KLM served up a flurry of new service enhancements and announcements, along with wine and gourmet food, at a recent unveiling ceremony for this year's Delft Blue House No. 107.
The Dutch airline celebrates its anniversary by adding a building of historical or cultural significance in the Netherlands to the carrier's iconic "KLM Delft Blue" houses collection.
The miniature porcelain houses are a tradition dating back to 1952, and one is given out to every World Business Class passenger at the end of their KLM intercontinental flight.
This year's ceremony was held on 07OCT in the town of Dreischor in Zeeland province, at a four-generation family farm run by the Van de Veldes. They used to produce Brussels sprouts and potatoes, but 25 years ago they switched to producing white wine. Smart move.
The family’s De Kleine Schorre winery was selected as House No. 107. Before attending this lavish ceremony and talking with frequent travellers on the flight over from Toronto to Amsterdam, it's obvious how passionate people are in collecting these porcelain houses that are filled with Netherlands-produced Bols Genever gin.
It only makes sense – KLM is the world’s oldest airline operating under its original name, dating back to 1919, and Bols is reputed to be the oldest distiller, dating back to 1575.
Open Jaw was the only Canadian outlet in attendance at this year's ceremony, amongst journalists from the US, China, India, the United Kingdom, Germany and the Netherlands.
New A350 Aircraft for KLM’s Toronto service
Toronto will be the first destination for KLM’s new Airbus A350 service, beginning 30OCT. There will be 12 flights a week, five with the A350. Montreal will follow when other A350s are delivered. The new series of A350 aircraft will begin replacing KLM’s intercontinental fleet.
The name of the first A350 aircraft will be “The Night Watch,” Rembrandt van Rijn’s most well-known work.
“With the arrival of the A350, we’re taking the next step in renewing our intercontinental fleet," said KLM CEO Marjan Rintel. "That means more comfort for our passengers, while also reducing our impact on our surroundings.”
The aircraft’s noise footprint is about 40% lower, with 25% less fuel consumption than previous-generation aircraft, quieter cabins, and an overall improved onboard environment.
Free Wi-Fi, New Grand Café Service, and Tableware Being Launched
Rintel also announced that, starting in mid-2027, KLM will make high-speed Wi-Fi available free of charge on intercontinental flights, with the goal of providing it across the entire fleet by mid-2028. Currently, they offer free Wi-Fi only on their European flights.
Frédérique Pelger, KLM Netherlands’ managing director, added that they will introduce Grand Café KLM on their European flights at the end of October, which they call an enhanced onboard service that will respond to passengers' varying needs.
Open Jaw had an engaging conversation with Executive VP Inflight Services Bas Gerressen, who is spearheading KLM’s new tableware and amenity kits for World Class Passengers in March 2027 across the entire fleet.
Asked how long it takes to make a change like new tableware, Gerressen said it takes about two years, as there are many steps in the process.
The airline must look at the design, per-piece cost, how the tableware stacks, how easy it is to serve and clean up after service, how breakable it is, how adaptable to different cabin storage on aircraft, the transfer on catering trucks, and more.
He also joked about the preferences of North Americans, who prefer larger coffee or teacups (KLM's tend toward the smaller, pinkies-up handle size). Each market, said Gerressen, has its own priorities.
At the press conference, Rintel was asked about recent developments between Canada and the European Union, including efforts to forge closer ties and for Canada to possibly be granted “Associate Member” status, and whether KLM would consider additional services.
“The network is built around the market and if the market is growing and requesting it because of maybe a future stronger relationship then of course, we will adapt," said Rintel.
With Ben Smith as the CEO of parent company Air France-KLM and having previously served as President and CEO of Air Canada, a nudge to expand service to Canada would not be out of the question.
One immediate challenge for KLM that Rintel addressed in her speech was the exorbitant fee increases at Schiphol airport.
She cited an annual study benchmarking airport charges, which she said confirmed that in 2025 the price level at Schiphol rose 30.6%.
Rintel indicated that it was the largest increase among all competing airports, and since 2019, the increase has jumped 193%, making Schiphol the second-most expensive airport in continental Europe.
Despite this, Rintel believes that with all the enhancements to its service and the renewal of its fleet, it will remain well-positioned for market growth.
This winter, from 25OCT through 27MAR, 2027, KLM will fly to 164 destinations in 64 countries.
