Service schedule on intercontinental flights
The new service will be introduced on the following nine destinations on 1 July 2018: Bonaire (via Aruba), Entebbe (via Kigali), Fortaleza, Osaka, Hong Kong, Vancouver, Seoul, Rio de Janeiro and Houston. From the start of our winter schedule on 28 October, the service will be available on all our intercontinental flights. The flights are subdivided into daytime and night-time flights, but also into three different distance zones, namely:

• Short-range intercontinental flights;
• Medium-range intercontinental flights;
• Long-range intercontinental flights.

The overall service will be adjusted per zone, so that it best coincides with the biorhythms of passengers. Passengers will, as always, be served a range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages aboard every flight.

Why this new Economy Class service?
The new collective labour agreement for our cabin crew includes a clause that one less crewmember will be assigned on many intercontinental flights. Consequently, a more efficient Economy Class service is required. By better utilising the space on meal trays, trolleys can be stocked with more trays, ensuring that passengers are served more quickly. The new service is also more in line with passengers’ wishes, in that the amount of food and drinks served remains the same, while the quality of the service improves.

Sustainable catering
KLM strives to ensure that its inflight catering is as sustainable as possible. On all flights, UTZ-certified or Fairtrade chocolate and coffee is served. On all flights out of Amsterdam, KLM exclusively serves chicken and egg products that are certified and have been produced in an animal-friendly manner. For these efforts, KLM has won the Good Egg Award and the Good Chicken Award. Wherever possible, sustainable catering is provided on flights to Amsterdam as well.

The new intercontinental Economy Class concept has also been devised with sustainability in mind. The new trays and cutlery are lighter than before, which helps to reduce CO₂ emissions. In addition, the paper placemat on the tray has been removed, which means millions fewer sheets of paper are required annually.

More eco-benign

The Embraer 175+ has numerous technical features that substantially reduce fuel consumption and, hence, CO₂ emissions. Compared to the Fokker 70, the new E175+ burns 22% less fuel.

If you’d like to learn more about the arrival procedure for the new Embraers, take a look at the video clip below.

The Light option is for passengers seeking the lowest possible fare, who intend to travel with hand luggage only. Passengers who choose the Standard option are allowed to take along one piece of hold baggage and have the option of changing their ticket for a fee. Flex ensures maximum flexibility and includes hold baggage as well as SkyPriority service and the option of changing or cancelling a ticket free of charge.

Light, Standard and Flex are predefined options, but passengers still have the option of further customising their ticket by adding additional services. For instance, Light with hold baggage, or Standard with Economy Comfort for more legroom. These choices can be made during booking or at a later time.

Click here for more information.

About Minneapolis
Minneapolis is the largest city in the American state of Minnesota and has a population of around 400,000. This city has a unique system of skyways. These glass-enclosed pedestrian bridges link the buildings in the centre of Minneapolis, allowing you to walk through the city while sheltering from the winter cold or summer heat. The city is famous for the Minneapolis Sound. This pop music trend, pioneered by Prince, created a furore in the 1980s. The city also boasts numerous nightclubs, modern art, and a large number of theatres, which are barely surpassed by New York. In terms of commerce, Minneapolis is a centre for medical industries and financial institutions.

KLM’s current aim is to reduce CO2 emissions by 20% in 2020 (compared to 2011 levels) through fleet renewal, using sustainable biofuel and increasing flight efficiency. KLM is best in class when it comes to fuel efficiency and is leading in using sustainable biofuel.

The flights have also been made possible by the partners of the Corporate BioFuel programme, which this week expanded to include ABN AMRO. The corporations that participate in the KLM Corporate BioFuel Programme pay a surcharge that covers the price difference between sustainable biofuel and traditional kerosene. This investment is fully utilised by KLM to purchase sustainable biofuel, which is added to the fuel pumped into KLM aircraft at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and elsewhere, like Oslo. Consequently, the participating corporations reduce CO2 emissions resulting from their business travel, but also contribute to the further development of the biofuel market.
 

