In September 2023, Air France-KLM placed an incremental order for up to 90 Airbus A350s, including 50 firm orders and 40 options. The intent was for these planes to be used for long term fleet renewal across both carriers.
Prior to this, Air France had already been flying Airbus A350s, while KLM’s wide body fleet renewal was focused on Boeing 787s. We’ve known that KLM would soon start taking delivery of the A350, and there’s now an interesting update, as we won’t have to wait much longer for this plane to fly. However, we may have to wait quite some time to fly in certain seats.
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KLM plans long haul fleet renewal with Airbus A350s
KLM will soon start taking delivery of its first of at least 22 Airbus A350-900s. The first plane is expected to be delivered in August 2026, with all planes joining the fleet by 2030. KLM expects to have its first commercial flight with the aircraft in September, with Amsterdam (AMS) to Toronto (YYZ) being the inaugural long haul route.
The intent is to use these planes for long haul fleet renewal, largely replacing Airbus A330s, and in the long run, some of the Boeing 777s (with the 777-200ERs leaving the fleet before the 777-300ERs, though the airline has invested nicely in the interiors of those planes). The A350 is an incredible aircraft in terms of range, fuel efficiency, and passenger experience.
KLM always has fun with naming its planes, and has announced that the first plane will be named “The Night Watch,” after the renowned painting by Rembrandt. With this aircraft, KLM is introducing a new naming theme for the A350 fleet, inspired by famous Dutch works of art.
KLM Airbus A350s will have 331 seats in three cabins
What can passengers expect onboard KLM’s new Airbus A350-900s? The planes will feature 331 seats, including 34 business class seats, 26 premium economy seats, 33 extra legroom economy seats, and 238 standard economy seats. aeroLOPA has the seat map for the plane, so it’s worth a look.
Airbus A350s will represent a significant capacity increase over the planes that they’re primarily replacing, as currently A330-200s can accommodate 243 passengers, A330-300s can accommodate 292 passengers, and 777-200ERs can accommodate 316 passengers. Given the slot controls at Schiphol, it makes sense for the airline to increasingly operate higher capacity aircraft.
I don’t think this is surprising, but KLM isn’t going for a particularly premium layout here in terms of the distribution of business class seats vs. economy seats. For example, Air France’s newer A350-900s have 48 business class seats, so that’s a much bigger premium cabin. Obviously that reflects that Paris has a lot more premium demand than Amsterdam.
KLM has a problem with its new business class seats
In what can only be described as an incredibly common issue nowadays, the airline notes how “due to a revised interpretation of regulatory requirements by the aviation authorities, certification of the World Business Class seats has not yet been completed.” As a result, these seats will unfortunately not be available when the first two aircraft enter service.
The seat manufacturer is working hard to complete the certification process as quickly as possible and make this cabin available to passengers ASAP. Meanwhile all other seats and cabins will be available from day one.
Here’s what I find most noteworthy — KLM’s A350s are expected to feature the STELIA Aerospace OPERA seating platform in business class, the same product you’ll find on Air France’s newest A350s. Air France and KLM have the same regulator in the European Union, so you’d think that if one product is certified, the other one would be as well.
But I appreciate KLM’s transparency here, noting that this issue is due to “revised interpretation of regulatory requirements.” So I guess Air France can keep taking delivery of the planes with the seat that’s already certified, while it’s proving an issue for a new airline? Man, the airline business isn’t easy, eh?
Bottom line
KLM is expected to take delivery of its first Airbus A350-900 in August 2026, so that’s just weeks away. The first long haul destination will be Toronto, and the planes will be configured with 331 seats. This should be a great new plane, and represents a nice modernization for the airline.
KLM will have similar business class seats on the A350 to what you’ll find on Air France’s A350 fleet. The only catch is that the seats aren’t actually certified yet, due to “revised interpretation of regulatory requirements.” As airplane seats have evolved over the years, it’s amazing how much of an issue certification has become.
I look forward to flying this plane… once all seats are certified!
What do you make of KLM’s Airbus A350 plans?
We got plenty of new A350 newcomers coming online! KLM, EVA, Qantas, Riyadh Air just to name a few. There's also Air Canada that'll come later on top of freighters.
May the ghost of Captain Frans Banninck Cocq haunt this mobile abortion of an Airpus.
Let me be clear: Lufthansa is a trendsetter. They were the first to fly with an empty business class.
Delta and KLM are just cheap copies.
*cries in lack of Delft Blue Houses*
KLM's business class is pretty awful anyways. It's probably the worst major airline's business class.
Take it back, Nick! It's all worth it for the little houses!
"KLM's business class is pretty awful anyways. It's probably the worst major airline's business class."
Why do you say that? Are you referring to the hard product, soft product, both?
Both. Thankfully, Air France is run as a separate airline because everything about KLM is bad. Lounges, wine, food, etc. They're basically the Easy Jet or Ryan Air of flag carriers.
Sure, AF has better food and wine; but, Nick, they're frequently delayed. At least KL is more reliable. I'd trust a 1-hour connection at AMS; at CDG, no freakin' way...