As far as we know so far, the latest Air France–KLM data breach didn’t expose payment details or passport numbers. But that doesn’t mean passengers are safe. Names, contact details, Flying Blue membership numbers, and loyalty tier status can be valuable to cybercriminals.
Here’s why the stolen information matters, and the steps UK passengers should take right now to stay protected.
The hidden risks after a data breach
Even if the breach didn’t include your credit card details, criminals can still use your exposed information to:
- Send convincing phishing emails that look like genuine airline messages.
- Target you with travel-related scams (e.g. fake “flight updates” or “account verification” requests).
- Redeem loyalty points for flights, hotels, or goods without you knowing.
- Build a profile of your travel habits for future scams.
Why UK travellers are particularly at risk
Under UK GDPR, affected customers should be informed promptly. But scammers know these alerts are going out, and may send fake breach notifications that mimic the airline’s email style to trick you into clicking malicious links. They may also time phishing attempts to coincide with common booking periods (e.g. summer holidays), when you’re more likely to respond quickly without thinking.
How to keep yourself safe after the breach
Even if you haven’t noticed anything unusual yet, the weeks and months after a breach are when scammers are most likely to strike. By taking a few proactive steps now, you can reduce your risk of falling victim to phishing, fraud, or account misuse.
- Watch for unusual emails or texts: Be sceptical of any message that asks you to log in, confirm your account, or provide personal details. If in doubt, go directly to the airline’s official website rather than clicking a link.
- Check your Flying Blue account regularly: Look for unexpected redemptions or changes to your account details.
- Enable stronger security if available: If Flying Blue uses two-factor authentication, switch it on immediately.
- Update and strengthen your passwords: Use a long, unique password for your airline account, and don’t reuse it elsewhere.
Our handy guide shows you what else to check, how to protect yourself, and what steps to take right now to stay one step ahead.
Scammers won’t waste any time and neither should you
The Air France–KLM breach shows that even without payment details being stolen, personal information can still be exploited. For UK travellers, the best defence is vigilance. The sooner you lock down your accounts and spot suspicious messages, the harder it is for criminals to turn stolen details into real damage.
If you’ve been contacted about this breach, you may also be entitled to compensation if security failures are proven.
Think you might be affected? Use our quick checker to find out if you could join an Air France- KLM data breach claim. If you’re potentially eligible, register to get key updates – and we’ll let you know more.
