KLM takes delivery of first Airbus A350-900 for long-haul fleet

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has taken delivery of its first Airbus A350-900 in Toulouse, France, marking a significant step in the carrier’s long-haul fleet renewal program. The aircraft, named ‘The Night Watch’ after the Rembrandt painting, is intended to gradually replace older Boeing 777-200ERs and Airbus A330 models.

The new widebody features a three-class configuration seating 331 passengers, including 34 Business Class suites, 26 Premium Comfort seats, and 271 Economy seats. The aircraft utilizes Rolls-Royce engines and advanced aerodynamics to achieve a 25 percent reduction in fuel burn and carbon dioxide emissions compared to previous-generation aircraft.

KLM plans to operate the A350 from its hub at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, with initial long-haul routes expected to include Toronto. Subsequent destinations are slated to include Montreal, Kilimanjaro, Dar es Salaam, Nairobi, and Zanzibar. While the aircraft is expected to enter service in late October 2026, regulatory certification for the business-class seats has been a noted point of discussion regarding its inaugural passenger flights.