KLM's Circle Pacific fare is one of aviation's best-kept secrets - a multi-city journey allowing stops in up to 8 Pacific Rim destinations for typically $2,500-3,000. While not openly advertised, this fare combines KLM's partnerships with Korean Air, China Airlines, and Qantas to create an incredible trans-Pacific adventure. As of 2024, this routing lets you explore cities like Tokyo, Seoul, Taipei, Manila, Sydney, Auckland, and more on a single ticket.
Understanding Circle Pacific Fare Rules
The Circle Pacific fare follows specific routing rules: you must travel in one continuous direction (either clockwise or counterclockwise), cross both the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, and complete travel within 12 months. As of 2025, KLM allows 3-7 stopovers, with a minimum stay of 24 hours in each city. Maximum stay per city is 30 days, except for your country of origin.
- Must include at least 3 stops and no more than 7 stopovers
- Travel must be completed within 12 months of first flight
- Backtracking between regions is not permitted
- Minimum connection time of 24 hours required for stopover status
Sample 8-City Itinerary Under $3000
A typical Circle Pacific routing from Amsterdam might look like: AMS-ICN (Seoul) on KLM's Boeing 787-9, ICN-NRT (Tokyo) on Korean Air's A330-300, NRT-TPE (Taipei) on China Airlines' A350-900, TPE-MNL (Manila) on China Airlines, MNL-SYD (Sydney) on Qantas' A330-300, SYD-AKL (Auckland) on Qantas, AKL-LAX (Los Angeles) on Air New Zealand's 787-9, and LAX-AMS on KLM's 787-10. Current pricing for this route typically ranges from $2,700-2,900 in Economy.
Best Times to Book Your Circle Pacific Journey
For 2025-2026 travel, optimal booking windows vary by season. Book 8-10 months ahead for December-January travel (peak season), when fares often exceed $3,200. April-May and September-October departures typically offer the best value, with fares dropping to $2,500-2,700 when booked 6-7 months in advance.
Flexibility Strategies for Better Prices
- Consider starting from alternative European cities (Paris or Frankfurt often price $200-300 lower)
- Mid-week departures (Tuesday/Wednesday) typically save 10-15%
- Shoulder season travel (March/October) can reduce fares by up to 20%
- Alternative hub airports (like BKK instead of SIN) may offer better pricing
Seasonal Patterns and Peak Periods
Circle Pacific fares follow distinct seasonal patterns. Peak pricing occurs during Northern Hemisphere summer (June-August) and Christmas/New Year periods. The sweet spot for 2025 travel is October-November, when weather is mild across most Pacific destinations and fares drop to their lowest levels, often 25-30% below peak season rates.
Maximizing Flying Blue Miles
KLM's Flying Blue program offers excellent value for Circle Pacific bookings. A complete itinerary typically earns 25,000-30,000 miles in Economy, potentially enough for a free European round-trip. Elite members (Silver and above) can access better award availability and enjoy free seat selection worth €200-300 across all segments.
Essential Booking Tips
- Book all segments in one reservation to ensure fare rules apply
- Request seat assignments immediately after booking (particularly for long-haul segments)
- Consider mixed-cabin bookings for better value (Business Class on overnight flights)
- Check visa requirements for all stopover countries before finalizing
Common Booking Mistakes to Avoid
The most frequent errors include attempting to backtrack between regions (invalidating the fare), booking stopovers under 24 hours (counting as connections instead), and not considering seasonal weather patterns at each destination. Always verify that your chosen routing follows KLM's Circle Pacific rules before finalizing.
Final Recommendations
For the best value in 2025-2026, target October 2025 departures booked by March 2025. Focus on mid-week flights and consider starting from Paris (CDG) or Frankfurt (FRA) for potential savings. Join Flying Blue before booking to maximize mileage earnings and benefits. Remember that while these fares require more planning than standard tickets, they offer extraordinary value for extensive Pacific Rim exploration.
