KLM is betting on Airbus again on long-haul: by summer the first (of 22) A350s. And it will have suites on board
Last January 30, KLM welcomed its 28th and final Boeing 787. But already around [...]
KLM
SkyTeam
YYZ
Canada
Last January 30, KLM welcomed its 28th and final Boeing 787. But as early as late Summer 2026 (the specific date has not yet been announced). the Dutch carrier will also return to bet on Airbus for its long-haul fleet (after having done so on short-to-medium haul with the A321neo) , twelve years after the delivery of the last aircraft made in Toulouse, an Airbus A330-300.
In this article:
It will do so by putting into service the first of 22 Airbus A350-900s that are part of an order placed by the Air France/KLM Group in September 2023 for 50 A350s with options for 40 more. Previously, Air France had ordered 38 Airbus A350-900s, and the 2023 order made the Anglo-Dutch group the world's largest customer of the aircraft.
Initially, 11 of the 22 A350s destined for KLM were planned to be of the larger -1000 version, but during 2025 8 of those 11 -1000s were converted to -900s. Hence, at present, the Dutch airline will receive three Airbus A350-1000s and 19 Airbus A350-900s. The 'task of these is to replace the A330s and Boeing 777-200ERs that are currently in the fleet.
What if your next trip was because of points?
Join the Training Center and improve your knowledge in the world of travel reward
Most likely, the first to be replaced will be the 6 Airbus A330-200s and 5 Airbus A330-300s, which not only have an average age of over 17 years (with the -200 being well over 20 years old), but also have a distinctly dated in-flight product, with a 2-2-2 Business Class configuration and the absence of a Premium Economy.
Unlike the Boeing 777-200ERs, which also have more than 20 years of flight time on their shoulders, have recently been retrofitted with new Business cabins. in 1-2-1 configuration and a full-fledged Premium Economy cabin.
There will be three A350s coming to Amsterdam by 2026, and the carrier in recent hours revealed that the first two destinations to be served by the new aircraft will be Toronto and Dar Es Salaam. On board there will be 34 Business Class seats, 26 Premium Economy seats, 33 Economy Comfort seats and 238 Economy seats, for a total of 331 seats.
The seat chosen for Business Class is the Stelia Opera, the same seat that equips 21 of the 41 A350-900s in service with Air France and is distinguished by for the 21-inch (53cm) seat, the 20-inch IFE screen, but especially per the sliding door that increases its privacy and makes it in effect a suite. A 'plus' that to date KLM offers only to Business guests installed on its 16 Boeing 777-300ERs.
