The Pilgrims’ journey began a lasting connection across the Atlantic, one that KLM has proudly continued for 106 years. As the world’s oldest airline still operating under its original name, KLM has played a key role in linking the Netherlands and Europe with the United States. As part of the Air France-KLM Group and in Joint Venture with Delta Air Lines, KLM carries millions of passengers each year between Europe and the US, serving a network of fifteen US destinations. These connections support the economies and prosperity on both sides of the ocean.

A rich Leiden history

Villa Rameau, now home to the Leiden American Pilgrim Museum, has a storied past. The Pilgrims’ first harvest festival here, inspired by the Relief of Leiden, eventually became what Americans know as Thanksgiving, a tradition still honored every year at the Pieterskerk. Later, the Rameau family, residents of the house, played a crucial role in the local resistance during World War II. This spot in Leiden stands for perseverance in turbulent times and forging new bonds, values KLM holds dear.

About the Delft Blue Houses

Since the 1950s, KLM has given Delft Blue houses filled with Bols Dutch Gin as gifts to World Business Class passengers on intercontinental flights. These miniatures represent special buildings from the Netherlands and beyond and are beloved collectors’ items. Since 1994, the number of houses matches KLM’s age. Each year on October 7, KLM’s birthday, a new house is added to the collection. The annual KLM house is a tribute to places that connect the Netherlands with the wider world.

KLM miniature: Hotel New York
Hotel New York is the former headquarters of the Holland-America Line.

70 years to New York
The fact that KLM has maintained a direct connection between Amsterdam and New York for 70 years is a major, symbolic milestone. Many of the key milestones in KLM’s history have some connection with North America. Moreover, North America is KLM’s second-largest market, after Europe. Together with its partner Delta Air Lines, KLM annually carries more than 2.8 million passengers between Amsterdam and a wide array of North American destinations.

The history of KLM miniatures
KLM has been presenting its Delftware miniature houses on board since the 1950s. The miniatures are replicas of exceptional Dutch buildings. Since 1994, the number of houses in the series has kept pace with KLM’s age, with a new house being presented every year on KLM’s anniversary, 7 October. The miniatures are presented to World Business Class passengers on intercontinental flights.

For more information, click here for a blog about KLM miniature No. 97.

The SieboldHuis is a museum on Rapenburg in Leiden exhibiting objects collected by Philipp Franz von Siebold (1796-1866) between 1823 and 1829 during his stay in Deshima, the Dutch trading post at Nagasaki in Japan. The SieboldHuis is also a more general museum for Japanese culture, celebrating the longstanding ties between Japan and the Netherlands.

KLM first began presenting its Delftware miniatures in the 1950s. The little houses are replicas of monumental buildings in the Netherlands. Since 1994, the number of houses in the collection has kept pace with KLM’s own age, with a new miniature being added to the collection on October 7 each year, marking KLM’s anniversary. The miniatures are presented to World Business Class passengers on Intercontinental flights.

The SieboldHuis is the fourth building in Leiden to become a KLM miniature. The other houses are Hooglandse Kerkgracht 19, Stadstimmerwerf aan het Korte Galgenwater 1, and Rapenburg 31.

KLM’s Dutch roots are also a central theme in the From Holland Festival. In October and November, passengers on all flights originating in Amsterdam can enjoy products and articles with a Dutch touch.

The starters, main courses and desserts served in World Business Class were created by the successful chef Mario Ridder of the two-star restaurant De Zwethheul in Schipluiden near Delft. Aside from wines grown in the Netherlands or created abroad, passengers will also have the chance to sample a variety of Dutch snacks such as kroketten, poffertjes and cheese cubes. The Economy Class menu includes meatballs with mashed potatoes, white beans and French beans. Dutch films will also be available on the inflight entertainment system.

And, during the first month, all passengers can send home a picture postcard designed by the Dutch duo BLOND. KLM will send the cards with the help of PostNL.

“KLM is once again proud to be working with one of the Netherlands’ most successful chefs. Mario Ridder is the latest in a series of great chefs to create meals for KLM; other names include Sergio Herman and Jonnie Boer,” said Erik Varwijk, Executive Vice President KLM Commercial.

KLM President & CEO, Peter Hartman explains, “Our Delft Blue houses are popular collectables. Around the world collectors do all they can to complete their collections. And I can promise, they can’t stop collecting yet, because KLM will be presenting these houses for many years to come. We have faith in the future and plan to celebrate many more birthdays.” The 90th house is a replica of ‘Wester-Amstel’ house, one of the oldest existing merchant’s houses in Holland. ‘Wester-Amstel’ house was built in 1662 by Nicolaas Pancras, then Mayor of Amsterdam and a governor of the Dutch East India Company (VOC). Peter Hartman presented the first copy of the 90th KLM Delft Blue House to the Mayor of Amstelveen, Jan van Zanen, and to the owner of the original building, Mr. Søren Movig.

To mark KLM’s 90th anniversary a special book has been compiled on the KLM House Collection, entitled ‘House No. 90’. It contains all 90 houses along with a history of the original buildings and stories about the previous residents. Mr Hartman presented the first copy to Prof. Pieter van Vollenhoven.

The book presentation was followed by the opening of the photographic exhibition ‘90 Years of KLM’ at Museum Van der Togt. The exhibition presents images of KLM’s rich history and has drawn strongly on the KLM Historical Photo Archive, which is managed by the Maria Austria Institute. Paul Huf and Rineke Dijkstra are among the photographers whose work gives a wide-ranging impression of 90 years of KLM history. There are historical images of Amsterdam, old Schiphol, the airfield at Waalhaven in Rotterdam, and famous and less well-known passengers. Ten recent photographs by Hans Willemsen and Marco Borggreve are also included. The exhibition of photographs is supplemented with historical posters, material that used to be used on board, and the new women’s uniform, designed by Mart Visser. The complete collection of KLM Delft Blue Houses is also on display at Museum Van der Togt.