on flights marketed and operated by AF or KLM, providing there are still seats available in the new desired flight (but the change is not dependent on availability of certain fare classes). New flight should be within 14hrs of original flight. Change can be done by the AF/KL app, kiosk or by the Ulti TA team, until 1hr before original flight time. Free same day changes only apply at segment level, one direction at a time, and cannot be used to change the itinerary (e.g. if original itinerary contains CDG-AMS-JFK, this benefit cannot be used to change to a CDG-JFK direct flight). Change of flight is not possible if a bag has already been checked. In case of flight changed, added extras e.g. pre-selected seats or meals, cannot be guaranteed on the new flight.
- Free wifi on-board (Stream pass). To benefit form it, once on the wifi logon page, you need to first connect using your booking ref + name. Then the Stream pass will appear as free and you can connect to it.
- four one-class upgrade certificates per membership year, requiring for one-way upgrade : 1 from Y to W, 1 from W to J, 2 from Y to J. Upgrades are confirmed instantly at the time of booking (via the Travel Assistant). Vouchers can also be used by one of the 8 registered friend/family members travelling by themselves. In case of a long-haul flight with a medium-haul connection/feeder (e.g. CDG-AMS-JFK), the medium-haul segment will be upgraded also with the same number of vouchers used. In case of 2 long-haul flights in connection (e,g. DXB-CDG-JFK), the use of additional vouchers is required to upgrade the 2 segments. Upgrade vouchers are usable only on AF- or KL-marketing and operating flights and the PNR must contains only the AFKL flights to be upgraded (if the PNR contains other non-AFKL flights, you cannot upgrade even just the AFKL flights). Upgrade vouchers can also be used to upgrade from J to P. Two vouchers are required for one way upgrade. The originally-booked J ticket must be a revenue ticket (= not an award ticket). Upgrade to P can only be processed during the check-in window, i.e. 30hrs before flight (conditions of a classical paid upgrade option apply). If at least 2 P seats are still available for sale, the upgrade can be processed upfront. If only 1 P seat is available, the voucher upgrade can be confirmed only 4 hrs before departure, as this single seat remains in priority available for sale or for a paid upgrade.
The upgrade coupons are valid as soon as you reach Ultimate and is valid for 12 months. The vouchers need to be used within the membership year, but can be applied for travel post expiry date.
Rules for eligible booking classes for the upgrade vouchers are described below :
- Eco to Premium Eco : availability in S is required to upgrade.
- Premium Eco to Business : availability in D is required to upgrade.
- Eco to Business : availability in D is required to upgrade.
- Business to la Premire (AF only) : OLCI paid upgrade conditions apply.
For Y to J and W to J upgrades, vouchers can be applied to award tickets. Same rules as revenue tickets apply.
For J to P upgrades (AF only) : upgrades cannot be applied to award ticket. The originally-booked J ticket must be an AF revenue ticket.
Airline-specific soft (unpublished) benefits
- AF, KL and contract staff at airports have a popup message on their computer screen when checking-in an Ultimate pax or when scanning a BP at the lounge (AFKL lounges only) asking them to be attentive at any special request of the Ultimate pax. See also below for airport-specific soft benefits. There is no known official policy for operational upgrades of Ultimates, but Ultimate members have all reported on FT a higher rate of op-up (but those remain rare !).
- AF and KL cabin crews are instructed to provide extra care and attentions on-board. It can take different forms : special greetings, extra amenities (pillow, oshibori, etc), F&B from the upper class, upgrades on board (Y to J medium haul, W to J or Y to W long haul), earlier and quicker meal service. This is not systematic and is up to the appreciation of the crew. Based on the reports of Ultimate members of this forum, AF crews seems to be more compliant than KL crews with those directives, although there has been several reports in this thread of nice attentions provided by KL crews.
Other Skyteam airlines do not provide any extra service or attentions to FB Ultimate passengers.
Airport-specific soft (unpublished) benefits
All benefits below should be understood for departure, unless otherwise noted. In addition to what is mentioned below, it has been reported several cases of expedited transfers organised by AFKL staff in case of short/endangered connection at various airports.
Please note that, for contract lounges, it is not unusual that the lounge agent doesn't know about Ultimate and tells that you need Gold or Platinum to enter. A simple discussion explaining that Ulti is the highest FB status usually solves the issue with the agent looking into the system to check.
