Proud!
KLM employees have been writing aviation history for more than 100 years by looking ahead. Time for a scroll down memory lane.
- 2024
Wifi on board
The digital travel experience is improving by beginning to offer free Wi-Fi on board.
- 2024
Fleet renewal
KLM advances fleet sustainability by replacing Boeing 737s with cleaner, quieter and more efficient Airbus A321neo aircraft.
- 2022
Premium comfort
KLM introduces Premium Comfort Class, a new travel class between Economy and Business with added comfort and service.
- 2020
Vital Air Cargo
During COVID, KLM transported vital medical supplies worldwide by converting passenger flights into cargo operations.
- 2020
Aircraft of the future
KLM and TU Delft are working together on the aircraft of the future: the Flying-V. Milestone: successful test flight of a scale model.
- 2019
100 years KLM
Thanks to the contributions of so many people, KLM is able to celebrate it's 100th birthday on October 7th 2019.
- 2019
More SAF
KLM adds a standard 0.5 percent Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) to all flights departing from Amsterdam.
- 2011
24/7 online
On the 19th of September, KLM launched 24/7 social support on Twitter and Facebook, offering fast, personal customer service in the digital age.
- 2004
Air France KLM merger
Air France-KLM is founded during the airlines' merger.
- 1991
New airline
Creation of KLM Cityhopper, through a merger of NLM Cityhopper and NetherLines.
- 1978
First female pilot
The first female pilot joins KLM: Marie-Louise Verkalk. She resigned after three years due to the pressure of the many interview requests.
- 1971
The queen has arrived
KLM receives its first Boeing 747. Several 'Queens of the Skies' will be part of the blue fleet for almost 5 decades.
- 1966
One way to Enschede
The NLM (later KLM Cityhopper) is founded. It was originally intended for domestic flights.
- 1960
At your destination in a flash
KLM introduced jet aircraft, drastically reducing travel times, flights no longer took days, but hours.
- 1958
From here to Tokyo
KLM opens a new route from Amsterdam to Tokyo, flying over the North Pole. Onboard are specially trained personnel with equipment.
- 1952
Iconic Delft Blue Houses
KLM starts gifting Business Class passengers Delft Blue houses with jenever, inspired by historic Dutch buildings.
- 1946
New York, New York!
KLM launches the Amsterdam-New York scheduled service. The first European airline to connect the European mainland to America.
- 1935
Welcome aboard!
The first cabin crew start work. Initially, these are only men ('stewards'), but soon afterwards the first stewardesses start.
- 1934
First prize in the air race
With the Douglas DC-2 ‘Uiver’, KLM takes 3 passengers and 191kilos of post to Australia in less than 4 days.
- 1930
Scheduled service to Batavia
Start of the Amsterdam-Batavia scheduled service. Until World War II, this was the longest air connection in the world.
- 1924
Animals in the air
We transport breeding bull Nico V. This was the first of the many animal transports we undertake.
- 1921
Schiphol by omnibus
KLM opened the first passenger office on Amsterdam's Leidseplein. From here, passengers could travel to Schiphol by omnibus.
- 1920
The first ever KLM flight
Jerry Shaw pilots the first ever KLM flight, from London to Amsterdam. On board: two journalists, a letter, and a pack of newspapers.
- 1919
KLM is born
The Koninklijke Luchtvaart Maatschappij voor Nederland en Koloniën (KLM) is founded. Albert Plesman takes the reins.
- 1919
Royal Blue
Queen Wilhelmina gives us the designation 'royal' - even before we were officially founded.