* ITAKA: Initiative Towards SustAinable Kerosene for Aviation. ITAKA, a consortium of leading aerospace and fuel companies, was established to produce sustainable biofuel for use in aviation. ITAKA is a cooperative project funded by the European Commission. The project aims to produce sustainable, renewable jet fuel and to test its use in existing logistics systems and during regular flight operations within Europe.

Jacob Jan has compiled four different menus, all of which seamlessly match the quality of KLM.

Jacob Jan Boerma and Kim Veldman opened restaurant De Leest in Vaassen in 2002. The restaurant received its first Michelin Star in 2003, its second in 2007 and, in 2014, the ultimate achievement, its third Michelin Star. De Leest is among the leaders of Dutch gastronomy. The cuisine is French with cosmopolitan influences. Fresh elements are prominent and the restaurant stands out for its use of local, often organic produce. The restaurant has now attracted international fame. Jacob Jan will open his own restaurant at Amsterdam’s newly renovated Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky in 2016.

The launch of the new app marks a first step in re-defining the KLM digital ecosystem. The apps flat, modular architecture, together with its brand new APIs can be extended to any other digital touch point. This approach enables KLM to offer customers a frictionless and familiar experience – anywhere, anytime, on any device. Moreover, KLM will be able to analyze a customer’s previous behavior and learn about preferences to make a personalized offer e.g. a window seat.

The new KLM smartphone app is now available in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

New cabin interior Economy Class
The new economy class seats offer passengers more legroom. The smart design of the new economy class seats creates extra legroom, offering greater comfort. And there’s more; the ergonomically optimised headrest offers better neck support. Specially designed cushions, sustainable high-density materials and a power socket offer passengers relaxation and greater control. The fact that the new seats are the lightest in their class is yet another improvement. Less weight generates fuel savings, which will in turn reduce CO2 emissions.

Inflight entertainment system
The new cabin interior also boasts a new inflight entertainment system, offering bigger 9‑inch HD touch screens, interactive 3D-cards and the option of communicating with fellow passengers seated elsewhere in the plan using “seat chat”. The inflight entertainment system offers access to more than 150 films and 200 TV programmes in numerous languages, and includes a large number of local films.

Luxurious personal space in World Business Class
In tandem with the introduction of the new economy class, KLM also enhanced its new World Business Class in the Boeing 777. The key element here is the new full-flat seat. The way in which the new seats are positioned in the cabin, coupled with a range of smart design choices, now offer maximum privacy during sleep or work time. Aspects including warmer colours – that differ for each seat – and ample storage space ensure optimal comfort and more personal space for passengers. Combined with bigger, softer cushions and new luxurious blankets, the new World Business Class exudes a warm and friendly look & feel. Personal 16-inch screens operated using touch-screen handsets serve to complete the luxurious World Business Class experience. And a dual-screen experience is also offered, with passengers being able to play games and/or chat while watching a film.

The new Economy Class seats offer travellers more legroom and a whole new inflight entertainment system, featuring a larger 9-inch, HD-quality touchscreen, interactive 3D cards and a ‘seat chat’ app that allows travellers to communicate with passengers who are seated elsewhere in the cabin.

The renovation of all 15 Boeing 777-200s will be completed by the end of 2015. The Boeing 777-300 fleet and other aircraft will then be renovated. In addition, two new 777-300s, featuring the new interior and inflight entertainment system, will join the KLM fleet in 2015. KLM’s total Boeing 777 fleet with then consist of 25 aircraft.

More legroom and more comfort in Economy Class
The smart design of the new Economy Class seats creates extra legroom, thus ensuring greater comfort. In addition, the ergonomically optimised headrests offer improved neck support. Specially designed cushions as well as durable, high-density materials and a power outlet add to passenger comfort and control. And last but not least: the new inflight entertainment system offers access to more than 150 movies and 200 TV shows in many languages, including many local movies.

