Summary
- KLM has unveiled that its first Airbus A321neo will be known as ‘Swallowtail.’
- The airline’s employees chose the theme of the A321neo fleet, which will be named after butterflies.
- The delivery of KLM’s first Airbus A321neo should ocurr in August 2024.
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, part of the Air France-KLM Group, has unveiled the names of its first four Airbus A321neo aircraft, which includes its first-ever A321neo. The delivery of the aircraft could come as soon as August 2024.
Swallowtail and other A321neos
According to a statement by the airline, its first-ever A321neo will be known as ‘Swallowtail.’ KLM said that it has continued its tradition of giving unique names to its aircraft, with various themes being chosen over the past 104 years of the airline’s existence.
Photo: KLM
The themes that it has chosen for its aircraft have ranged from the names of the members of the Dutch Royal Family to bridges, aviation pioneers, and national parks. KLM’s employees chose the latest theme, butterflies. As a result, in addition to ‘Swallowtail,’ the airline’s other A321neos will be known as ‘Peach Blossom,’ ‘Common Brimstone,’ and ‘Waved Carpet.’
Ch-aviation data showed that ‘Swallowtail,’ which is an Airbus A321neo, registered as PH-AXA, should be delivered to the airline in August 2024. The aircraft has not had its first flight yet, with the airline leasing the narrowbody jet from CDB Aviation, an aircraft lessor.
The aircraft will be powered by two CFM International LEAP-1A engines, which are one of the two choices for the A320neo aircraft family. The other, Pratt & Whitney PW1100G, also known as the Geared Turbofan (GTF), has been severely affected by a manufacturing defect that has required accelerated removals and inspections. Another member of the GTF aircraft engine family, the PW1900G, also powers KLM’s other aircraft, namely its Embraer E195-E2s.
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New livery for the A321neo
Nevertheless, KLM unveiled an updated livery for its A321neo aircraft in February. At the time, the airline said that the aircraft of the type would have a dark line that separated its trademark blue and white paint scheme, with white swooping further down the aircraft, resulting in a completely blue nose of the A321neo.
“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 standout feature is the black outline around the cockpit windows, making them look like sunglasses.”
Photo: KLM
In addition, the statement read that KLM has been preparing for the introduction of the A321neo, with the airline expecting the first delivery to happen in August. KLM revealed that the initial destinations will be Copenhagen Airport (CPH), Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER), and Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN).
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The new paint scheme will feature a redesigned nose and a sunglasses effect around the cockpit windows.
Spotted at XFW
However, while the airline has not officially unveiled the new livery except for renderings, its first Airbus A321neo has already been spotted at Hamburg-Finkenwerder Airport (XFW), where Airbus has an A320neo family aircraft final assembly line (FAL).
Pictures shared on X, formerly known as Twitter, showed the aircraft with KLM’s new livery and the test registration, D-AXXQ. The A321neo was still not equipped with its CFM International LEAP-1A engines and was being towed through the German airport by a tug.
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