Please complete/edit this list as needed.
AFKL HUBS
Amsterdam
- AMS:
- Dedicated check-in desk in SkyPriority area, but not always manned. You can request someone to come there if other lines are long.
- Pre-boarding available upon request in all Non-Schengen gates. Pre-boarding at B-gates in Schengen usually denied (staff seems to be unaware of Ulti in general there). Sometimes there is an announcement welcoming Ulti passengers before boarding starts.
- Lounge 25 (Schengen)
- Reserved space in the ex-smoking area. Light turns blue upon scanning boarding pass, but staff very rarely escorts to reserved area.
- Lounge 52 (Non-Schengen):
- Light turns blue upon scanning boarding pass, but very inconsistent escort to reserved area.
- Reserved space in the ex-rest area. Turn left from the escalators, walk all the way to the end, and then a small curve to the right after climbing the few stairs. The reserved area has a blue rope and sign for Ulti passengers.
- Shower cabin made available immediately upon request, if staff knows you are Ulti (datapoint from 01/2025).
- Spa in Lounge 52 (Non-Schengen) has some free 5 and 10 minute treatments for Ulti passengers - no sign posted anywhere - but informed about it by lounge staff (datapoint from 01/2025). Not personally tested.
- It is possible to call a phone number to order items from the Blue restaurant and bar (located upstairs in the lounge). Items still need to be paid for. But, a note in the reserved Ulti space suggests there are complimentary items upstairs, if one were to go there. Not personally tested.
Paris CDG
- CDG 2E:
- Departure : Escort from check-in to immigration in the morning (super fast track). Reserved space at K/L/M lounges. Pre-boarding upon request at the gate before beginning of general boarding
- Arrival : access to dedicated lane at passport control, all the way to the left, follow the "ULTIMATE" sign.
- Departure : There is a special Ultimate check-in counter in the SkyP zone (on the left of terminal). Reserved room in the lounge. Pre-boarding upon request at the gate before beginning of general boarding. Escort is provided from the counter to security (skipping the line).
- Arrival : no special treatment to report
- Departure : Reserved space in the lounge
- Arrival : no special treatment to report
- CDG remote gates: a car transfer is offered, instead of busses, for Ultis departing from or arriving to remote gates. Staff for this is being ramped up so they may sometimes miss this. Remote gates at 2F are F21 to F23, and F41 to F45 (44 & 45 are on the upper level but their jet bridge connects to stairs and then buses).
Paris ORY
- Departure : Reserved space at Schengen and non-Schengen lounges. Pre-boarding upon request at the lounge.
- Arrival : no special treatment to report
EUROPE
Austria
- VIE: no special treatment to report, except pre-boarding.
Croatia
- DBV: no special treatment to report
- SPU: no special treatment to report (not even lounge access)
Czech Republic
- PRG: no special treatment to report. Pre-boarding refused.
Denmark
- CPH: no special treatment to report
Finland
- HEL: no special treatment to report.
France (non-hubs)
- BES: no special treatment to report
- BIQ: skip the line at security (upon request and insisting), pre-boarding (upon request at the gate).
- BOD: pre-boarding from lounge to plane inconsistently proposed
- CDG: see top of the list in "AFKL hubs".
- LYS: Preboarding consistently provided.
- MPL: pre-boarding with escort from lounge to plane, sometimes proposed (AF agent comes to the contract lounge to meet the Ultimate guest)
- MRS: at the lounge, proposal to pre-board (the lounge agent is informing the gate agent and informing you 10 min in advance of boarding time so you can go to the gate and pre-board).
- NCE: Reserved area in Infinity lounge for LP & Ulti. Pre-boarding upon request.
- NTE: no special treatment to report
- ORY: see top of the list in "AFKL hubs".
- PUF: bypass queue at security and pre-boarding provided upon request
- RNS: bypass queue at security (not consistently provided) and pre-boarding proposed.
- TLS: Escort from check in to lounge inconsistently provided. Pre-boarding consistently provided
Germany
- BER: no special treatment to report
- BRE: pre-boarding requested during check-in, agent offered to collect us from lounge (turned-down), pre-boarding done - but pre-boarding request made only once
- DUS: no special treatment to report
- FRA: no special treatment to report
- HAM: no special treatment to report, except pre-boarding
- HAJ: No special treatment to report.
