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  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

KLM has officially unveiled the 'Premium Comfort Class,' its new premium economy cabin. Premium Comfort will launch in July 2022 on selected routes to North America, before being rolled out across the airline's entire fleet of Boeing 787 and Boeing 777 aircraft.

Offering passengers more space, comfort, and privacy, as well as enhanced service and catering options, Premium Comfort Class will bridge the gap between KLM’s economy and World Business class. The move will also bring KLM in line with its partners Air France, Delta Air Lines, and Virgin Atlantic, all of whom already boast a premium economy cabin.

Executive vice president of KLM Customer Experience, Boet Kreiken, stated,

“We have great expectations for this new Premium Comfort Class, based on extensive market research. The new class will meet the wishes of business passengers as well as leisure travelers, strengthening KLM’s standing as a global network carrier offering an appealing and varied range: World Business Class, Premium Comfort, and Economy Class.

It also reaffirms our partnership with Delta Air Lines, Air France, and Virgin Atlantic on North Atlantic routes, where we can now combine all products on all routes.”

A closer look at KLM’s new Premium Comfort Class

KLM's Premium Comfort Class seats have been designed in partnership with Collins Aerospace and will have a seat pitch of 38 inches and boast 8 inches of recline. Depending on the aircraft type, there will be between 21 and 28 seats in each Premium Comfort Class cabin. On the Boeing 787s, the cabin will feature a 2-3-2 configuration, while on the Boeing 777s, it will be 2-4-2.

In addition to more space, Premium Comfort Class passengers will benefit from enhanced entertainment with a 13.3-inch personal screen and noise-canceling headphones, priority check-in and boarding, extra luggage allowance, an amenity kit, and upgraded food and drink options.

On intercontinental services, passengers will be offered one or two hot meals, followed by coffee, tea, liqueur, and ice cream. A variety of snacks and cocktails will also be served in between meals.

In line with KLM’s sustainability goals, the catering materials used in Premium Comfort Class have been specially selected. The reusable cutlery, bowls, and plates are made of lightweight polypropylene. The seating itself is also lighter in weight, meaning less fuel burn.

Aircraft reconfiguration

The reconfiguration of the airline's Boeing 787 and Boeing 777 aircraft will be carried out in-house by specialist teams at KLM Engineering and Maintenance at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.

KLM currently has 15 Boeing 777-200s, 16 Boeing 777-300s, 13 Boeing 787-9s, and 5 Boeing 787-10s in its fleet. It also has 10 further Boeing 787-10s on order. Once complete, the seating configuration for each aircraft featuring the Premium Comfort Class cabin will be as follows:

Premium economy cabins have become increasingly popular with airlines. Last year, Emirates unveiled its first-ever premium economy cabin, and KLM’s partner, Air France, has offered a premium economy cabin for a number of years.

So it comes as no surprise that KLM is introducing a similar offering. Premium Comfort Class is bound to prove popular with travelers looking for extra comfort, without wanting to splash out on business class

Will you be booking to fly in KLM’s new Premium Comfort Class? Share your thoughts in the comments!

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