KLM is launching flights to Portland, representing the carrier’s 21st destination in North America. However, this new service will come at the expense of Delta’s existing flight, so the implications for consumers are fairly limited.
KLM adds Amsterdam to Portland route as of October 2024
As of October 27, 2024, KLM will launch a new year-round flight between Amsterdam (AMS) and Portland (PDX). The flight will operate 3x weekly in the winter season and 5x weekly in the summer season, with the following schedule:
KL615 Amsterdam to Portland departing 10:25AM arriving 11:25AM
KL616 Portland to Amsterdam departing 1:25PM arriving 7:50AM (+1 day)
The 5,004-mile flight is blocked at 10hr westbound and 9hr25min eastbound. I know many people probably won’t be a fan of the eastbound flight time, as a 1:25PM departure isn’t ideal for getting sleep, or for being able to check into a hotel upon arrival. Then again, it does line up with lots of connecting flight options.
KLM will use a Boeing 787-9 for the route, featuring 275 seats, including 30 business class seats, 21 premium economy seats, and 224 economy seats.
Delta is ending long haul flights in Portland
While it’s always exciting to see foreign carriers add service to US airports that don’t have a bunch of long haul flights, unfortunately this “new” route doesn’t represent much additional capacity at all. Instead, KLM is replacing Delta on this route, as Delta has operated this for around 15 years.
Delta, Air France-KLM, and Virgin Atlantic, all have a transatlantic joint venture, so it’s not unusual to see airlines adjust capacity between carriers, and trade routes. After all, airlines participating in a joint venture are usually acting as one in terms of route planning, etc.
On balance, there will actually be a bit of a capacity reduction here, as Delta is currently operating the route daily in the summer season, while starting next year, it will only be operated 5x weekly.
Delta cutting this route is pretty significant, as it will mark the end of Delta’s long haul service in Portland. Portland was an important hub for Northwest back in the day, before the Delta merger. However, in recent years, Delta has instead focused on making Seattle (SEA) its long haul gateway in the Pacific Northwest.
In the past, we’ve also seen Delta operate flights from Portland to London (LHR) and Tokyo (NRT), but those flights have been cut as well.
Bottom line
As of late October 2024, KLM will be launching a new year-round flight between Amsterdam and Portland, which will operate 3-5x weekly, depending on the season. While it’s exciting to see KLM expand to more markets, the reality is that the airline is only replacing joint venture partner Delta, which has been operating in the market for 15 years.
With Delta cutting its Portland to Amsterdam route, it also means that Delta will no longer have any long haul service out of the airport.
What do you make of KLM replacing Delta on the Portland to Amsterdam route?
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