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 finally started in 2023, and I wanted to share a major update, as all 777-300ERs have now been reconfigured with this product, so you’re guaranteed the new cabins on 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 within the next year.
In this post:
KLM’s progress 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 Given the long haul routes that this airplane operates, the 777s have in recent years had a rather outdated premium product.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 is now in the process of changing that. KLM’s Boeing 777s are all getting a new business class product featuring direct aisle access and privacy doors at each seat. KLM also recently introduced premium economy, so the 777s are getting premium economy cabins installed at the same time.
So, what’s the latest on this project, as of June 2024?
- All KLM Boeing 777-300ERs that are flying feature the new cabins; the last 777-300ER just went into the shop to be reconfigured, so if you fly the 777-300ER, you’re guaranteed the new product
- Now the focus for KLM is on reconfiguring Boeing 777-200ERs, as so far only one of the 15 jets features the new cabins; I’d expect that this work will be complete within a year or so
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 are getting 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 boast 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
- 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
- There are 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
Once KLM finishes 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 is reconfiguring its fleet.
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 is making good progress on reconfiguring its Boeing 777s with new business class seats. You’ll now find the new business class on all 777-300ERs that are flying, while 777-200ERs should be fitted with these seats over the next year.
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?
Well for the "gimmickies" ... I don't see the issue ... just leave your door open :-))
Personally I like to have the option.
Agreed. I think they are a great idea especially if you are a private person. No airline MAKES you use the door lol
I flew this last month. From JFK to AMS. It was very nice. A few points.
1) I found it got warm with the door closed. There are no individual air vents, and so closing the door while I was laying down got warm.
2) My outside armrest was broken. It wouldn't come up, but it wasn't a big deal as I like to keep it fully down.
3) The seat belt...
I flew this last month. From JFK to AMS. It was very nice. A few points.
1) I found it got warm with the door closed. There are no individual air vents, and so closing the door while I was laying down got warm.
2) My outside armrest was broken. It wouldn't come up, but it wasn't a big deal as I like to keep it fully down.
3) The seat belt was very tight. I thought maybe I had gotten chunkier so I actually asked for a seat belt extender so I could side sleep with my belt on. Turns out, the seat belt was jammed under the cushion (I found out upon landing), so I wasn't suddenly getting chunkier.
4) It was really too short of a flight to get a lot of sleep anyway, but I did find it a little tight to slide sleep. I was on the right side of the plane, so side sleeping facing the aisle, my knees were constrained. I could sleep the other way and my knees would bend, but I would be sleeping facing away from the aisle. Not a big deal as things go, but it wasn't the best.
5) Big screen with nice resolution and very responsive.
All in all, combined with the lovely service I had from the FA and a really early arrival in AMS (making transit really easy), I definitely enjoyed KLM on the 777 with the new seats. Its a big improvement from their previous seats regarding all aisle access and features.
Nice summary Ben!
Unfortunately, the A330s won't receive new seats, and will stick with the B/E Diamond seats until they're replaced by 787-10s and A350s.
For most of the 777s, it's the 3rd business class configuration they'll be flying with.
The 777-200s were initially delivered with the angled Koito seats in the 2-3-2 configuration. After the Koito fraud scandal, the 777-300s were delivered with the Air France NEV-3 - also angled in 2-3-2.
Then...
Nice summary Ben!
Unfortunately, the A330s won't receive new seats, and will stick with the B/E Diamond seats until they're replaced by 787-10s and A350s.
For most of the 777s, it's the 3rd business class configuration they'll be flying with.
The 777-200s were initially delivered with the angled Koito seats in the 2-3-2 configuration. After the Koito fraud scandal, the 777-300s were delivered with the Air France NEV-3 - also angled in 2-3-2.
Then came the B/E Diamond and now Jamco.
I'm pretty upset - I booked the new 1-2-1 KLM business class seats for my 40th birthday trip in July. Just checked today and they switched planes to the 2-2-2 setup, which I never would have booked. Really want to check out the new seat, but alas.
That only goes to prove that you can never trust any airline
They constantly do this. It happens every time I fly KLM. Book a 787, equipment change to 777-200ER. I swear they create a fake schedule with the superior cabin and then switch it out last minute.
Am I the only one that thinks doors on these seats is gimmicky and nothing to get excited about?
I think doors on most (if not all) business class seats are gimmicky and nothing to get excited about.
Doors when executed correctly are very good.
Delta's flimsy suite doors that collapse with any downward pressure on them? Not very premium.
Qatar's QSuites with sturdy, tall enclosing doors? Very premium.
Totally agree. As I said in another post here, people are either tired and/ or don’t give a damn about people around and just want to get to their destination.
They aren’t looking and bothering to look at other passengers unless said passenger being stared at is being disruptive and/ or drunk.
No. I think it's crazy that this is done at all.
Well Ben, know anything about the human who was sucked into a KLM jet engine a few days ago?
Apparently an airport employee who committed suicide. Not airline staff. Very sad :(
Thank you Icarus, the news broke here in England and then silence.
Agreed, extremely sad for all concerned with the deceased and the incident.
Never tried AF-KLM business, perhaps it`s time now...
Meanwhile at British Airways…
More like meanwhile at Lufthansa, it’s gonna take years to revamp their business class with a design that is somewhat already dated by now and the first class cabin is just not there lol.
They’ve already almost 50% rolled out what is probably a superior seat to this. Not totally clear what your point is.
BA started retrofitting their 777s close to five years ago and they're *still* not done with the LHR fleet. I get that it takes time to retrofit, but I'd imagine that KLM will finish retrofitting their 777 fleet at a faster clip than BA retrofitted theirs. I get that BA is close to 50% finished with the LHR long haul fleet at-large, but it's been a rather slow process