As KLM prepares to begin the switch from Boeing 737s to the Airbus A321neo family, a new variant of the KLM paintwork has been released.
According to the airline, the new livery – is both eye-catching and practical. The dark line separating KLM’s trademark blue and white swoops farther down, rendering the nosedome completely blue. This will ensure that, in the event of an emergency replacement, a new nosedome can be fitted without disrupting the signature blue markings. Another new feature is the black outline around the cockpit windows, making them look like sunglasses.
Routes and Network
It also appears that KLM has noted the first destination to be served with the Airbus A321neo – with Copenhagen, Berlin and Stockholm being the first to be served with the new Airbus short-haul aircraft.
Passenger Experience
The airline has noted some of the features onboard the aircraft, with them offering wider seats, larger tray tables and spacious luggage bins.
Each seat is equipped with a tablet holder and a USB port, and there is multi-coloured “mood lighting” that adjusts at every stage of the flight.
Crew members will also have more room for manoeuvre thanks to the wider aisle and easy-to-reach overhead bins. There is also additional blue detailing and special lighting at the entrance to ensure a warm welcome when boarding.
In Quotes
Marjan Rintel, CEO KLM said.
The arrival of the A321neo marks a major upgrade of our European fleet. It is 50% quieter and generates 15% fewer carbon emissions than the aircraft it is replacing, making this an important step towards cleaner, quieter and more fuel-efficient aviation.
Coming soon.
There’s not much time to wait, with KLM planning to deploy the type from August onwards. When fully deployed, there will be over 30 A321neo aircraft, supported by A320neo aircraft – filling out to 100 short-haul aircraft.
The move follows Transavia’s A320neo and A321neo joining the fleets, as Air France KLM Group continues to simplify their fleets, with a move away from the Boeing 737 family.
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Most livery changes leave me cold these days, but this is a very nice evolution! Well done, KLM!
Just out of curiosity, is “sunglasses” the term commonly used for that window paint over in Blighty? In the US and Canada, that’s frequently referred to as a “mask” or a “raccoon mask”, since it looks like everybody’s favorite trash pandas’ eyes. I’m hoping for the full flying raccoon experience this summer when the Florida heat gets to be too much and take Porter up to Canada.
I’ve always knowing it as a Racoon mask.
It must be some sort of Dutch thing 😉