Another key improvement is that the new seats are the lightest in their class. Less weight means lower fuel consumption and, hence, lower CO2 emissions.

The introduction of the new inflight entertainment system in both Business and Economy Class offers enough diversion for a trip around the globe and beyond – together with travel companions, in the company of fellow passengers or individually.

Luxurious personal space in World Business Class
Together with the introduction of the new Economy Class, KLM has introduced a new World Business Class interior aboard its Boeing 777 fleet. Naturally, the standard matches that of the new World Business Class interior introduced aboard the Boeing 747 fleet. The design revolves around the new full-flat seat. The positioning of the new seats in the cabin and various other smart design elements ensure maximum privacy while sleeping or working. The pallet of warm colours – that differ per seat – and plenty of storage space ensure greater comfort and more personal space for passengers. In combination with the bigger soft cushions and luxurious new blankets, all this ensures a warm and friendly atmosphere in the new World Business Class. The 16-inch screen, operated with a touchscreen handset, adds to the luxurious Business Class experience. Furthermore, passengers have a dual-screen option that allows them to watch a movie and simultaneously play a game or chat. KLM is proud that it can now also offer its customers the superb new Business and Economy Class aboard its 777-200 fleet.

In the reconfigured Fokker 70’s with new slim seats the European Business Class will be reduced to six rows.  For the introduction Economy Comfort on the Embraer 190 fleet only a reconfiguration of current seats is necessary. The introduction of Economy Comfort will decrease the number of European Business Class seats.

Modified Fokker 70 aircraft will be easy to recognize when you enter the aircraft, showing 80 new seats with exclusive design.

The seats will have the following new characteristics:

• Recline of the seatback is possible by operating a recline handle under the seat.
• The light weight seats and the new light weight seatbelts save up to 140kg per aircraft.
• The seat cover design is made of E-leather (eco leather). This fabric is made of leather off-cuts and produced environmentally friendly.
• Co-designed in cooperation with Fokker Services and its partner ACRO and Dutch designer Hella Jongerius.

Air France-KLM will develop the strategy for its three businesses (Passenger-Cargo-Maintenance) as part of an ongoing dialogue with the companies. The companies are responsible for strategy and operational implementation and the quality of customer service, with the Group's support.

This new phase will strengthen collaboration between Air France and KLM, based on transparent, effective and fair decision-making processes.

The Group’s Executive Committee is made up as follows:

• Group Chairman and CEO: Alexandre de Juniac

Air France and KLM representatives

• Air France Chairman and CEO: Frederic Gagey
• KLM President and CEO: Camiel Eurlings
• Air France COO: Alain Bassil
• KLM COO and KLM Deputy CEO: Pieter Elbers

Group functions

• Executive Vice-President Commercial, Sales and Marketing: Patrick Alexandre
• Executive Vice-President Commercial Marketing: Pieter Bootsma
• Chief Financial Officier: Philippe Calavia
• Executive Vice-President Strategy - Passenger Business: Bram Gräber
• Executive Vice-President Human Resources: Wim Kooijman
• Executive Vice-President Information Technology: Jean-Christophe Lalanne
• Executive Vice-President Engineering and Maintenance: Franck Terner
• Executive Vice-President Cargo: Erik Varwijk
• Chief of staff, Group Executive Committee Secretary: Guy Zacklad

- Biographies and pictures available on www.airfranceklm.com and www.klm.com/corporate/nl/

Schedule
For the arrival and departure times of these flights check out www.klm.com.

This is the result of a joint effort and expanded cooperation between KLM, Schiphol Group, Delta Air Lines, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and by contributions of KLM’s partners in the Corporate BioFuel Program. Cooperation is a priority for the future of sustainable biofuel in the aviation industry. By this initiative KLM demonstrates that sustainable biofuel in the airline industry is here to stay.

