Today, Dutch flag carrier KLM operates its long-haul flights with twin-engine Boeing widebodies. Its intercontinental fleet consists of aircraft from the US manufacturer's 777 and 787 'Dreamliner' families. However, did you know that it also previously operated the Boeing 767? Let's take a look at the story of these aircraft during their time in KLM's sky-blue livery.

Three deliveries in the first year

According to ch-aviation, KLM flew a total of 12 Boeing 767-300ERs between 1995 and 2007. Of these, three examples joined the Dutch flag carrier during its first years of 767 operations. Its maiden aircraft from this widebody family was PH-BZA Blauwbrug / Blue Bridge. This aircraft arrived on July 28th, 1995, and left a decade later for Canada's Zoom Airlines.

The other two 767s to join KLM in 1995 were, in an alphabetically logical fashion, PH-BZB and PH-BZC. The former of these transferred to Italian carrier Neos in October 2005, and is now in storage. Meanwhile, the latter also left for Zoom in January 2006.

The rest of the 1990s arrivals

All but one of KLM's 767s joined the airline in the 1990s. This meant that, after the three 1995 arrivals, there were still eight more to come before the turn of the century. Of these, the majority came onboard in 1996, with five new arrivals during this year.

KLM Boeing 767
PH-BZG joined Aeroflot in 2006 after serving KLM for a decade. Photo: Aero Icarus via Flickr

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These five 767s joined KLM between March and October in 1996, and all served the airline for 10 years. Their departures in 2006 were spread across the year, ranging from March to December. After leaving, three flew for Ethiopian, Neos, and North American Airlines (one each).

The other two joined Aeroflot, whose 767s we recently examined. Of KLM's remaining three 1990s deliveries, two (PH-BZI and PH-BZK) came along in 1997. These aircraft's fates were similar, namely in that they both joined Kazakhstani flag carrier Air Astana in 2007.

The final Boeing 767-300ER to join KLM in the 1990s bore the registration PH-BZM, and the name Pont Garibaldi / Garibaldi Bridge. This aircraft served the Dutch flag carrier for a comparatively short time, departing in 2007 for Malev Hungarian Airlines.

KLM Boeing 767
KLM's 767s all had a two-class, 220-seat configuration. Photo: Simon Butler via Flickr

One final delivery in 2000

The last 767 to join the KLM fleet bore the registration PH-BZO, and arrived brand-new on February 1st, 2000. Its name during its spell at the Dutch flag carrier was Karmsund Bru / Karmsund Bridge. As with KLM's other 11 767-300ERs that had come before it, PH-BZO also featured two classes with 30 business seats and 190 in economy.

However, it has since undergone an interesting and significant interior redesign. It reportedly now has a luxurious VIP configuration of just 50 first class seats, and is operated by Ethiopian Airlines. However, it is currently in storage in Equatorial Guinea.

Did you ever fly on one of KLM's 12 Boeing 767s? If so, how did they compare to the Dutch flag carrier's present long-haul offering? Let us know your thoughts and experiences in the comments!