- MUC: Reserved area in the lounge, escort from lounge to plane with pre-boarding proposed.
- STR: reserved area in the lounge, pre-boarding
Greece
- ATH: no special treatment to report
- HER: no special treatment to report
- JTR: no special treatment to report
Hungary
- BUD: escort through security from check-in to lounge proposed; Data point from 22 Dec: escort proposed spontaneously during check in (but turned down), pre-boarding done.
Ireland
- DUB: no special treatment to report
Italy
- BLQ: escort from check-in to lounge, and through security to plane.
- BRI: no special treatment to report
- CTA: no special treatment to report
- FCO: New 01/2026 : access to special lounge (Plaza Premium First Lounge)
- FLR: no special treatment to report
- LIN: no special treatment to report
- MXP: pre-boarding granted by request
- VCE: escort through security from check-in to lounge, pre-boarding with escort from lounge to plane (not always consistently proposed)
- NAP: no special treatment to report
Netherlands
- AMS: see top of the list in "AFKL hubs".
Norway
- OSL: pre-boarding if requested at the gate (you may need to insist as SK staff who is hanfdling AFKL in OSL is not knowledgeable about Ulti).
- TRF: no special treatment to report
- KRS: no special treatment to report
- SVG: no special treatment to report
Poland
- WAW: no special treatment to report
- KRK: no special treatment to report
- GDN: no special treatment to report
Portugal
- LIS: pre-boarding proposed upon request
Russia
- SVO: no special treatment to report
- LED: no special treatment to report
Spain
- AGP: no special treatment to report
- BCN: no special treatment to report
- BIO: escort from lounge to plane & pre-boarding granted after request
- MAD: no special treatment to report
- PMI: no special treatment to report
- SVQ: no special treatment to report
- TFS: no special treatment to report
- VLC: no special treatment to report
Sweden
- ARN: no special treatment to report
- GOT: no special treatment to report
Switzerland
- GVA: pre-boarding upon request. Reserved area in the lounge
- ZRH: pre-boarding upon request.
United Kingdom
- ABZ: no special treatment to report
- BRS : no special treatment to report
- EDI: no special treatment to report
- LHR: reserved seat/table in the lounge; pre-boarding upon request..
NORTH AMERICA
Canada
- YUL: Escort from check-in to lounge upon request. Reserved area in lounge, pre-boarding with escort from lounge to plane
- YYZ:
- YQB: escort from check-in to lounge proposed
- YVR: arrival : escort through immigration. Departure : escort through security to lounge and from lounge to plane. Reserved space in Skyteam lounge.
USA
- ATL: no special treatment to report (in connection)
- AUS: Escort provided through security, pre-boarding offered, declined escort from lounge to gate. Great team at AUS.
- BOS: Escort on arrival (NEW 09/2025, confirmed 10/2025). Departure : escort through security from check-in to lounge, pre-boarding, all consistently provided mostly spontaneously, sometimes upon request. A separate room in the AF lounge is also proposed.
- DTW: no special treatment to report (starting from DTW or in connection)
- EWR: escort through security to lounge (inconsistently provided), VIP room in SAS lounge, pre-boarding.
- IAD: escort through security from check-in to lounge upon request, but inconsistently provided. Reserved area at the lounge.
- IAH: no special treatment to report
- JFK (AF only / terminal 1) : reserved table in the dining area of the lounge (upstairs), Some kind of priority at the La Prairie spa (after P pax).
- JFK (KL only / terminal 4) : no special treatments to report.
- LAX: reserved area in AF lounge.
- MIA: on departure, escort through security and to lounge proactively offered
- MSP: no special treatment to report, except one case of special DL Elite VIP treatment with expedited immigration and Porsche transfer to/from lounge (not a regular benefit to expect)
- ORD: On arrival, escort through immigration. On departure, escort through security to lounge and from lounge to plane (pre-boarding). Reserved space in AF lounge.
- PHX : no special treatments to report.
- SEA: pre-boarding with escort to plane
- SFO: reserved area in lounge
CENTRAL & SOUTH AMERICA
- BOG: escort through immigration on arrival.
- LIM:
- GIG: Pre-boarding upon request.
- GRU: escort in case of short connection upon request, inconsistently provided. Pre-boarding at the gate (upon request).