In addition to the participation in KLM’s BioFuel program, Schiphol Group has invested in the KLM flights using sustainable biofuel. The series of biofuel flights - from John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport - will start on 8 March with a flight from Schiphol to JFK. The sustainable fuel is obtained from used cooking oil.

In June 2012, KLM’s longest biofuel flight ever travelled from Amsterdam to Rio de Janeiro. The flights to New York are the next step and proofs KLM’s pioneering role in the development of sustainable biofuel.

New Biofuel Partners
KLM has been working with the World Wide Fund for Nature the Netherlands (WWF-NL) since 2007. The cooperation aims to stimulate a more sustainable airline industry by reducing CO2 emissions, increasing fuel efficiency, and investing in innovations such as sustainable biofuel.

Last year KLM launched the world’s first biofuel proposition for contracted corporate accounts. This will allow them to fly on sustainable biofuel for a portion of their total flight volume, or on specific routes, thereby stimulating the further development of biofuels and reducing the aviation industry’s carbon footprint. The number of partners in the programme has more than doubled to fifteen. Since this year it includes the City of Amsterdam, Loyens & Loeff, PGGM, FMO, Delta Air Lines, Siemens, TomTom and CBRE Global Investors. They follow initial customers such as Ahold, Accenture, DSM, Heineken, Nike, Philips and Schiphol Group who have been supporting KLM’s BioFuel programme since June of 2012.

Sustainable Biofuel
KLM’s biofuel is supplied by SkyNRG, a company which KLM founded 2009 together with ARGOS (North Sea Petroleum) and Spring Associates. SkyNRG is now the world’s market leader for sustainable kerosene, supplying more than fifteen carriers worldwide and the operating partner in the KLM’s BioFuel program. For the JFK International Airport to Schiphol Amsterdam Airport route, SkyNRG is supported by its longstanding US Partner EPIC Aviation LLC to distribute the fuel.

For KLM biofuel is only an option if it does not have a negative impact on biodiversity, local development and/or the local food supply. As of March 2013, SkyNRG is the first fully certified renewable jet fuel supply chain by RSB (Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels).

• the amount of the fuel surcharge is now directly included in the cost of miles when purchasing award tickets for medium-haul flights. Only the airport taxes have to be paid separately.
• customers retain their Elite (Silver, Gold, Platinum) status more easily: all status miles in excess of the customer’s current card threshold level are automatically carried over from one year to the next**.

Flying Blue Store, an online store for earning and using miles
Since April 2012, the Flying Blue Store, a real online shop dedicated to Flying Blue members has been accessible on the www.flyingbluenews.com site. It notably allows:

• to purchase awards with 31 airlines and over 100 non-airline partners: Hertz, Avis, Sixt, Best Western, Hilton, UGC, resort car hire, etc. ,
• to earn miles with some one hundred partners (Amex, Accor for example) by making purchases with brands recommended by Flying Blue members which offer travel, design, art and decoration-related items such as Galeries Lafayette, Zara, Adidas, iTunes, FNAC.com, Fauchon and Lavazza,
• to benefit from promotional awards regularly published on the site. 

*including North Africa and Israel

**For e.g., a Flying Blue Silver member with 35,000 status miles at the end of the year will be able to retain his Silver status the following year thanks to his 25,000 status miles. Moreover, he will begin the year with 10,000 status miles, corresponding to his 35,000 status miles from which the 25,000 status miles required to reach Silver are deducted. Previously, he would have had to reset his status miles account. This innovation will allow each customer to attain a higher status more quickly.

Using miles to travel to New York

For Ivory customers

• 3 Paris-New York round-trips in Voyageur class entitling customers to a Paris-Nice round-trip award ticket in Voyageur class.
• 4 Paris-New York round-trips in Voyageur class entitling customers to a Paris-Barcelona round-trip award ticket in Voyageur class.
• 7 Paris-New York round-trips in Voyageur class entitling customers to a Paris-New York round-trip award ticket in Voyageur class.

