KLM works closely with Air France within the AIR FRANCE KLM holding company. In terms of financial turnover, AIR FRANCE KLM is the world's largest airline partnership; it also transports the most passengers and is the world's second-largest cargo transporter.

AIR FRANCE KLM’s strategy can be expressed as: one Group, two Airlines, and three Core Activities. It indicates that KLM maintains its own company identity within the international airline industry. And that KLM can give substance to its business activities as it sees fit, as long as they are attuned with those of the AIR FRANCE KLM Group as a whole. KLM’s core businesses are passenger transport, cargo shipment, and aircraft maintenance.

KLM and Air France each have their own networks. Together they maintain a worldwide network of flight connections based on what they call their Dual-Hub Strategy. The two hubs are Air France’s home base, Paris Charles de Gaulle and KLM’s home base, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. Together with Air France, KLM offers passengers and cargo shippers more than 250 destinations, whether non stop connections or links to secondary destinations.

Both KLM and Air France are members of SkyTeam, one of the worldwide airline alliances. With ten member airlines as of 2009, SkyTeam is the world’s second-largest alliance in terms of market share. As SkyTeam members, Air France and KLM play an important role in North America, Europe, and Asia. And together with Kenya Airways, they enjoy a strong position in Africa as well.