KLM has announced an order for more Boeing 777 aircraft. The Dutch flag carrier has two more Boeing 777-300ER aircraft joining its ranks. The aircraft will complement the carrier’s growing 787 fleet.

At Simple Flying, we love an aircraft order. While not a huge order, we couldn’t miss the opportunity to report on KLM’s newly announced 777 order. The carrier already operates 29 Boeing 777 aircraft, according to Planespotters.

The order comes at a time when the airline is in the process of retiring its Boeing 747s. Apart from the Airbus A330, KLM only operates Boeing aircraft. Earlier in the year, it swapped its Airbus A350 order with sister airline Air France for more Boeing 787s.

Why order the Boeing 777-300?

KLM has placed an order for two Boeing 777 aircraft, specifically the -300ER variant. The aircraft order attracted a list price of $751 million, which works out as $375.5 million per aircraft. The order is not new according to Boeing, rather it has previously been attributed to an unidentified customer.

You may be wondering why the Boeing 777-300 was purchased as opposed to the new Boeing 777X being constructed. This could likely be due to one of two reasons. Firstly, We don't know when this order was originally placed, as it was an unidentified order until now. When KLM initially placed its Boeing 777 order, the 777X may not have been an option.

KLM, Boeing 777-300, Boeing Order
The order has a current list price of $751 million. Photo: Boeing

Additionally, KLM is only ordering two of the aircraft. As such, it makes sense for the carrier to continue its existing usage of the Boeing 777, rather than introducing a new variant which would require new parts and new training.

KLM's existing 777 fleet

The newly announced order will join KLM's existing Boeing 777 fleet of 29 aircraft. According to Planespotters, this consists of 15 Boeing 777-200s and 14 Boeing 777-300s. While the Boeing 777-200s have an average age of 14.6 years, the -300s have an average age of 6.7 years. As a result, the overall average 777 age is 10.8 years.

Two of KLM's existing Boeing 777 aircraft are painted in special liveries. Both of these aircraft are 777-300ER aircraft. The first PH-BVA is painted in a special half Dutch orange livery named "Orange Pride". This is accompanied by a second aircraft, PH-BVD, which wears the SkyTeam logo across its livery.

KLM, Boeing 777-300, Boeing Order
One of KLM's existing Boeing 777-300ER's wears a special half orange livery. Photo: KLM

Ihssane Mounir, SVP of Commercial Sales & Marketing at Boeing said of the order,

"KLM's continuing interest in the 777-300ERs shows the enduring appeal and value of the 777, thanks to its outstanding operating economics, superior performance and popularity among passengers."

What do you think of KLM's additional Boeing 777-300 order? Let us know in the comments!