5 Fast Facts About The World’s Oldest National Carrier

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines isn’t just the Netherlands’ national airline; it’s actually the oldest airline still operating today, with a history that spans more than a century. Over the years, KLM has become a globally recognized brand in aviation, currently boasting a fleet of more than 150 aircraft. The airline flies to destinations across the globe (except Australia, surprisingly!), its rich history is filled with milestones and fascinating stories.

As a legacy airline, KLM has roots that go almost deeper than the modern aviation industry itself. Over the decades, it to evolve and stay on its toes, adapting to the constant changes in the airline world. To celebrate this century-long journey, here are five fun facts you should know about KLM — the world’s oldest airline.

1

KLM is the world’s oldest operating airline

Founded in 1919, KLM is renowned for being the oldest operating airline in the world

KLM, founded on October 7, 1919, holds the title of the world’s oldest airline still in operation. The airline’s first pilot, Jerry Shaw, flew its inaugural route from London to Amsterdam, marking the start of a long journey that would make aviation history. While KLM proudly claims the title of the oldest still flying, it’s worth noting that the very first airline to ever exist was DELAG, which started way back in 1909. However, DELAG didn’t fly planes — it operated Zeppelin airships, a very different mode of air travel at the time, as reported by Airships.net.

Photo: StudioPortoSabbia | Shutterstock

Today, KLM’s ability to continue operating through the decades — while countless other airlines have come and gone — really sets it apart in aviation history. It’s seen the rise and fall of airship travel, the birth of jet engines, and now, it’s at the forefront of modern commercial aviation.

KLM took to the skies on October 7, 1919, making it one of the earliest pioneers in commercial aviation. To put that in perspective, the Wright Brothers had only flown their groundbreaking aircraft a mere 16 years earlier, in 1903. Meanwhile, down in Australia, Qantas would come into existence just a year later, in November 1920. On the other side of the Atlantic, Delta Air Lines, which began in 1925, holds the title of America’s oldest operating airline.

Here are three interesting ‘firsts’ in the history of KLM as an airline:

• KLM’s maiden flight was a short hop across the English Channel, from London to Amsterdam, using a de Havilland DH-16.
• KLM was the first airline to use the Douglas DC-2 aircraft for regular service, setting new standards for commercial aviation during the 1930s.
• In more recent history, KLM was one of the first airlines to introduce a dedicated social media service team that operates 24/7. This team responds to customer inquiries in 10 different languages, ensuring seamless communication with passengers.

2

KLM had long flown Fokkers

KLM flew its last Fokker on 28 October 2017

On October 28, 2017, KLM bid farewell to an era when its last Fokker aircraft took to the skies. For nearly a century before that, KLM had a close relationship with the iconic Dutch manufacturer, flying various models, including the F27, F28, F50, F100, and F70. The final flight marked the end of 97 years of Fokker aircraft being part of KLM’s fleet, with the Fokker 70—Fokker’s last creation—bringing this chapter to a close.

Photo: KLM

Fokker, once a dominant force in aviation, was founded in 1912 and gained fame during World War I for its military aircraft, particularly those used by the German forces. After the war, it shifted focus to civil aviation and thrived during the 1920s and 1930s. However, as the 20th century progressed, Fokker’s fortunes declined, and the company ultimately went bankrupt in 1996. Despite this, KLM remained one of its most loyal customers, even flying more Fokker aircraft than any other airline by 2010, especially through its Cityhopper subsidiary.

Although KLM no longer operates Fokkers, the legacy of this iconic Dutch aircraft manufacturer lives on, with some Fokker 70s still flying for other airlines. The departure of the last Fokker from KLM’s fleet truly marked the end of an era, both for the airline and for Dutch aviation history.

3

KLM’s longest is nearly 71 times longer than its shortest route

The shortest KLM flight is 105 miles and the longest is 7,450 miles

KLM’s shortest flight barely stretches its (figurative) wings, covering just 105 miles between Amsterdam and Brussels, the bustling capital of Belgium. Operated through its regional arm, KLM Cityhopper, this quick hop is the airline’s briefest journey, with a flight time of around 40 to 45 minutes — just enough time to enjoy a coffee before you descend again. To contrast that — KLM also flies from Amsterdam to Buenos Aires, clocking in at around 7,260 miles, another one of its lengthy non-stop routes.

Photo: Thiago B Trevisan | Shutterstock

But that’s not KLM’s longest flight — the furthest-flung route takes passengers on an entirely different adventure, spanning an impressive 7,450 miles from Amsterdam all the way to Bali. This far-reaching route connects the Netherlands to the stunning Indonesian island, offering quite the contrast to that quick Brussels trip! It’s amazing to think that the same airline can operate flights as short as a commute and as long as a day’s worth of travel, showcasing just how wide-reaching KLM’s global network really is.

Speaking of the longest flights, here are the world’s top three longest routes:

4

KLM is the world’s top 26 airline

Skytrax ranked KLM #26 in 2024

This year, KLM was place 26th on the prestigious Skytrax World’s Top 100 Airlines list. While a noticeable drop from its 17th place finish in 2022 and 25th position in 2023, this is an achievement for the airline nonetheless. Skytrax, which relies on customer reviews to rank airlines worldwide, crowned Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines and Emirates as the top three.​

Photo: Arseniy Shemyakin | Shutterstock

KLM also made the cut in airlineratings.com’s Top 25 Airlines of 2024 rankings. This list, which emphasizes airline safety, innovation, and expert reviews, include the likes of Air New Zealand, Qatar Airways, and Etihad Airways. For KLM, it’s a testament to their consistency in maintaining high standards on various fronts​. Even though its rankings have fluctuated, being listed on both Skytrax and airlineratings.com demonstrates the airline’s ongoing ability to deliver quality service, innovation, and safety in the face of tough competition.

5

KLM merged with Air France

KLM has been a subsidiary of the Air France-KLM group since 2004

In 2004, a major milestone occurred in the airline industry when Air France and KLM joined forces to form the Air France-KLM group. The merger, finalized in September of that year, allowed both airlines to maintain their distinct identities, with KLM continuing to operate under its own brand. This partnership brought together two of Europe’s aviation giants, combining the operations of Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, Air France’s hub, with Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport, KLM’s base. Together, they became a dominant force in global aviation, both as members of the SkyTeam alliance.

Photo: Air France-KLM

At the time of the merger, the Air France-KLM group briefly claimed the title of the largest airline group in the world. While it has since been overtaken by other major players, such as Delta Air Lines and American Airlines, the merger was still a game-changer. By 2022, the group had flown about 83 million passengers—an impressive number, though still falling short of industry leaders like American Airlines, which flew nearly 200 million passengers in the same year. Even Ryanair, the low-cost European giant, surpassed Air France-KLM in passenger numbers.

Despite its current ranking, the Air France-KLM merger remains a significant example of how airlines can collaborate to expand their global reach while maintaining their own unique identities. The group continues to be a key player in international travel, balancing tradition with innovation.