Dutch airline KLM and US carrier Northwest Airlines have had a unique strategic alliance since 1993, forming the largest airline partnership at the time.

Between them, the airlines offer flights to a wide range of convenient and interesting destinations around the world, with some great value airfares available.

Both airlines are members of the Sky Team alliance, which includes other prestigious airlines such as Alitalia, Air France and Delta Air Lines and between them operate flights to more than 400 destinations in 85 countries.

The alliance has further advantages for passengers flying with KLM or Northwest Airlines, as they can also earn airmiles on flights with other Sky Team airlines, making the most of that airfare.

In May 2004, KLM formed a new airline group with Air France and both airlines are now part of the Air France-KLM Group. However, the airlines still retain their individual identities and each focuses on their own flight operations.

KLM operates flights from a range of UK airports to Amsterdam and beyond. Via its hub at Amsterdam Schiphol, the airline offers flights to worldwide destinations, including Johannesburg, New York and Tokyo.

The airline regularly holds special offers featuring very cheap flights and for the best choice of cheap airfares around, make sure you book your ticket with Major Travel.

KLM has a modern fleet of 190 aircraft and the largest combi-fleet in the world, comprising 17 Boeing 747-400 ER aeroplanes. It is in the process of replacing its Boeing 747-300 and Boeing 767 aeroplanes with new Boeing 777-200ERs and Airbus A330-200s, which offer a great deal of comfort and personal choice.

Aircraft innovations include adding winglets to its Boeing jets as a means of improving fuel efficiency and thereby reducing CO2 emissions. The winglets improve the aerodynamics of a plane.

This level of comfort is notable on board a KLM flight too. The airline offers three great travel classes from the luxurious World Business Class to the premium KLM Europe Select class for flights within Europe, as well as the great value KLM Economy Class.

Whichever class you fly with, you can be sure of great service, plus delicious meals on longer flights and personal seatback video screens on longer flights in Boeing 777 and Airbus 330 aeroplanes.

In 2007 KLM expanded the range of in-flight entertainment available for passengers. New innovations include audio books, language lessons, a program looking at business customs around the world, and a wider range of movies and TV shows.

As well as this, the airline is introducing a system to allow travelers to plug their iPods into seat connections, meaning they can charge them up and display their video content on the seat-back screens.

When you fly with KLM's alliance partner Northwest Airlines, you can be sure of a similarly high standard of service and comfort. The airline has won numerous accolades over the years, including being voted the Best North American Airline in 2002 and a top airline for disabled passengers.

Northwest Airlines is the fifth largest airline in the world and operates flights to exciting destinations across the globe, including flights to Africa, the Middle East and Canada, with main hubs located at Detroit, Minneapolis and Memphis. It is currently in the process of applying for the right to operate nonstop flights between Detroit and China, and could begin flights from London Heathrow in 2008.

On board, Northwest Airlines passengers can again expect excellent service, with a range of classes available to suit every budget, great meals, and personal video systems available on A330 and B747-400 aircraft to keep you entertained throughout the flight.

Between them, the two airlines cover almost every corner of the globe, offering passengers a consistently high standard of quality in flights and services.