• 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

On August 31st, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines received its 6th Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner. While being the 6th delivery of this 787 variant is hardly newsworthy, the fact that it was the first Dreamliner delivered to KLM in over two years is rather notable. Indeed, prior to this new aircraft touching down, KLM latest 787-10 had arrived in February 2020. Let's take a look at the details of the new jet in this article.

klm 787 aircraft
Most of KLM's 787-10s came during its 100th anniversary year. Photo: KLM

Delivery flight and aircraft details

According to BOE Family Flights, KLM's latest Dreamliner is registered PH-BKH, with Boeing MSN 42489 and Line Number 1008. According to FlightRadar24.com, the aircraft took off from Charleston, South Carolina on August 31st at 18:41 local time and made the transatlantic journey to Amsterdam in about seven and a half hours. An overnight flight, the aircraft touched down at Amsterdam Schiphol at 08:12 local time.

All in all, PH-BKH had taken seven flights prior to its delivery, with a total test flight time of 17 hours and 15 minutes. The jet's very first flight took place on May 22nd, 2020, with its fifth flight being the last before a long break on the ground. From October 2020 to August 2022, the jet remained on the ground in Charleston.

flight path
The delivery flight from Charleston to Amsterdam. Photo: FlightRadar24.com

The long pause

The two-year-long pause on KLM Dreamliner deliveries accurately reflects the issues Boeing has had with the FAA, which forced the US planemaker to halt all 787 deliveries until production issues could be worked out. There was a very brief resumption in 2021, but this would be short-lived. Working hard with the US regulator to meet required standards, it wasn't until August 10th, 2022 that Boeing could send new 787 aircraft to customers. The first post-pause delivery went to American Airlines, which received its first Boeing 787-8 aircraft since April 2021.

For KLM, the Dutch airline hadn't received a 787 since February 2020. The carrier had been taking 787-10s every few months prior, receiving three in Fall 2019. The airline's very first Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner came in June 2019 and was given the nickname "Oranjebloesem" (Orange Blossom) and registered PH-BKA.

boeing 787-10 with ground escort
The airline's first Dreamliner arrived over three years ago. Photo: KLM

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There should have been more by now...

It goes without saying that the airline should have many more 787-10s by now. Indeed, according to an old statement found on its website, KLM states that the airline planned to have 15 Boeing 787-10s in its fleet by 2022.

Hopefully, it won't take too long for Boeing to clear its backlog of deliveries. When it comes to KLM, there are three to four 787-10s built but not yet delivered. These aircraft have the following registration and serial numbers/line numbers:

  • PH-BKI (MSN 42496/1016)
  • PH-BKK (MSN 42500/1074)
  • PH-BKL (MSN 42501/1130)
  • PH-BKM is marked as a leased aircraft by Planespotters.net with MSN information unavailable.

PH-BKI was ferried out of storage last week while BKL had its 4th and most recent test flight yesterday. This activity indicates that the KLM fleet could certainly grow by another two aircraft in the next few weeks.

Are you excited about Boeing resuming deliveries to KLM? Let us know by leaving a comment!

Sources: BOE Family Flights, Planespotters.net, FlightRadar24.com