- MEX (Terminal 1):
- SCL: as of 03/2024 escort to lounge offered at departure check-in, pick-up from lounge and pre-boarding done
- EZE: escort to lounge with special crew lane for immigration provided spontaneously
ASIA / PACIFIC
- BKK: escort through security from check-in to lounge, upon request but inconsistently proposed. In connection : escort in case of short connection (better to request it before departure). Small Ulti area in lounge. Escort to plane & pre-boarding.
- BLR: on arrival: awaited in jetway and escorted through immigration, wait with you at baggage claim and accompanied to taxi. On departure : escort from check-in counter to lounge and then to plane as per your boarding preference.
- BOM : on arrival: awaited in jetway and escorted through immigration, wait with you at baggage claim and accompanied to taxi. On departure : escort from check-in counter to lounge and then to plane as per your boarding preference.
- CGK : escort on arrival through immigration.
- DEL: on arrival: awaited in jetway and escorted through immigration, wait with you at baggage claim and accompanied to taxi. On departure : escort from check-in counter to lounge and then to plane as per your boarding preference.
- DPS : escort from check-in to lounge and to plane (upon request). Reserved space in GA lounge.
- HKG: no special treatment to report.
- HND: Arrival : new 09/2023 = escort through immigration. Departure : escort from check-in desk to private (crew) security, proposed spontaneously
- ICN : no special treatment to report, except pre-boarding.
- KIX: Arrival : escort through immigration, wait at baggage claim. Departure : escort from check-in desk to lounge All proposed spontaneously
- MNL : Arrival : escort from plane to exit, fast track at immigration. Departure : escort from check-in counter to lounge, fast track at immigration and security, escort from lounge to plane, pre-boarding.
- NRT : pre-boarding
- PEK :
- PVG : pre-boarding agreed to upon request during check-in and boarding staff delivered on request (datapoint 07/2024)
- SIN: no special treatment to report
CARIBBEAN & INDIAN OCEAN
- CUR: on arrival, met at the gate and walked through immigration. On departure : escort from check-in through immigration and security; escort from the lounge to plane/pre-boarding.
- HAV: at departure, escort from check in counters until security checks. Pre-boarding offered. No escort at arrival. No reserved space in Lounge.
- FDF: No reserved space in Lounge. Pre-boarding upon request at the gate.
- MRU: escort on arrival through immigration. Departures (12/2025): escort from check-in to lounge. Pre-boarding upon request incl. pick-up from lounge (Air Mauritius lounge).
- PTP: Reserved table in lounge. Pre-boarding upon request at the lounge with escort from lounge to plane.
- RUN: Pre-boarding proposed at check-in and in the lounge, with escort from lounge to plane. Reserved seats in lounge
- SXM: Escort for incoming transit pax (from/to AF flight) through passport controls and security, pre-boarding pro-actively offered for AF departure
MIDDLE EAST
- AUH : no special treatment to report
- BEY: no special treatment to report
- DXB:
- JED: no special treatment to report
- RUH: no special treatment to report
- IST: no special treatment to report
- TBS : no special treatment to report
AFRICA
- AGA: escort from check in to lounge and from lounge to aircraft, provided spontaneously
- CAI: Pre-boarding offered spontaneously during check-in. Datapoint 01/2025: pre-boarding done.
- CMN: escort on arrival through immigration (not always consistently provided). Datapoint 11/2024 : no special treatment to report.
- CPT: escort from counter to lounge, provided spontaneously
- JNB:
- JNO: no special treatment to report.
- KGL : no special treatment to report
- LBV : escort from lounge to plane
- LOS: dedicated space in lounge (only in the one used by AF, not in KL one). Pre-boarding possible but not so easy.
- NBO : Departure : escort from check-in counter through immigration (fast track) to lounge and then to plane with pre-boarding (confirmed in 03/2025 as well).
- NSI : Departure : escort from check-in counter through immigration (fast track) to lounge and then to plane with pre-boarding.
- RAK: escort on departure to entrance of security, escort from lounge to plane for pre-boarding.
- RBA: on departure : escort to lounge and to plane, provided spontaneously. Datapoint 05/2024 : no special treatment to report.
