"Night Watch", KLM's first A350. Photo: KLM Royal Dutch Airlines KLM is approaching the upcoming winter season with a lot of confidence and a lot of blue in the sky.
The Dutch airline has published its operating plan for winter 2026/27, presenting an impressive network of 164 destinations in 64 countries, along with increasing capacity on popular routes, expanding passenger options, upgrading service, and continuing the fleet renewal process.
KLM's winter season will begin on October 25 and run until March 27. The company plans to operate 93 destinations in Europe and 71 intercontinental destinations.
Among the notable changes, Minneapolis returns to the winter schedule for the first time since winter 2023, while San Diego will operate throughout the entire winter season for the first time.
KLM is also increasing operations to Panama City to up to ten weekly flights during peak periods, to Sao Paulo to up to nine weekly flights and expanding capacity to Curacao.
Within Europe, capacity will also be added to winter destinations and city breaks, including Rovaniemi and Kittila in Finland, Florence and Basel.
One of KLM's most significant moves this coming winter will be the entry into commercial operation of the company's first Airbus A350, as part of a broad fleet renewal program.
The new aircraft's first commercial passenger flight is scheduled to Toronto. Later this winter, as additional A350s join the fleet, they are expected to operate to Montreal, Kilimanjaro, Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar and Nairobi.
At the same time, KLM will continue to remove Airbus A330-200 aircraft from the fleet and expand the use of new generation aircraft.
The move is part of a multi-billion euro fleet renewal program, in which KLM is also integrating Airbus A321neo and Embraer 195-E2 aircraft, alongside Boeing 787 aircraft.
The change is not limited to planes and destinations. Starting in October, KLM will expand food and beverage options for Economy Class passengers on European flights through the Grand Café KLM.
Passengers will be able to pre-order a meal and, at the same time, choose items from a menu during the flight, as part of the company's attempt to offer a more flexible and personal service.
Marjan Rintel, President and CEO of KLM, explains that the company seeks to offer passengers a wider choice of flights, alongside investment in personal service, comfort and fleet renewal.
With 164 destinations, a new A350 aircraft, route expansion and renewed investment in the passenger experience, KLM enters the coming winter with a clear ambition: to continue to grow, innovate and expand the choice for passengers.