Air France-KLM Flying Blue · AF

When Does Air France / KLM Release Award Seats? (2026 Guide)

Quick answer: Air France / KLM releases award seats exactly 360 days before departure through Air France-KLM Flying Blue, at midnight in Paris (CET/CEST). New inventory loads on a rolling basis — every day at midnight, a fresh date 360 days from now becomes bookable.

Last verified: May 22, 2026

Release Window

T-360

days before departure

Time of Day

Midnight

Paris (CET/CEST)

Loyalty Program

Air France-KLM Flying Blue

Where you book Air France / KLM award seats

Air France / KLM Award Release Schedule

Maximum advance	360 days before departure
Typical advance	360 days before departure
Time of day	Midnight, Paris (CET/CEST)
Release cadence	Rolling daily — one new day at T-360 opens each midnight
Partner release rules	Partners typically see the same T-360 window with reduced inventory; check individual partner programs for exceptions
Last-minute releases	Often a second wave at T-14, T-7, and T-24h as unsold premium seats are dumped to awards
Program reference	https://www.flyingblue.com/

How Air France / KLM's Release Pattern Works

Air France/KLM Flying Blue opens awards 360 days out, with monthly Promo Rewards that discount specific routes.

How to Book Air France / KLM Award Seats the Moment They Open

Calculate the exact release moment. Departure date minus 360 days, midnight in Paris (CET/CEST). Convert that to your local time and set an alarm.
Pre-fund the program. Make sure your Air France-KLM Flying Blue balance covers the redemption before the release moment — transfers from credit-card programs (Amex MR, Chase UR, Capital One, Citi TYP) can take minutes to days.
Have passenger details ready. Full legal names, passport numbers, dates of birth, and known traveller numbers. Premium-cabin saver awards can disappear in the time it takes to type a passport.
Be logged in five minutes early. Have the search page pre-loaded with route and date. Hit search the moment the clock changes.
Set a route alert as backup. Even if you miss the initial release, set a route alert so you're notified about mid-cycle releases and the T-14 / T-24h dumps.

Booking Tips for Air France-KLM Flying Blue

Check Promo Rewards on the 1st of each month — 25-50% off mileage rates on featured routes.

Catch Air France / KLM Award Space the Moment It Opens

Search live availability or set a route alert and we'll ping you the moment new seats appear.

Search Air France / KLM availability Set a route alert

Frequently Asked Questions

When does Air France / KLM release award seats?

Air France / KLM releases award seats 360 days before departure through Air France-KLM Flying Blue. New inventory loads on a rolling daily basis, so each midnight a fresh day becomes bookable at the T-360 window (midnight in Paris).

What time of day does Air France / KLM open award seats?

Air France / KLM releases the next bookable day at midnight local time in Paris (CET/CEST). Set an alarm for the exact moment if you're chasing a premium-cabin seat — the most desirable awards on popular routes can disappear within minutes.

Can I book Air France / KLM award seats earlier than 360 days out?

No. 360 days is the maximum Air France-KLM Flying Blue booking window. The airline's revenue-management system loads each day's inventory one day at a time, so the date you want will become bookable on a rolling basis as it enters the T-360 window.

Does Air France / KLM release more award seats closer to departure?

Often, yes. Many airlines (including Air France / KLM) release a second wave of unsold premium-cabin seats to award inventory in the final two weeks before departure — typically at T-14, T-7, and T-24 hours. It's not as reliable as the initial release, but it's worth monitoring if you missed the first window.

How do I get notified when new Air France / KLM award space opens?

Set a route alert on Award Travel Finder for the specific origin/destination/date range you want. We monitor Air France / KLM availability and ping you the moment new award seats appear — including the last-minute releases at T-14 and T-24h.

Are partner award seats released at the same time as Air France / KLM's own?

Not always. Partners (other Star Alliance, Oneworld, or SkyTeam programs booking Air France / KLM) typically see Air France / KLM's inventory at the same T-360 window, but with reduced seat counts and occasional delays. For the best premium-cabin access on Air France / KLM metal, booking through Air France-KLM Flying Blue directly is usually the safest bet.