For Silver customers

• 2 Paris-New York round-trips in Voyageur class entitling customers to a Paris-Nice round-trip award ticket in Voyageur class.
• 3 Paris-New York round-trips in Voyageur class entitling customers to a Paris-Barcelona round-trip award ticket in Voyageur class.
• 5 Paris-New York round-trips in Voyageur class entitling customers to a Paris-New York round-trip award ticket in Voyageur class.

For Gold customers

• 2 Paris-New York round-trips in Voyageur class entitling customers to a Paris-Nice or Paris-Barcelona round-trip award ticket in Voyageur class.
• 4 Paris-New York round-trips in Voyageur class entitling customers to a Paris-New York round-trip award ticket in Voyageur class.

For Platinum customers

• 1 Paris-New York round-trip in Business class entitling customers to a Paris-Barcelona or Paris-Nice round-trip award ticket in Voyageur class.
• 2 Paris-New York round-trips in Business class entitling customers to a Paris-New York round-trip award ticket in Voyageur class.

A miles calculator is available on the site to calculate the number of award miles required for a specific flight.

Flying Blue in figures

• Europe’s leading frequent flyer programme with 21 million members in 2012
• 2/3 of members are international
• Miles are valid for life providing that customers travel once every twenty months or pay for their purchases with the Flying Blue American Express card
• Award tickets represent on average 4% of available capacity, i.e. 13 Airbus A380s per day.
• 31 airlines and over 100 non-airline partners.
• Four levels: Ivory, Silver, Gold and Platinum.

Flying Blue is the frequent flyer programme of Air France and KLM, Tarom, Kenya Airways, Air Europa and Air Calin.

Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires and Havana/Punta Cana are also served by Air France. With our dual-hub strategy through Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and Paris Charles de Gaulle, the schedules of Air France and KLM are seamlessly connected. Together, the two airlines operate 17 weekly flights to

Rio de Janeiro, 13 weekly flights to Havana, 10 weekly flights to Buenos Aires, and 7 weekly flights to Punta Cana.

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”. 

President & CEO Peter Hartman: “I am proud of the new Managing Board of Directors. We have been carrying out intensive discussions with Camiel Eurlings since December concerning the role he might play within KLM. I am extremely delighted by the outcome of these discussions. I am also very pleased to welcome Erik Varwijk to the Board.”

Eurlings’ main responsibility will be Air France - KLM Cargo. He is taking over this director’s portfolio over from Mr Hartman. Eurlings: “I have considered many serious offers over the last few months, but it is with complete conviction that I have chosen KLM, the pride of our nation. KLM is vitally important to the Dutch economy and, together with partner Air France, a major player on the world stage. It is a company that is focused on the future, has a long Dutch tradition and highly dedicated workforce. My responsibility for Cargo returns me to my original discipline as a logistical engineer. It is an extremely interesting job which will also enable me to better plan my private life.”

Michael Wisbrun, Executive Vice President KLM Cargo and chair of the Joint Cargo Committee Air France KLM Martinair, has been proposed for a new AIR FRANCE KLM position. An announcement will follow in due course. “I have led KLM Cargo with great pleasure for almost twelve years and am looking forward to working with Eurlings over the coming months.” Wisbrun will handover his membership of the AIR FRANCE KLM Group Executive Committee.

Erik Varwijk has worked for KLM since 1989 and for the time being remains Executive Vice President Commercial Passenger Business. As a director he will retain his current responsibilities, both within AIR FRANCE KLM and KLM. “I am delighted to be able to take this step,” Mr Varwijk said. “KLM is taking an important step in anchoring this part of our business to the Board of Directors is an important development for KLM.”

The proposed appointments of Camiel Eurlings and Erik Varwijk will be presented for approval at the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders on 1 July 2011. The Works Council is being consulted on the appointments.