All KLM Dreamliners are named after flowers or flowering plants. With the arrival of Busy Lizzie, KLM has fifteen Boeing 787s in its fleet: thirteen 787-9s and two 787-10s. Two more Boeing 787-10s will be added this year, the first of which will arrive in November. Four more will be added in 2020.

KLM invests in fleet renewal

Once again in 2018, KLM will continue to invest in the renewal of its fleet to meet its customers’ needs and wishes. The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner Morgenster is the first aircraft to arrive in 2018. KLM will take possession of its twelfth Dreamliner in April.

The Boeing 787 creates less ambient noise, consumes less fuel, and gives off fewer carbon dioxide emissions. It brings us ever closer to our aim to reduce CO₂ emissions by 20% in 2020 compared to 2011. The Dreamliner is built mainly of carbon fibre composite which can be cut easily, so the manufacturing process creates less waste.

It also offers numerous advantages in terms of passenger comfort. The increased cabin air pressure helps passengers to arrive at their destination feeling well rested. And all passengers have access to WiFi during the flight.

About the Boeing 787 Dreamliner
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is the successor to the MD11 in the KLM fleet. KLM took delivery of its sixth Boeing 787 Dreamliner, the “Mimosa”, last Wednesday. The KLM fleet will eventually contain 21 Dreamliners. All of them will be named after flowers, a typically Dutch export product and one that suits KLM perfectly.

Photo: Robert Meerding

Xiamen Airlines is KLM E&M’s launching customer for this engine type and the agreement extends the close partnership that already exists between KLM and Xiamen Airlines. The ten-year contract, valued at no less than USD 125 million, was signed in a KLM hangar at Schiphol East today by Ton Dortmans, Executive Vice President E&M KLM, and Cai Chengbao, Executive Vice President Xiamen Airlines. Also present were Xiamen Airlines Chairman & CEO, Che Shanglun, and KLM president & CEO Pieter Elbers.

All of the Dreamliners will be named individually after flowers: a typical Dutch export product that therefore resonates with KLM perfectly.

According to the planning as of December 14 the “Carnation” will be deployed on the Amsterdam – Abu Dhabi/Bahrain route. Dubai will be added to the Dreamliner destinations starting December 16. Later in the 2015/2016 winter schedule, the Dreamliner will also fly to Rio de Janeiro.

On arrival, the aircraft will briefly taxi past the plane-spotters lookouts and Panorama Terrace at Schiphol. The new arrival will then head to the hangar for the final KLM checks.

Catering by a new chef
For a full year, KLM will serve the creations of leading Dutch chef Jacob Jan Boerma on World Business Class flights originating in Amsterdam. What’s more, Chef Boerma will join the Welcome Flights himself and serves a special treat on board.

About the Boeing 787 Dreamliner
KLM’s first Boeing 787 Dreamliner is expected to arrive from Seattle, Washington (USA) on 14 November. The aircraft will land at 08.30 am local time at Schiphol. Upon arrival, the aircraft will head to the hangar to undergo the last checks by KLM. Thereafter, it will be deployed for the Welcome Flights.

This Boeing 787 Dreamliner will be the first of a total of twenty-one aircraft that KLM plans to deploy from late this year. Each Dreamliner will be given a distinctive name, each one for a different flower, perhaps the Netherlands’ most typical export product, and one that suits KLM perfectly.

The second aircraft is expected later this year.

Lower fuel consumption
With the arrival of this new aircraft type in October 2015, KLM is adding a quieter and more fuel-efficient aircraft to its fleet. The Boeing 787-9 is equipped with highly fuel-efficient engines, which will reduce CO2 emissions by at least 20%.

The aircraft is part of KLM’s programme of fleet investment, which began with the introduction of the new World Business Class in the Boeing 747. This was followed by entirely new World Business Class and Economy Class interiors in the Boeing 777-200 and the phased introduction of new Boeing 777-300s. From December 2015, KLM will continue its fleet renewal with the deployment of the Embraer 175 and 190.

New flight mode
The design of the interior of the aircraft creates a typically KLM mood, layout and character onboard the Boeing 787-9. The point of departure for the cabin interior was to maximise comfort and privacy for passengers, while maintaining KLM’s brand values.

KLM’s Boeing 787-9 is fitted with onboard Wi-Fi. This marks the launch of KLM Wi-Fi, which was tested in earlier trials. It will now be possible to use the internet, email and other online services onboard using laptops, tablets and mobile phones.

Larger windows, a higher cabin pressure and special LED-lighting further enhance the unique flight experience. This is all aimed at ensuring passengers arrive fitter and more rested at their destinations.

Luxury personal space in World Business Class
KLM has chosen the newest full-flat World Business Class seat for its Boeing 787-9s. The position of the new seats in the cabin and various design decisions ensure passengers can enjoy as much privacy as possible during the flight. A very special, new feature is that every World Business Class seat in the Boeing 787-9 has direct access to the aisle.

Warmer colours – with different shades for every seat – and a large storage space ensure ultimate comfort and more personal room for passengers. Large, soft pillows and luxurious new blankets give the new World Business Class a warm and welcoming mood. Each seat is fitted with a 16” screen. There is also the option of a dual-screen experience, which allows passengers to game or chat using the handset while watching a film.

Economy Class
The seats in Economy Class offer passengers extra comfort. The back of the seat can recline 40% further and all passengers have access to a power socket where they can recharge their mobile equipment. The Inflight Entertainment system has been renewed and extended with a larger, 11” screen, intuitive HD-quality touchscreens, interactive 3D maps, and the option to communicate via Seat Chat with fellow passengers who are not seated nearby. The Inflight Entertainment system provides access to more than 150 films and 200 TV programmes in 12 languages, including a large number of local films.

This first joint long-haul order by Air France and KLM will be replacing in the medium term the aircraft with 200 / 350 seats currently present in the fleet and support the Group's growing operations.

The acquisitions are scaled to a size that can be financed through cash flow generated from Group operations.

Consistent with the provisional fleet plan, this order will result in the Group's operation of 73 next generation aircraft through 2024: 43 Airbus A350-900 and 30 Boeing 787-9. The first aircraft Boeing 787-9 order will enter into service with KLM in 2016 and the first Airbus A350-900 with Air France in 2018. Later, both airlines will operate both types of aircraft.

The selection of engines for the Boeing 787-9 will be made later. The Airbus A350-900 will be equipped with Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines, the only engine provided for this aircraft by the manufacturer.

These new aircraft will reduce fuel consumption by over 15% and will give rise to a significant reduction in noise and gas emissions, confirming the Group's commitments in terms of environment and sustainable development. Air France KLM is a member of the Dow Jones Sustainability Index since 2004 and also leader of the “Transport and leisure” sector.

Within the framework of this order, Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance, the Group’s aircraft maintenance department, is confirming its commitment to position itself as a key market player for the maintenance of these aircraft and their engines.

Following this approval, memoranda of understanding will be signed with Airbus, Boeing and Rolls Royce and the finalized contracts are expected before the end of the year.

“For its first joint order, the Air France KLM group made its selection after a detailed assessment showing all the performance characteristics of each aircraft, including their energy and environmental performance” declared Pierre-Henri Gourgeon, CEO of Air France KLM. Peter Hartman, president & CEO of KLM added: “Their integration into the fleet will enable the Group to continue to operate one of the youngest and most modern fleets in the world”.