A new era for Dutch aviation touched down at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport on October 2. At 16:11 local time, Koninklijke Luchtvaart Maatschappij’s first Airbus A350-900 completed its delivery flight from Toulouse, marking a major milestone for the Dutch airline as it continues to modernize its intercontinental fleet.

KLM and the A350s

The relationship between the SkyTeam carrier and the Airbus A350XWB began more than a decade ago, specifically in June 2013, when it placed an initial order for 25 A350-900s. This commitment was made by the Air France-KLM Group, which intended to deploy the widebody on both European airlines.

However, to optimize operations and streamline efficiency, the group decided in 2019 to consolidate its Airbus A350-900 fleet under Air France and shift the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners originally intended for the French carrier to KLM. As a result, Air France embarked on its long-haul renewal with the A350-900, while KLM did so with the 787-9—both introducing brand-new aircraft.

At that time, Air France relied on a strong core of Airbus A330s and Boeing 777s, but already operated seven Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and was preparing to welcome its first Airbus A350-900, ending 2019 with three of the European jets. Meanwhile, KLM’s intercontinental fleet was highly diverse, comprising Airbus A330-200s, Airbus A330-300s, Boeing 777-200(ER)s, Boeing 777-300(ER)s, Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and its first four larger 787-10 Dreamliners, which were integrated by the end of that year. Additionally, Air France still operated the double-decker Airbus A380—a giant that would soon be retired in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

A new order

In September 2023, the Air France-KLM Group placed a massive order with Airbus for 50 A350-900s, with options for 40 more. Around 22 of these next-generation widebodies are earmarked for KLM to phase out its aging Airbus A330 and Boeing 777-200(ER) aircraft, which currently remain active in its network.

On August 25, 2005, KLM’s first Airbus A330-203 arrived in Amsterdam, fresh from the factory in Toulouse. Registered as PH-AOA, the aircraft was the first of 12 A330-200s to join the airline—a sub-fleet that has now been reduced to five active aircraft. The carrier also operates five Airbus A330-300s, all added to the fleet between 2012 and 2014.

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines introduced 15 Boeing 777-200(ER)s to its fleet between October 2003 and April 2007, with all of them remaining in active service. As with the A330s, every Boeing 777 acquired by the carrier was brand-new. According to the company’s fleet strategy, the A330-200, A330-300, and 777-200 variants will be withdrawn from commercial service before 2028, making way for the newly introduced, state-of-the-art Airbus A350-900s.

Brand-new Airbus

The arrival of the Airbus A350s follows the addition of brand-new Airbus A321neos, which KLM has been introducing since August 2024, as we previously reported. These next-generation narrowbodies are intended to renew the airline’s short-haul fleet, which is currently centered around the Boeing 737. As of this writing, 38 Boeing 737 Next Generation aircraft remain active in the fleet, including seven 737-700s, 26 737-800s, and five 737-900s, alongside 18 newly inducted A321neos.

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines will configure all of its Airbus A350-900s to seat 331 passengers in a three-class layout. The cabin features 34 suites in World Business Class, 26 seats in Premium Comfort, and 271 in the Economy cabin. By comparison, Air France’s own Airbus A350-900s are densely configured with 324 or 329 seats, also featuring three cabin classes.

As announced by KLM in its press release, Toronto Pearson will be the first airport to receive the Dutch airline’s Airbus A350-900s on scheduled flights. The inaugural service between Amsterdam and Toronto is planned for October 30, operating under flight number KL691.

First schedule and future plans

October 30th

• KL 691  Amsterdam AMS 13:30 · 16:40 YYZ Toronto
• KL 692  Toronto YYZ 18:55 · 07:05+1 AMS Amsterdam

Following its Canadian debut, KLM will gradually deploy the A350-900 across its North American and East African networks. Between November 30 and January 5, 2027, the widebody is scheduled to launch services to Montreal, alongside flights to Kilimanjaro, Dar-es-Salaam, Zanzibar, and Nairobi, expanding the aircraft’s initial footprint across Canadian, Kenyan, and Tanzanian markets.

• Amsterdam (AMS) – Montreal (YUL): 3 weekly · November 30
• AMS – Kilimanjaro (JRO) – Dar-es-Salaam (DAR) – AMS: 2 weekly · December 1
• AMS – Zanzibar (ZNZ) – Dar-es-Salaam (DAR) – AMS: 1 weekly · December 6
• Amsterdam (AMS) – Nairobi (NBO): 3 weekly · January 5, 2027

Fleet

According to our database, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines operates a mainline and regional fleet of more than 200 aircraft as of this publication, including those under KLM Cargo and KLM Cityhopper. Considering the Air France-KLM Group as a whole, the combined fleet reaches nearly 600 airplanes.

*More aircraft on order.

The airline expects to close 2026 with two Airbus A350-900s, followed by five units scheduled to arrive throughout 2027.

Shortly after its arrival in Amsterdam, the first Airbus A350-900 operated by the airline began conducting crew training flights on the Amsterdam–Stavanger route. A total of eight flights (four in each direction) were operated between October 3 and 4, with more test flights within Europe expected to take place.

KLM’s fleet renewal program involves an investment of 7 billion euros. In addition to the 22 Airbus A350-900s and an order for four Airbus A350-900F, the program includes the Airbus A321neo—as noted earlier—as well as the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and the Embraer E195-E2, the latter of which is operated by KLM Cityhopper.

Cover photo: © Joost Alexander – JetPhotos

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