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KLM Royal Dutch Airlines expects to receive the very first Airbus A350 this year when airframe MSN809 arrives in Summer 2026. The A350-900 recently moved to the final assembly housed in Toulouse, France.
The new Xtra Wide Body is the first of many to come as KLM is ramping up a €7 billion fleet renewal program, designed to replace its legacy A330 and Boeing 777-200ER twin-aisles. In addition to providing a smoother, more comfortable ride, the new jet will be packed with a host of new features for flyers like USB-C outlets, electronic window dimming, and more.
The Next Generation KLM Fleet
The combined fleet of KLM and Air France are on track to become the largest operator of the Airbus A350 in the world, according to Airways. KLM’s order book counts 22 A350-900s, but counting combined options with Air France, the possible total could reach up to 40 more units. KLM is also replacing the 747F freighter with A350F freighters, adding to its Airbus armada.
Including MSN809, KLM expects to receive at least three A350s this year. The airline also acquired 28 Boeing 787 Dreamliners for medium and long-haul routes. Similarly, on short hops, KLM now flies the Embraer E195-E2. New Airbus A321neo jets will be coming to join the fleet as well and help complete the full transformation of the fleet.
KLM’s first A350-900 is slated to replace an older A330 that serves between Toronto (YYZ), Canada, and Dar es Salaam (DAR), Tanzania. Bas Brouns, CFO of KLM, gave these remarks on the modernization program to Airways:
“We are in the midst of a huge transformation of our fleet… From regional and medium-haul to long-haul and cargo, every part of our fleet is evolving.”
The Xtra Wide Body Difference
KLM has designed its A350 cabin with a 331-seat four-class layout, focusing on ‘premiumization.’ The advanced carbon composite construction of the A350 will allow it to have a lower cabin pressurization level, quieter interior, and even a more spacious sidewall design with extra ‘Elbow Room.’ The jet has high-speed internet and large seat back displays for inflight entertainment and for a better view outside as well.
Completing major structural assembly, MSN809 had its carbon-fiber wings and landing gear installed before it headed to final assembly. Now the aircraft is waiting for the cabin to be built out for customers and a trip to the paint shop, where it will be adorned in the signature blue livery of KLM.
Compared to the Boeing 777-200ER it replaces, the A350 beats it on two important technical points. The A350 burns 25% less fuel and has a 40% smaller noise footprint, both of which future-proof operational problems for KLM as the cost of jet fuel soars and large hubs have increasingly stricter noise regulations. To prepare for its arrival, KLM has been training pilots using a dedicated A350-900 flight simulator that was introduced in the Netherlands in October 2025, according to Airways.
Air France-KLM Drops Most Airbus A350-1000 Orders For More Smaller -900s
The airline plans to convert eight of the A350-1000 orders into A350-900s.
The New Way To Fly On KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
Business class on the new KLM A350 fleet will be 34 seats in a 1-2-1 configuration. Every single business suite will have direct aisle access and a sliding privacy door. The beds will fold flat to a nearly 6.5-foot fully extended length for sleeping. The premium comfort cabin section will be separated from the economy comfort and larger economy class areas. This 26-seat section will have a 2-4-2 layout with more legroom, recline, and a superior menu to enhance the flying experience.
There will be 33 seats in the economy comfort rows at the front of the economy cabin. These seats will have four inches of extra legroom and twice as much recline as the standard economy seat. This area and the standard economy class will be in a 3-3-3 layout. Every seat will have a 4K UHD touch screen and USB-C power ports for personal devices.