- TUN: escort on arrival through immigration provided. Escort from check-in to lounge provided
- ZNZ: on departure : escort through security & immigration, pre-boarding (note : no lounge access in ZNZ; voucher is given for terminal caf)
Flying Blue Ultimate Status
Jan 13, 2026 | 7:07 am
Join Date: Dec 2025
Location: Paris
Programs: FB Ultimate / All Diamond
Posts: 18
You can see it on the seat map, the old cabin on A350 has this staggered pattern for the 34 seats in a single cabin, rows 1 to 9. The new seats are all parallel and spread across 2 cabins as there are 48 of those, rows 1 to 14 with a galley between row 8 and row 10. Not always an exact science as you can always have an equipment swap. Row 1 is now called suite and that’s the ones that stay free for Ultis. If row 1 is full, seats 10 A and H are also very spacious as they have the bassinets. They are blocked in case someone books the flight with an infant but if still unoccupied, they get released about 40 hours prior to the flight, you can usually request the TA to move you there.
Jan 13, 2026 | 7:39 am
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Switzerland
Programs: AFKL Flying Blue Ultimate/PFL, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium/PFL
Posts: 441
You can see it on the seat map, the old cabin on A350 has this staggered pattern for the 34 seats in a single cabin, rows 1 to 9. The new seats are all parallel and spread across 2 cabins as there are 48 of those, rows 1 to 14 with a galley between row 8 and row 10. Not always an exact science as you can always have an equipment swap. Row 1 is now called suite and thats the ones that stay free for Ultis. If row 1 is full, seats 10 A and H are also very spacious as they have the bassinets. They are blocked in case someone books the flight with an infant but if still unoccupied, they get released about 40 hours prior to the flight, you can usually request the TA to move you there.
Jan 13, 2026 | 6:49 pm
Join Date: Dec 2025
Location: Paris
Programs: FB Ultimate / All Diamond
Posts: 18
Jan 16, 2026 | 6:34 am
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Paris (FR) & Warsaw (PL)
Programs: TK E, LH HON, FB Ulti, Marriott TE, Radisson VIP
Posts: 176
There where some changes in procedure of handling Ultimate Check-in claims?
On the 29th I was traveling back to the Paris... my suitcase was damaged. I went to the counter at the CDG, but as soon they saw that I'm Ultimate they told me to go home, take pictures and send it to the Travel Assistant with request of solving the problem... they said that at CDG they don't do protocols anymore.
I did that, I got confirmation that TA has transferred the topic to the Customer Service, and today I've got a reply (machine translated from French):
On the 29th I was traveling back to the Paris... my suitcase was damaged. I went to the counter at the CDG, but as soon they saw that I'm Ultimate they told me to go home, take pictures and send it to the Travel Assistant with request of solving the problem... they said that at CDG they don't do protocols anymore.
I did that, I got confirmation that TA has transferred the topic to the Customer Service, and today I've got a reply (machine translated from French):
I’ve been battling Customer Service since late December over a damaged suitcase. Looking back, I regret not just throwing the thing in the trash. The math simply doesn’t "math" anymore:
- Suitcase worth a little bit over €200,
- "Work": I had to find a repair shop, pack it, ship it (at my cost), pay for a technical expertise just to prove it was actually broken, cal the repair shop (they where not the most resilient... but this one can be on me - I've picked authorized repair center
) - Time I’ve spent on all of this.
The best part? They are fully aware of my Ultimate status. They know exactly how much effort they are asking me to put in, yet they proceed like I’m an Explorer on my first-ever flight.
I’m actually scared to think what would happen if I had a Rimowa or something expensive
Would they make me fly to the factory myself to get a signature?TA got reply that they will contact me to find a solution. They where supposed to call me, but instead and few minutes later I've received email from Customer Service with middle finger.
Is it just me, or has the "Ultimate" promise become a "DIY Support" program?
Why can't they just adopt the best practices of other carriers who actually value a passenger's time?`
PS. Oh, and have I mentioned... that I was also kicked out of my pre-selected seat for "operational reasons" just to give the seat to someone else? Only, in a brilliant twist of life, that person rebooked himself to another flight
I like AFKLM, I like AFKLM, I like AFKLM, I like AFKLM, I like AFKLM, I like AFKLM, I like AFKLM, I like AFKLM, I like AFKLM, I like AFKLM, I like AFKLM... lol
Jan 16, 2026 | 7:19 am
Join Date: Mar 2025
Posts: 448
Im back for Round 2 of the "Suitcase Saga," and honestly, at this point, the joke is on me
Ive been battling Customer Service since late December over a damaged suitcase. Looking back, I regret not just throwing the thing in the trash. The math simply doesnt "math" anymore:
The best part? They are fully aware of my Ultimate status. They know exactly how much effort they are asking me to put in, yet they proceed like Im an Explorer on my first-ever flight.
