KLM will serve 164 destinations in 64 countries this winter, adding flights to holiday destinations, bringing Minneapolis back into its winter network and introducing its first Airbus A350.
The schedule runs from 25 October to 27 March and covers 93 European and 71 intercontinental destinations. Changes also include more Premium Comfort availability on selected long-haul routes and a new food and drink offering on European flights.
More Flights to the Americas and Caribbean
Minneapolis will return to KLM’s winter schedule for the first time since winter 2023, while San Diego will be served throughout the full winter season for the first time.
KLM will increase Panama City services to as many as ten flights a week during the peak period. São Paulo will receive nine weekly flights.
Curaçao will normally be served nine times a week, rising to ten in January and February. Frequencies will reach twelve weekly flights during the Christmas holidays and eleven during the spring holidays.
Within Europe, Rovaniemi and Kittilä will each gain one weekly flight. Florence and Basel will each receive an additional daily service.
Middle East and East Africa Plans Remain Conditional
KLM intends to resume flights to Dubai, Riyadh and Dammam at the start of the winter timetable, although the timing and schedule will depend on conditions in the Middle East.
The airline also plans to maintain its Amsterdam–Tel Aviv service through the winter, following its resumption on 25 August.
In East Africa, KLM is working towards restoring its Kigali and Entebbe route with four weekly flights. The return remains subject to the lifting of applicable travel and entry restrictions. According to the airline, Entebbe was temporarily removed from its network following restrictions introduced by several countries in response to an Ebola outbreak in Central Africa.
Toronto to Receive KLM’s First Airbus A350 Service
Toronto will be the destination for KLM’s first commercial Airbus A350 passenger flight. The airline plans twelve weekly flights to the Canadian city, five of them operated by the new aircraft.
As further A350s arrive later in the winter, KLM plans to deploy them on services to Montreal, Kilimanjaro, Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar and Nairobi.
The deliveries form part of the airline’s fleet renewal programme, alongside the continued retirement of its Airbus A330-200 aircraft. KLM says the A350 will reduce fuel consumption and noise compared with many aircraft in its current fleet.
More Premium Comfort Seats and New European Catering
Flights to Aruba, Bonaire, Riyadh, Dammam and Miami will be operated mainly by Boeing aircraft this winter as KLM phases out its A330 fleet. The changes will increase Premium Comfort availability on several intercontinental routes.
From October, Economy Class passengers on European services will have access to the new Grand Café KLM food and drink offering. Passengers will be able to pre-order meals or select items from an onboard menu.
Marjan Rintel, KLM’s President and CEO, said the winter programme combines a wider choice of flights with continued investment in onboard comfort, personal service and fleet renewal.
Aircraft and Timetable Changes to Address Night-Time Noise
KLM also plans operational adjustments aimed at reducing night-time noise disturbance. These include using newer-generation aircraft wherever possible and reducing landings between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m.
Passengers on some routes may consequently see changes to their scheduled departure time or aircraft type.
