"I’ve been looking forward to this with great anticipation. The arrival of the first A321neo marks the start of replacing our Boeing 737 fleet. The A321neo produces less noise and CO2 and therefore contributes significantly to a cleaner, quieter future. It also offers more comfort. I am looking forward to see how our passengers will experience the new aircraft." Marjan Rintel, President & CEO KLM.

New engine option
The “neo” stands for new engine option: the aircraft are equipped with new engines that emit less CO2 than their predecessors. Measured per passenger tonne kilometre, the A321neo is around 21% more fuel efficient than the Boeing 737 aircraft it replaces. Additionally, the aircraft reduces noise impact – essentially halving its noise footprint – causing far less disturbance to residents.

More comfort and convenience
Passengers on the A321neo experience more comfort thanks to wider seats, larger tables and more spacious luggage bins. Each seat is equipped with a USB-C port and a holder for a mobile or tablet. The aircraft also offers more convenience for the crew, including a wider aisle and easy-to-open luggage bins. The interior has been designed to enhance the KLM experience, with more recognisable details and mood lighting that adapts to each stage of the journey.

Butterfly names
The A321neo will start operating services to Copenhagen, Berlin and Stockholm from mid-September, followed by Paris, Prague and Vienna. KLM will be taking up three more new A321neo aircraft in its fleet this year. With this new aircraft series, KLM continues its tradition of giving aircraft unique names. Different themes have featured over the past 104 years, from names of members of the Royal Family to bridges, aviation pioneers and national parks. CEO Marjan Rintel: “This time, KLM employees were allowed to choose the theme. ‘Butterflies’ emerged as the winning theme, which ties in nicely with the transformation we’re embarking on with the new fleet. The names of the first four A321neo aircraft will be Swallowtail (Koninginnepage), Peach Blossom (Braamvlinder), Common Brimstone (Citroenvlinder) and Clouded Magpie (Porseleinvlinder).”

Fleet renewal
KLM will be investing seven billion euros in its fleet renewal programme over the next few years, which accounts for a substantial share of its total investment portfolio. On European routes, KLM will be replacing its older Boeing 737s with Airbus A320 and A321neo aircraft. At KLM Cityhopper, new E2 models will join the Embraer 175 and 190 aircraft. For intercontinental flights, KLM will be adding five new Boeing 787-10s, followed by the Airbus A350 replacing the older 777s and A330s. Finally, KLM has ordered four A350Fs for its cargo division to replace the 747 freighters.

Die Air France-KLM-Gruppe ist ein weltweit tätiges Unternehmen mit einer starken Basis in Europa, dessen Hauptgeschäftsfelder die Passagierbeförderung, die Frachtbeförderung und die Wartung von Luftfahrzeugen sind. Air France-KLM ist eine führende Airline-Gruppe im internationalen Verkehr ab Europa. Sie bietet ihrer Kundschaft Zugang zu einem weltweiten Streckennetz, das dank Air France, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines und Transavia mehr als 320 Destinationen abdeckt, hauptsächlich von ihren Basen in Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Paris-Orly und Amsterdam-Schiphol aus.

Flying Blue ist das Treueprogramm der Air France-KLM-Gruppe mit mehr als 24 Millionen Mitgliedern. Zusammen mit ihren Partnern Delta Air Lines und Virgin Atlantic betreibt Air France-KLM das grösste transatlantische Joint Venture mit mehr als 340 täglichen Flügen. Air France-KLM ist auch Mitglied von SkyTeam, der Allianz, die es sich zum Ziel gesetzt hat, den Fluggästen ein nahtloses Reiseerlebnis auf jeder Etappe ihrer Reise zu bieten. 19 Mitgliedsgesellschaften arbeiten in einem ausgedehnten globalen Netzwerk zusammen.

Die Air France-KLM-Gruppe ist seit 20 Jahren als Branchenführer im Bereich der nachhaltigen Entwicklung anerkannt und entschlossen, den Übergang zu einer nachhaltigeren Luftfahrt zu beschleunigen.