Amsterdam-based airline KLM is known the world over, amongst other things, for its iconic blue livery. With its fleet of 100+ aircraft, the Dutch flag carrier flies to cities around the world, serving millions of passengers each year. Looking at data from ch-aviation.com, let's examine the oldest active aircraft in KLM's mainline fleet.

Boeing narrowbodies

All in all, the average age of KLM's fleet is currently 12 years old, putting it between fellow European flag carriers and SkyTeam members Air France (14.7 years) and ITA Airways (nine years). However, some of its aircraft are twice as old as this mean figure, with the most senior being PH-BXA. This 24.58-year-old Boeing 737-800 had racked up 57,822 hours across 38,346 cycles as of May this year.

As it happens, all of KLM's 13 oldest active mainline aircraft are Boeing 737-800s, ranging from 24.36 (PH-BXB) to 22.73 years old (PH-BXN). The Dutch flag carrier's total contingent of 737-800s comprises 31 jets, with a mean age of 16.7. Historically speaking, the airline has also operated three more examples.

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KLM Boeing 737-800
Photo: KLM

KLM's next oldest aircraft are also Boeing narrowbodies, and come in the form of four 737-900s. These aircraft's ages range from 22.23 (PH-BXO) to 21.88 years old (PH-BXS). KLM's present fleet features five examples of the Boeing 737-900, with the last (PH-BXT) being somewhat newer, clocking in at 'only' 19.32 years old.

Boeing widebodies

Moving into the widebody part of KLM's mainline fleet, the Dutch flag carrier's next oldest aircraft are seven of its Boeing 777-200ER twinjets. These range from 19.94 (PH-BQA) to 19.36 years old (PH-BQG), and all of them had clocked up close to 100,000 flight hours at the time they were last measured, back in May 2023.

Moving down the list, the aforementioned PH-BXT separates these seven widebodies from another three examples of the Boeing 777-200ER. These aircraft, which are also all closing in on the 100,000-hour mark, are registered as PH-BQH, PH-BQI, and PH-BQK, and are 18.89, 18.74, and 18.62 years old respectively.

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KLM Boeing 777 In Amsterdam
Photo: Renatas Repcinskas/Shutterstock

KLM's Boeing 777-200ERs represent a rather old subfleet as a whole, with their average age of 18.6 years being more than one-and-a-half times higher than the fleet-wide mean of 12 years old. Despite this, all 15 are listed as being active.

Airbus widebodies

While Airbus jets are a rarer sight at KLM, the Dutch flag carrier does fly several examples of both the A330-200 and A330-300 models. The former of these aircraft types is considerably older in terms of its average age, with a mean figure of 17.5 years old. In comparison, KLM's Airbus A330-300s are just 10.5 years old on average.

The airline's oldest three active Airbus A330-200s bear the registrations PH-AOB, PH-AOA, and PH-AOC, with their respective ages clocking in at 18.09, 18.06, and 17.82 years old. While not quite as well used as the Dutch flag carrier's aging Boeing 777-200ERs, these aircraft were all close to 75,000 hours when last measured.

Have you ever flown with KLM? If so, what is the oldest of the Dutch flag carrier's planes that you have flown on? Let us know your thoughts and experiences in the comments!

Source: ch-aviation.com

  • 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