KLM opts for larger Dreamliners
Airline KLM has ordered six larger Dreamliners from manufacturer Boeing. This instead of the six shorter 787-9 (see photo) that were originally ordered.
According to a spokesman, KLM has opted for this adjustment because it wants to use the Dreamliner on destinations where there is a need for more available seats. The 787-10 will be 6 meters longer than its smaller brother and can therefore accommodate more passengers.
According to Boeing, the longer Dreamliner is hardly inferior to the current generation in terms of fuel efficiency, and therefore leads to lower costs per passenger. On the other hand, the range of the device is somewhat smaller. At $306 million each, the average sales price is more than $40 million higher than the smaller version.
KLM has a total of 21 Dreamliner orders outstanding. The first two will be delivered in October and November, the third will follow in February 2016. The first extended version is expected in 2020, but that also depends on developments at Boeing. The aircraft manufacturer currently assumes that the 787-10 will be available from 2018.
Earlier this year, KLM decided to put the delivery of two Dreamliners on hold. The reason for this was the difficult financial situation of the airline and its loss-making parent company Air France-KLM. The French sister company Air France has also had to adjust its plans for fleet renewal.
I once flew in such an aircraft (Ethiopian Airlines) and I really liked it, the aircraft is equipped with many new gadgets. I'm just afraid KLM won't use them on the AMS-BKK route.
It is a kind of postponement from KLM, the reality is that they make a loss every year, the equity is already negative, debt of 4,5 billion, have a cash problem.
Delivery date 2018 of the device.
A nice quiet device. It will probably not come in the KLM colors on the Bangkok route. But who knows, KLM will review the routes and make adjustments. China Airlines will probably come to Amsterdam with the A350 next year, the rumors say. (source: aviation news) The A340-300 are going to the museum and China Airlines has bought a lot with the A350 and the 777 and they are already being delivered in large numbers.