<![CDATA[KLM Newsroom]]> https://news.klm.com/ en Tue, 08 Sep 2026 23:19:30 +0200 Mon, 15 Jun 2026 14:01:36 +0200 <![CDATA[KLM Newsroom]]> https://content.presspage.com/clients/150_162.jpg https://news.klm.com/ 144 Dutch Masterpieces Take Flight with KLM https://news.klm.com/dutch-masterpieces-take-flight-with-klm/ https://news.klm.com/dutch-masterpieces-take-flight-with-klm/757852The first KLM Airbus A350 will be named The Night Watch, after the renowned painting by Rembrandt. With this aircraft, KLM is introducing a new naming theme for the Airbus A350 fleet, inspired by famous Dutch works of art. KLM expects to receive its first Airbus A350 at the end of August.

]]>Dutch Masterpieces as a Naming Theme
For more than a century, KLM has connected the Netherlands with the rest of the world. For the Airbus A350 fleet, KLM has chosen to name its aircraft after iconic Dutch artworks. The Night Watch by Rembrandt van Rijn is one of the Netherlands’ most celebrated paintings and is arguably the country’s best-known work of art. Visitors from around the world travel to the Rijksmuseum to see it. The first aircraft therefore carries a name that is deeply rooted in Dutch culture and instantly recognizable around the globe.

First Commercial Flight in September
The Airbus A350 is part of KLM’s ongoing fleet renewal. The aircraft is quieter and more fuel-efficient than the previous generation of aircraft it will replace. The aircraft is being built in Toulouse and has now been fully painted in KLM’s distinctive livery. Over the coming months, it will undergo final preparations before being delivered to KLM at the end of the summer. The aircraft is scheduled to operate its first passenger flight in September, with Toronto as its inaugural destination.

Certification of World Business Class Seats
The Airbus A350 features a total of 331 seats: 34 seats in World Business Class (WBC), 26 seats in Premium Comfort, and 271 seats in Economy Class. Due to a revised interpretation of regulatory requirements by the aviation authorities, certification of the World Business Class seats has not yet been completed. As a result, these seats will unfortunately not be available when the first two aircraft enter service. The seat manufacturer is working hard to complete the certification process as quickly as possible and make this cabin class available to customers at the earliest opportunity. Premium Comfort, which offers additional legroom, enhanced comfort, and a dedicated onboard dining experience, will be available from day one.

Fleet Renewal
Over the coming years, KLM will invest €7 billion in fleet renewal. In addition to the introduction of the Airbus A350 and the Airbus A350F, this investment includes new Embraer 195-E2 aircraft for KLM Cityhopper, the latest Airbus A321neo aircraft for European routes, of which KLM currently operates sixteen, and new Boeing 787 aircraft for intercontinental services.

]]> Mon, 15 Jun 2026 14:01:36 +0200 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/162/fe51876b-4c3e-4931-b3b8-30764da874dc/500_a350thenightwatch.jpg?10000 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/162/fe51876b-4c3e-4931-b3b8-30764da874dc/a350thenightwatch.jpg?10000 First KLM A350 Moves to Final Assembly Line https://news.klm.com/first-klm-a350-moves-to-final-assembly-line/ https://news.klm.com/first-klm-a350-moves-to-final-assembly-line/741099A major milestone in KLM’s fleet renewal: KLM’s first Airbus A350 is now on the Final Assembly Line at Airbus in Toulouse. Here, all the major components come together and the aircraft takes its final shape—the tail already features the signature KLM livery. KLM expects to take delivery of its first A350 by the end of the summer.

]]>Photo credits: Simone Chellini, Airways Magazine

]]>The Airbus A350 represents an important step towards a cleaner and quieter fleet. Compared to the Boeing 777-200ER, the A350 consumes 25% less fuel and has a 40% smaller noise footprint. For passengers, the A350 sets a new standard in comfort, offering the quietest cabin in its class, improved air quality, and higher cabin pressure. Pilots benefit from a fully digital cockpit, providing new opportunities for efficiency and support.

Fleet Renewal
KLM will invest €7 billion in fleet renewal over the coming years. In addition to the introduction of the Airbus A350, this includes the Embraer 195-E2 for KLM Cityhopper, new Airbus A321neo aircraft for European routes, and the Boeing 787 for intercontinental flights. In 2027, the A350F will join the fleet for cargo operations.

]]> Fri, 03 Apr 2026 13:28:28 +0200 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/162/5619218b-1259-4380-92fa-4f15dbdd3235/500_a350finalassemblyline2.jpg?10000 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/162/5619218b-1259-4380-92fa-4f15dbdd3235/a350finalassemblyline2.jpg?10000 KLM to invest in cleaner, quieter and more fuel-efficient long-haul aircraft with an order of new Airbus A350s https://news.klm.com/klm-to-invest-in-cleaner-quieter-and-more-fuel-efficient-long-haul-aircraft-with-an-order-of-new-airbus-a350s/ https://news.klm.com/klm-to-invest-in-cleaner-quieter-and-more-fuel-efficient-long-haul-aircraft-with-an-order-of-new-airbus-a350s/591948KLM plans to renew its older generation long-haul fleet with Airbus A350 family aircraft in the coming years. The Airbus A350 is acknowled­ged as the most fuel efficient and silent aircraft of its generation. These new wide-body aircraft have substantial benefits in terms of reducing CO2 emissions and noise impact. Procurement is subject to the recommendations of the KLM Works Council.

