KLM's long-haul future touched down at Schiphol on Friday afternoon, 2 October. Airbus A350-900 PH-ZNA, named "De Nachtwacht" after Rembrandt's Night Watch, landed in Amsterdam after a delivery flight from Toulouse, the first of 22 A350s for the Dutch flag carrier.
It is the start of a long-awaited renewal for one of the world's oldest airlines, which has been flying some of its widebodies for well over two decades. The new jet enters commercial service on the Amsterdam to Toronto route on 30 October.
Datos rápidos
- Aeronave: Airbus A350-900, registration PH-ZNA, MSN 809
- Nombre: "De Nachtwacht" (The Night Watch)
- Entregado: 2 October 2026, ferried from Toulouse to Amsterdam
- Cabina: 331 seats: 34 World Business Class, 26 Premium Comfort, 271 Economy
- Primera ruta: Amsterdam to Toronto from 30 October 2026
- Orden: First of 22 A350-900s for KLM
- Sustituye a: Airbus A330-200/-300 and Boeing 777-200ER
Rembrandt on the nose
KLM has a long tradition of naming its aircraft, and for the A350 family it has turned to Dutch art. The first jet is "De Nachtwacht", and the second, PH-ZNB, will be "Het Meisje met de Parel", Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring.
The aircraft got the traditional water-cannon salute on arrival at Schiphol, which marked the moment with its own video.
What passengers get
The A350 carries 331 passengers in three classes. World Business Class has 34 suites, all with direct aisle access, alongside 26 seats in Premium Comfort and 271 in Economy, of which 33 are Economy Comfort, according to Aviacionline.
The A350-900 is powered by two Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines and built largely of composite materials, which is where the efficiency gains over the A330s and 777-200ERs it will replace come from.
Toronto first, then Africa
The A350 starts flying Amsterdam to Toronto, as flights KL691 and KL692, on 30 October, five times a week at first and daily from March 2027. Montreal follows on 30 November, and East African destinations including Kilimanjaro, Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar and Nairobi are planned for December and January.
Two more A350s are due to follow PH-ZNA, one later in 2026 and one in March 2027, before deliveries pick up. KLM's order is part of a larger Air France-KLM group commitment to the type. For a Dutch airline that has spent years flying older widebodies than many of its rivals, the Night Watch has arrived right on time.
Sources: Aviacionline, aviationnews.eu, aeroTELEGRAPH, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, KLM
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