Im actually scared to think what would happen if I had a Rimowa or something expensive Would they make me fly to the factory myself to get a signature?
TA got reply that they will contact me to find a solution. They where supposed to call me, but instead and few minutes later I've received email from Customer Service with middle finger.
Is it just me, or has the "Ultimate" promise become a "DIY Support" program?
Why can't they just adopt the best practices of other carriers who actually value a passenger's time?`
PS. Oh, and have I mentioned... that I was also kicked out of my pre-selected seat for "operational reasons" just to give the seat to someone else? Only, in a brilliant twist of life, that person rebooked himself to another flight
I like AFKLM, I like AFKLM, I like AFKLM, I like AFKLM, I like AFKLM, I like AFKLM, I like AFKLM, I like AFKLM, I like AFKLM, I like AFKLM, I like AFKLM... lol
Ive been battling Customer Service since late December over a damaged suitcase. Looking back, I regret not just throwing the thing in the trash. The math simply doesnt "math" anymore:
- Suitcase worth a little bit over 200,
- "Work": I had to find a repair shop, pack it, ship it (at my cost), pay for a technical expertise just to prove it was actually broken, cal the repair shop (they where not the most resilient... but this one can be on me - I've picked authorized repair center )
- Time Ive spent on all of this.
The best part? They are fully aware of my Ultimate status. They know exactly how much effort they are asking me to put in, yet they proceed like Im an Explorer on my first-ever flight.
Im actually scared to think what would happen if I had a Rimowa or something expensive
Would they make me fly to the factory myself to get a signature?TA got reply that they will contact me to find a solution. They where supposed to call me, but instead and few minutes later I've received email from Customer Service with middle finger.
Is it just me, or has the "Ultimate" promise become a "DIY Support" program?
Why can't they just adopt the best practices of other carriers who actually value a passenger's time?`
PS. Oh, and have I mentioned... that I was also kicked out of my pre-selected seat for "operational reasons" just to give the seat to someone else? Only, in a brilliant twist of life, that person rebooked himself to another flight
I like AFKLM, I like AFKLM, I like AFKLM, I like AFKLM, I like AFKLM, I like AFKLM, I like AFKLM, I like AFKLM, I like AFKLM, I like AFKLM, I like AFKLM... lol
Not sure what type of pushback youre getting but it sound ridiculously unpragmatic
Jan 16, 2026 | 7:40 am
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Paris and around the WW
Programs: AF/KLM Club2000 Ultimate / M&M HON Circle / ALL Limitless / Hertz President Circle
Posts: 1,333
Pretty weird
I had a luggage broken a few years ago and I went directly to customer service to open a claim
I was directed right away to a small office where they had a lot of different luggages (brand new) from different brands
I was offered to choose one from the same brand and left it right away
I was happily surprised by how efficient it went
I had a luggage broken a few years ago and I went directly to customer service to open a claim
I was directed right away to a small office where they had a lot of different luggages (brand new) from different brands
I was offered to choose one from the same brand and left it right away
I was happily surprised by how efficient it went
Jan 16, 2026 | 7:49 am
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: BRE
Programs: Flying Blue Ultimate, LATAM Black, Accor/IHG Platinum, Marriott/Hilton Gold
Posts: 2,048
Pretty weird
I had a luggage broken a few years ago and I went directly to customer service to open a claim
I was directed right away to a small office where they had a lot of different luggages (brand new) from different brands
I was offered to choose one from the same brand and left it right away
I was happily surprised by how efficient it went
I had a luggage broken a few years ago and I went directly to customer service to open a claim
I was directed right away to a small office where they had a lot of different luggages (brand new) from different brands
I was offered to choose one from the same brand and left it right away
I was happily surprised by how efficient it went
But if the claim is handled via customer services, it's almost always a nightmare that is described above. It feels ridiculous, and takes up far too much time and effort. A few times it's been for pieces that cost under 100, and the effort I needed to put in felt just not worth it. Once or twice I've mentioned that back in an email, and depending on the agent who is dealing with the case (oh yes, and I have even started recognizing many customer service agent names now to establish a pattern), some of them have just waived the need for anything and refunded the bag because I sent pictures.
