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.

Read the Air France-KLM press release here.

From late 2023, these new A320neo/A321neo aircraft will begin replacing KLM and Transavia’s existing Boeing 737 NG aircraft on European routes. Having previously opted for the Embraer 195-E2 aircraft for intra-European flights, this new order is an important step in enhancing sustainability, customer experience, comfort and efficiency.

These new aircraft will substantially improve the sustainability of KLM’s fleet. The Airbus A320neo family not only produces 50% less noise than the current, older generation of aircraft, but also reduces fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions to 15%.

This improvement in sustainability, combined with the use of sustainable aviation fuel and improving operational innovation and efficiency, will contribute significantly to achieving the climate objectives laid down in the Paris Agreement. Lower fuel consumption will reduce costs, creating more room for investment in operations for a stronger future. In addition to initiatives such as “Fly Responsibly”, KLM recently aligned its objectives for reducing CO₂ emissions with the UN Climate Agreement signed in Paris.

Further details on the definitive choice of engine as well as cabin configuration and equipment will be decided and announced in due course.

Refits complete in 2018

The refurbishment of the business class cabins in the remaining four A330-300s has already commenced; the last is expected to be completed in July 2018. KLM’s eight A330-200s will follow. Their refits are expected to be completed in October 2018.

The World Business Class interiors of all the Boeings 747,777-200 and 777-300 have already undergone this transformation. KLM’s Boeing 787 Dreamliners already have the new-style World Business Class cabins.

New World Business Class

Renowned Dutch designer, Hella Jongerius, designed the new seats and cabin interior. In addition, KLM’s new World Business Class also contains:

• Full-flat seats: 180 degrees reclinable and 206 cm long

• In-seat power and improved privacy

• Brand-new personal entertainment system with an 18” screen, HD quality films and a touchscreen navigation menu in 12 languages.

The new World Business Class has full-flat seats for maximum passenger comfort, a twelve-language Inflight Entertainment System and a 3D flight-tracking system. KLM’s new World Business Class cabin interior has been designed by the Dutch designer Hella Jongerius.

What is more, for years now, KLM World Business Class has offered meals developed by trendsetting Dutch chefs. This year, we have engaged chef Jacob Jan Boerma to work in KLM’s kitchens. The tableware that KLM uses with its meals was created by Dutch designer Marcel Wanders.

In the video, Captain Menno Kroon explains what extra preparation was required for the flight.

The Airbus A330-200 in 58 metres long and can carry 243 passenger. KLM has eight of these aircraft in its fleet.

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.

Museumplein will be deployed on routes to the USA, Africa, Middle East and the Caribbean.

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”.