Air France-KLM is investing a lot of money at the moment in its premium cabins. In 2022, we learned how KLM planned on introducing a new business class product on its Boeing 777s. This work started in 2023, and I wanted to share a major update, as all 777s have now been reconfigured with these seats, so you’re guaranteed the new cabins on all those jets.
Let’s cover all the details, though keep in mind that KLM’s new business class complements Air France having introduced a new business class product (actually, two new business class products), and planning on introducing a new first class product in the coming months.
In this post:
KLM finishes refreshing Boeing 777 cabins
The Boeing 777 is the backbone of KLM’s long haul fleet, as the carrier has 31 of these planes, including 15 777-200ERs and 16 777-300ERs. Given the long haul routes that this airplane operates, the 777s have in recent years had a rather outdated premium product.
KLM has historically offered Collins Aerospace Diamond seats on these planes, which are in a 2-2-2 configuration. While they’re fully flat, they’re about as tight as fully flat seats get.
The good news is that KLM has now finished a project to update these cabins. KLM’s Boeing 777s (including 777-200ERs and 777-300ERs) now all feature a new business class product with direct aisle access and privacy doors at each seat. KLM also recently introduced premium economy, so all 777s have premium economy cabins installed as well.
You’ve gotta give KLM absolutely massive credit for the pace at which it has retrofitted these jets. I mean, just compare this pace to what we’re seeing at some other airL(H)ines…
For context, KLM’s 777s are an average of roughly 14 years old. These planes still have plenty of life left in them, so cabin refreshes seem appropriate.
KLM’s new Boeing 777 business class seats
I’ve already reviewed KLM’s new 777 business class, and it’s definitely a huge improvement over the old experience.
KLM’s new Boeing 777 business class product consists of reverse herringbone seats with doors. The seat is similar to KLM’s Boeing 787-10 business class seats, which are from JAMCO. Specifically, KLM’s 777s all boast a customized version of the JAMCO Venture seat, so it’s an evolution of the product you’ll find on the 787-10.
The new seats have the following features, among other things:
- All World Business Class passengers have direct access to the aisle
- Every seat has a lightweight sliding door that can be easily opened and closed, so that the seat can be closed off for more privacy when working, relaxing, and sleeping
- The seat has more personal adjustment options and user-friendly functionality, including an adjustable lower-back support and a relax setting with a subtle back-massage feature
- The seat can reclined fully flat to form a comfortable, 198cm-long bed
- The seat has multiple charging sockets that are easily accessible and clearly visible, and passengers also have a wireless charging option
- Passengers can stow their belongings in a lockable compartment, which also has a built-in mirror
- The seat features a recessed bottle holder, so that passengers can safely leave a water bottle on their tabletop, even during turbulence
With KLM having finished reconfiguring its 777s, you’ll find reverse herringbone seats on all 777s and 787s, with the biggest difference being that the 777s have doors and better tech at the seats. I’m impressed by the pace at which KLM has reconfigured its fleet. A330s are the only wide body jets to not have direct aisle access, as they have the same seats that KLM used to have on 777s.
Interestingly KLM even has different business class seats between the 787-9s and 787-10s. KLM’s 787-9s have the Safran Cirrus seat in business class. At first glance this might look almost identical to the 787-10 product, but there are some differences.
Bottom line
KLM has finished reconfiguring all of its Boeing 777s with new business class seats, so you’ll now be guaranteed direct aisle access and doors on the entire 777 fleet.
These new seats make KLM’s business class much more competitive on the 777 for years to come, which is needed given the long routes these planes operate. The new seats are in a reverse herringbone configuration, featuring both direct aisle access and doors. They’re basically an evolution of the 787-10 business class product, except with a door.
What do you make of KLM’s new Boeing 777 business class?
I’m surprised to read this post. Can anyone verify that this news is also true for KLM’s 777-200s painted as “KLM Asia”? I’ve been looking at flights to Europe from SFO for the past few weeks. KLM seems to be alternating between 787-10s and KLM Asia 777-200s on this route. For the days where the route is operated on a 777, the flight details have still shown a 2-2-2 configuration in business class.
I was wondering, is there a specific herringbone product you prefer over the other e.g. Safran Cirrus, JAMCO Venture, Collins Aerospace Elements, etc.?
What is the situation with 1) KLM baggage handling and 2) Amsterdam airport operations?
All is back to normal. My far preferred airport for O/D and transit through Europe (sky team)
I wish they would do something about their generally awful catering. It’s poor from Amsterdam , which isn’t know for its cuisine, however from some outstations it’s terrible. I believe Air France and KLM also use the same suppliers at many, however it’s like night and day. AF will also introduce free Starlink WiFi, however no news from KLM.
I wouldn't say their catering is awful. It's actually quite decent in business class. Well their long haul catering, at any rate. Those inter-European box meals need to go.
One thing I find annoying is no bluetooth even on the newest product. Bluetooth is far more useful than wireless charging imo.
Meanwhile at Onestarhansa................
What is your obsession with doors in business class or first class? To me any seat other than coach is good with me. Do doors really matter.
I don't think anyone is saying doors make or break a seat. But if you polled most travelers, I'd warrant the majority would prefer having a door to not having a door.
It just adds a psychological sense of privacy/separation from the rest of the cabin, which makes the flight more comfortable for a lot of people.
It's an improvement many airlines are investing in because they see the increased consumer satisfaction with having doors.
I used to believe doors were a gimmick, but a few weeks ago I was finally able to try a business seat with doors and a some days later I was on a similar flight but without the doors.
Now, I feel doors do make a difference in comfort. For me the most noticeable thing was that it was easier to try to sleep (I sleep really badly when on a plane) because the...
I used to believe doors were a gimmick, but a few weeks ago I was finally able to try a business seat with doors and a some days later I was on a similar flight but without the doors.
Now, I feel doors do make a difference in comfort. For me the most noticeable thing was that it was easier to try to sleep (I sleep really badly when on a plane) because the door mitigated most of the visual distractions of crew and passengers coming and going. Silly thing, I know, but that's what surprised me the most.
@Todd:
Glad to see I am not the only one wondering about his weird obsession with doors. Doors that don't even actually close as there is a gap and they are not high enough to provide true privacy.
It isn’t “his” obsession. I would think many people seem to greatly value them, otherwise airlines wouldn’t invest in them…. Literally every new business class seat has doors (I believe), so it’s pretty clear there are many who like them.
just like the AVOD vs. streaming option (on airlines that offer some form of in-flight entertainment), the vast majority of passengers on planes with doors that close use them at some point during the flight.
You don't have to close them but you have a choice if they are there.
Why are people so polarized about products getting doors?
If you don't care about having a door then don't use it. I don't think most people would avoid booking an airline because the seat does or doesn't have a door.
A lot of people use them, otherwise airlines wouldn't be installing products with them. It's an industry trend to incorporate them into the seats.
It's always the same dumb comments being made about "I don't...
Why are people so polarized about products getting doors?
If you don't care about having a door then don't use it. I don't think most people would avoid booking an airline because the seat does or doesn't have a door.
A lot of people use them, otherwise airlines wouldn't be installing products with them. It's an industry trend to incorporate them into the seats.
It's always the same dumb comments being made about "I don't care about doors", when it's really not that deep.
@ Todd -- I'm not sure what makes you think I'm obsessed with doors? It's the direction the industry is headed, I'm acknowledging it, but I'm not "obsessed" with them. I mean, I mostly like them, but I also have lots of business class seats without doors that I like.