But AFKL, uniquely, make it difficult to get reimbursements on broken bags if you go via customer service. All other airlines I've experienced are better at this.
Jan 16, 2026 | 7:56 am
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Paris (FR) & Warsaw (PL)
Programs: TK E, LH HON, FB Ulti, Marriott TE, Radisson VIP
Posts: 176
Unrelated but re/luggage as a reference point; Recently got my luggage destroyed by UX. Also needed to provide proof from a reseller but really no time/motivation to do so. I just attached a pdf with all required information and photos of the damage, incl my loyalty status at FB and business ticket. Got offered a full cash refund or voucher exceeding ticket value (and therewith also replacement luggage value). Done in about a week total. Only form of pushback I received was a notification saying that they needed to investigate a bit deeper with the offers provided the following day. Was key that I did not leave the luggage belt area before going to the service desk about this.
Not sure what type of pushback you’re getting but it sound ridiculously unpragmatic
Not sure what type of pushback you’re getting but it sound ridiculously unpragmatic
Sorry for saying but is ironic that you had a smoother experience with UX than I’m having with the flagship carrier of the alliance.
What makes my case even more absurd is that I actually tried to report it at the airport at CDG, just like you did and just like I would with LX, LO, or LH. I went to the service desk, and their response was: "You need to contact your Travel Assistant with photos and they will handle everything, we don't do it here".
I followed their "Ultimate" advice to the letter. TA opened the claim for me, and that's when the nightmare began. Instead of the one-week resolution you got, I was sent on a month-long scavenger hunt: find an authorized shop, ship the bag at my own expense, and pay for a formal technical expertise just to have a professional explain that a suitcase without wheel is, in fact, broken.
What’s truly fascinating about this whole experience is the logic—or lack thereof—from Customer Care. They don’t even deny the damage happened; thanks to my "checkmate" move (authorized repair shop) they didn't even have a opportunity to challenge the expertise I've paid for - they acknowledge the bag was mangled on their watch.
And replying to the TA that they will contact me to find a solution, and shortly after showing middle finger - no comment.
I like AFKLM, I like AFKLM, I like AFKLM, I like AFKLM, I like AFKLM, I like AFKLM, I like AFKLM, I like AFKLM, I like AFKLM, I like AFKLM, I like AFKLM, I like AFKLM...
Last edited by mathieui; Jan 16, 2026 at 8:11 am
Jan 16, 2026 | 8:06 am
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: BRE
Programs: Flying Blue Ultimate, LATAM Black, Accor/IHG Platinum, Marriott/Hilton Gold
Posts: 2,048
Jan 16, 2026 | 3:51 pm
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Paris, France
Programs: AF/KL Flying Blue Ultimate/Platinum for life/Club2000, Accor ALL Diamond
Posts: 25,050
Again, unable to activate the Ulti wifi pass on my flight tonight (legacy wifi) and not possible to buy a pass .
.
Jan 16, 2026 | 9:39 pm
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Paris (FR) & Warsaw (PL)
Programs: TK E, LH HON, FB Ulti, Marriott TE, Radisson VIP
Posts: 176
For medium-distance flights, the latest times didnt work for me either (it worked maybe 20% of the flights). Since theyve started transitioning, Ive stopped even reporting it. The worst part is that even the codes I received from customer service (for future reference, in case of issues) didnt work as well. However, the Starlink worked perfectly for me each time.
Now I'm wondering how long the transition will take them...
Jan 17, 2026 | 1:20 am
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Switzerland
Programs: AFKL Flying Blue Ultimate/PFL, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium/PFL
Posts: 441
Jan 17, 2026 | 5:03 am
Join Date: Nov 2023
Programs: BA: AF/KL
Posts: 1,501
Jan 17, 2026 | 5:21 am
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2010
Programs: AF Ultimate & Plat 4 life/AY LUMO/SK EBD/LH SEN/HYATT Globalist/MR LTP/A3 *G/HH Dia/IHG DIA
Posts: 11,393
yet FB doesnt seem to care, I also fail to get the internet to work quite often and compared to other airlines where I am qualified for free internet based onnstatus ie SAS and AY it work far more often.... maybe FB could just give a credit of xxx miles per flight that it would cost to get internet using miles might work better then frustrating ULTIs.... but they would have to care first