19 March 2013 - KLM Royal Dutch Airlines today presented its new World Business Class (WBC) cabin interior, featuring the new full-flat seat. KLM aims to accentuate the at-home feeling for Business Class customers and that calls for a new cabin interior. In this way, KLM is responding to its customers’ needs and wishes.
“I am convinced that this contemporary design will be greatly appreciated by our most valued customers and live up to their needs and wishes. Even in times of financial difficulty, KLM continues to invest in customer comfort. I am proud of this superb and unique result: an entire World Business Class cabin created by a leading Dutch designer. In this way, we aim to give our passengers that warm at-home feeling.” Peter Hartman, President & CEO of KLM
“It is truly remarkable that KLM is open to this kind of approach for its interior. Aircraft interiors have to meet an unbelievable range of technical requirements. We achieved this by simplifying the new seat, changing its color and upholstering it with high-quality textile.” Hella Jongerius, leading Dutch designer
Cabin Interior
KLM has teamed up with Dutch top designer Hella Jongerius to introduce a brand-new atmosphere, furnishings and style in World Business Class. The guiding principle is the customer’s comfort and privacy. In addition to the new full-flat seats, the interior features new carpeting, panel decorations, curtains, lighting, blankets, cushions and upholstery. KLM’s fleet of 22 Boeing 747-400s will be the first to be redecorated. In so doing, KLM will be changing all of WBC in the height of Dutch design, thereby combining its Dutch roots with international allure.
Full-Flat Seat
The new full-flat seat offers customer optimum comfort. It can be reclined horizontally so the passenger can lie fully flat. The seat position in the cabin and the partition between television screens ensure greater privacy for passengers. There are also storage compartments in the seats beside the passengers and under the television screens. The number of seats in World Business Class will be reduced from 42 to 35 aboard the Boeing 747-400. KLM has chosen the Diamond Seat manufactured by B/E Aerospace.
Design Concept
The guiding principle of new design is to ensure that passengers feel at home on board. That involves a transition from a business-like look to a greater sense of being at home. This has been achieved by using a characteristically warm color palette, more sustainable materials, and by enhancing personal comfort. The design is timeless, recognizable and unified by the decorative dot patterns that feature on every item.
KLM Blue
Naturally, the new interior features the fresh and recognizable KLM blue. To ensure the sense of comfort on board, Hella Jongerius has blended warmer and darker colors into the existing color range making the KLM blue sparkle even more.
Innovative and Sustainable
Sustainability is another point of focus for KLM in all new developments. The new design therefore had to be innovative as well as sustainable. In meeting this requirement, Hella Jongerius sought new solutions within the existing options available to the airline industry. The carpeting, for instance, was manufactured partly of discarded KLM ladies’ uniforms. KLM recycles all of its discarded carpets in collaboration with carpet manufacturer Desso based on the cradle-to-cradle principle. This is in line with the CSR policy KLM has pursued for years.
July 2013 will see the inaugural flight of the first KLM aircraft with the new interior including the new seat. KLM’s Boeing 747-400 fleet, consisting of 22 aircraft, will be redecorated first. It is expected that the entire 747-fleet will be redecorated by April 2014. Work on KLM’s 15 Boeing 777-200s is planned for the summer of 2014.
About KLM
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines was founded in 1919, making it the world’s oldest airline still operating under its original name. In 2004, Air France and KLM merged to form AIR FRANCE KLM. The merger produced the strongest European airline group based on two powerful brands and hubs – Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and Paris Charles de Gaulle. Retaining its own identity, the group focuses on three core businesses: passenger transport, cargo and aircraft maintenance.
In the Netherlands, KLM comprises the core of the KLM Group, which further includes KLM Cityhopper, transavia.com and Martinair. KLM serves all its destinations using a modern fleet and employs over 33,000 people around the world. KLM is a leader in the airline industry, offering reliable operations and customer-oriented products resulting from its policy of enthusiasm and sustainable innovation.
KLM is a member of the global SkyTeam airline alliance, offering customers an extensive worldwide network. The KLM network connects the Netherlands to every important economic region in the world and, as such, serves as a powerful driver for the economy.
About SkyTeam
SkyTeam is a global airline alliance providing customers from member airlines access to an extensive worldwide network offering more destinations, more frequencies and more connectivity. Passengers can earn and redeem Frequent Flyer Miles throughout the SkyTeam network. SkyTeam member airlines offer customers access to over 490 lounges worldwide.
