KLM News

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American Airlines to extend Starlink across 1,000+ mainline aircraft as KLM and Royal Air Maroc commit to service

American Airlines plans to expand Starlink beyond its Airbus narrowbodies to more than 1,000 mainline aircraft. KLM will install the service on long-haul aircraft, while Royal Air Maroc plans fleet installations, becoming the first African operator to adopt Starlink; the commitments add more than 100 aircraft to the installation backlog.

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KLM takes delivery of its first Airbus A350-900, beginning its latest-generation long-haul fleet renewal

KLM has taken delivery of its first A350-900 in Toulouse, introducing the Airbus widebody into a long-haul fleet that has been dominated by Boeing aircraft. The airline’s business-class seats are nearing certification but will be blocked on the aircraft’s initial flights, limiting the cabin configuration at entry into service.

FlightGlobal

KLM Cityhopper trials SITA OptiDescent to identify lower-fuel flight trajectories

KLM Cityhopper has conducted an initial trial of SITA’s OptiDescent, a predictive-modeling tool that suggests flight trajectories designed to reduce fuel burn. The Netherlands-based carrier could explore a wider implementation, though no further deployment details are provided.

Air Data News

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KLM takes delivery of first A350-900, beginning 22-aircraft long-haul fleet renewal

KLM has received its first Airbus A350-900, PH-ZNA, named De Nachtwacht after Rembrandt’s painting. Delivered in Toulouse and flown to Amsterdam-Schiphol, the aircraft is scheduled to enter passenger service on October 30 between Amsterdam and Toronto, launching KLM’s planned 22-aircraft A350 fleet.

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KLM delays Airbus A350-900 operations to early fourth quarter 2026 after delivery setbacks

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines plans to begin Airbus A350-900 operations in early fourth quarter 2026, reflecting delivery delays that have pushed back the aircraft’s entry into the carrier’s fleet and its associated fleet and network planning milestones.

FlightGlobal

KLM plans winter return to Gulf as Riyadh Air adds Milan route

KLM’s winter schedule calls for the reinstatement of flights to Dubai, Riyadh and Dammam, alongside service to 164 destinations from Amsterdam and a return to Entebbe. Separately, Riyadh Air will launch direct Riyadh–Milan flights on Dec. 16 as Saudi Arabia’s newest carrier expands into Europe.

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KLM Boeing 777 returns to Amsterdam after former CEO’s power bank catches fire in business class

KLM flight KL735, carrying 322 passengers from Amsterdam to Curaçao, turned back over the Atlantic after a power bank caught fire in the business-class cabin. The incident reportedly caused minor burns and highlights the operational and safety risks posed by lithium-battery devices in flight.

FlightGlobal

KLM completes A350 test flights ahead of first delivery, with Toronto, Montreal and Nairobi planned

KLM has completed two test flights with its first Airbus A350 ahead of delivery later this month. The widebody is expected to enter service on routes including Toronto, Montreal and Nairobi, marking the aircraft’s initial deployment within KLM’s network.