• KLM Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner PH-BHP (2)
    KLM
    IATA/ICAO Code:
    KL/KLM
    Airline Type:
    Full Service Carrier
    Hub(s):
    Amsterdam Schiphol Airport
    Year Founded:
    1919
    Alliance:
    SkyTeam
    Airline Group:
    Air France-KLM
    CEO:
    Marjan Rintel
    Country:
    Netherlands

Today, Austin FC announced that KLM (Royal Dutch Airlines) is now an official club partner. Austin FC is the Austin Football Club (or soccer for the American readers) and recently joined the MLS (Major League Soccer), the first division of professional football in the United States.

Austin FC and KLM are now partners

KLM, the flag carrier airline of the Netherlands, is the first official airline partner for the football club, Austin FC.

Speaking about the club's new partnership with the Dutch airline, club president Any Loughnane said,

“KLM is one of the most well-known and respected airlines worldwide, and with its recent expansion in Austin, now is the perfect time for a partnership between our two organizations. We look forward to working together to help further our soccer objectives as KLM supports Austin FC fans as they travel around the world.”

KLM recently launched service between Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) and Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS). Austin FC plans to take advantage of this new route this summer by flying its Austin FC Academy players to Europe for offseason competition.

Boaz Hulsman, head of commercial, Air France-KLM North America, added,

“We are thrilled to announce our partnership with Austin FC. As the first official airline partner of Austin FC, KLM looks forward to provide unmatched transatlantic connectivity and seamless travel direct from Austin to Amsterdam and beyond. With the great news we are extending service year-round, Austin FC will be able to easily travel to all their European games aboard KLM’s exemplary fleet. “

Lukas Souza 03-07-22 GRU -1084
KLM recently celebrated 100 years of operation. Photo: Lukas Souza | Simple Flying

Austin FC became the MLS' 27th club when it joined in January 2019. The Texas football club began competing in the MLS in 2021 and played its first home match on June 19. The club's brand-new stadium is named Q2 Stadium and is a $260 million state-of-the-art facility.

KLM will fly to Austin year-round

Back in March of this year, KLM established its presence in the growing Texas city of Austin, adding nonstop service from Amsterdam. Austin is the airline's twelfth destination in the United States, and no other airline competes in the market for this pairing.

At the launch of the route, KLM was flying to Austin three times per week. The AMS-AUS route was operated on Monday, Thursday, and Saturday. Due to strong demand, KLM announced today that it will be operating the route year-round. When the route was first announced in 2019, KLM planned to service the route on its Airbus A330-300 aircraft, but it is now serviced on the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.

KLM Boeing 777 landing at GRU
KLM (Royal Dutch Airlines) is the Netherlands' flag carrier. Photo: Lukas Souza | Simple Flying

The route was launched to connect Austin's booming tech industry and thriving culture to Amsterdam, another hub for the tech industry. There is a growing demand for Americans from Austin wanting to travel to Europe and Europeans to explore Austin.

KLM, founded in 1919, is the world's oldest airline that still operates under its original name. With the increasing demand for air travel, KLM will operate flights to 167 destinations worldwide, offering direct flights to major tourist and economic cities. Of the 167 destinations, 96 are European, and 71 are intercontinental.