]]>The Air France KLM Group has signed an agreement with Airbus for a total of 50 Airbus A350-900 and A350-1000 aircraft, with an option for 40 further aircraft. The 50 aircraft have been ordered and will be allocated between KLM and Air France according to local market dynamics and regulatory conditions. KLM expects to begin deploying the Airbus A350 on intercontinental flights from 2026, replacing its Boeing 777-200ERs, Airbus A330-200s and Airbus A330-300s.

More sustainable and quieter

The new Airbus A350 constitutes a major step in building a cleaner and quieter fleet, producing 40% less noise and burning 25% less fuel than similar aircraft of the older generation. The hull of the aircraft largely consists of reinforced, lightweight materials (composites and titanium), ensuring that longer distances can be covered with less fuel. In combination with the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and other operational innovations and efficiency gains, these new aircraft will significantly contribute to making operations cleaner, quieter and more fuel-efficient. The Airbus A350 is also important in terms of customer experience, comfort and efficiency.

]]> Mon, 25 Sep 2023 19:22:42 +0200 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/162/61e20533-7507-4ca2-98af-dc3959d4f981/500_a350.jpg?10000 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/162/61e20533-7507-4ca2-98af-dc3959d4f981/a350.jpg?10000 Air France-KLM finalizes a firm order for 25 Airbus A350 https://news.klm.com/air-france-klm-finalizes-a-firm-order-for-25-airbus-a350-en/ https://news.klm.com/air-france-klm-finalizes-a-firm-order-for-25-airbus-a350-en/12282This morning, Air France-KLM finalized a firm order with the European manufacturer Airbus for 25 A350-900 plus a further 25 on option. The signing took place at the 50th International Air Show at Le Bourget near Paris, in the presence of Alexandre de Juniac, Chairman and CEO of the Air France-KLM Group as of 1 July 2013 and Fabrice Brégier, Chairman and CEO of Airbus.

]]>About KLM
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines was founded in 1919, making it the world’s oldest airline still operating under its original name. In 2004, Air France and KLM merged to form AIR FRANCE KLM. The merger produced the strongest European airline group based on two powerful brands and hubs – Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and Paris Charles de Gaulle. Retaining its own identity, the group focuses on three core businesses: passenger transport, cargo and aircraft maintenance.

In the Netherlands, KLM comprises the core of the KLM Group, which further includes KLM Cityhopper, transavia.com and Martinair. KLM serves all its destinations using a modern fleet and employs over 33,000 people around the world. KLM is a leader in the airline industry, offering reliable operations and customer-oriented products resulting from its policy of enthusiasm and sustainable innovation.

KLM is a member of the global SkyTeam airline alliance, offering customers an extensive worldwide network. The KLM network connects the Netherlands to every important economic region in the world and, as such, serves as a powerful driver for the economy.

About SkyTeam
SkyTeam is a global airline alliance providing customers from member airlines access to an extensive worldwide network offering more destinations, more frequencies and more connectivity. Passengers can earn and redeem Frequent Flyer Miles throughout the SkyTeam network. SkyTeam member airlines offer customers access to over 490 lounges worldwide.

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]]>The A350-900 will be equipped with Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines, the only engine offered for this aircraft by the manufacturer. With the latest technology, the Trent XWB engine will significantly contribute to the performance of the Airbus A350.

This aircraft will reduce fuel consumption by over 15% compared to current aircraft and will also significantly reduce noise and gas emissions, confirming the Group's commitment to the environment and sustainable development*. Air France-KLM has been included in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index since 2004, where it has been industry leader in the "Transport and Leisure" sector for the past four years.

In addition, Air France-KLM today signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Rolls-Royce on equipping its A350 with Trent XWB engines, including a section on their maintenance by Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance. The Group’s aircraft maintenance division intends to be on the market for the maintenance of these engines.

This contract with Airbus finalizes the firm order for 50 aircraft – 25 A350-900s and 25 Boeing 787-9s – announced in September 2011. In December 2011, Air France-KLM also signed a contract to acquire 25 firm orders for Boeing 787-9s with another 25 on option.

This joint order of long-haul aircraft between Air France and KLM aims to replace the 200/350-seater aircraft currently in the fleet in the medium term and also aims to support the Group’s growth. These acquisitions are designed to be funded by the Group’s operating cash flow as from 2016.

Based on the provisional fleet plan, the first Boeing 787-9 aircraft will enter into service with KLM in 2016 and the first A350-900 will enter into service with Air France in 2018. In the future, the two airlines will operate both types of aircraft.

 

(*) neutral growth in CO2 emissions as from 2020.

]]> Air France-KLM will continue to operate one of the most modern fleets in the world, and ensure the growth of its long-haul activity, while achieving significant cost savings.]]> Wed, 19 Jun 2013 11:21:20 +0200 https://content.presspage.com/clients/150_162.jpg?10000 https://content.presspage.com/clients/150_162.jpg?10000