DALLAS — Today marks a significant moment for KLM (KL) as the airline's first official flight of the Airbus A321neo takes off.

The commercial debut of the A321neo, flight KL1267, connects Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS) with Copenhagen Airport, Kastrup (CPH). The aircraft will also serve routes to Berlin, and Stockholm, with Paris, Prague, and Vienna to be added later this year. 

Introducing the A321neo is crucial to KL's large-scale fleet renewal strategy. It promotes cleaner, quieter, and more fuel-efficient air travel. The carrier plans to expand its fleet with three additional A321neo aircraft by the end of the year, replacing its aging Boeing 737s.

KLM’s First A321neo

At the end of August, the Dutch flag carrier welcomed its first-ever A321neo as part of a fleet renewal process that started in December 2023 with the delivery of the first aircraft to Transavia (HV).

The airframe, registered as PH-AXA, is the 11,895th Airbus A320 family plane ever built and the first of a large order from the Air France-KLM Group for up to 160 units. 

The total number to be delivered to KL is complicated to predict, as the parent company will distribute this brand-new fleet among its subsidiaries, such as Transavia France (TO) and Holland (HV).