Tag Archives: Boeing 747-206B

KLM operates the last Boeing 747 revenue flight after 49 years of service

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines today (March 29) operated the last Boeing 747 revenue flight.

The last revenue flight, flight KL686 from Mexico City to Amsterdam, was operated with 747-400 PH-BFT. The flight is due to arrive at AMS at 1537 (3:37 pm) CET local time today according to flightaware.com.

Above Copyright Photo: KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Boeing 747-206B PH-BUC (msn 19924) MEX (Christian Volpati). Image: 906730.

KLM introduced the first Boeing 747-200B in 1971. The first 747-200B (PH-BUA), named “The Mississippi”, was delivered on January 16, 1971. On February 14, 1971, the 353-seat PH-BUA operated its first commercial flight to New York. KLM was the first airline to put the higher-gross-weight Boeing 747-200B, powered by Pratt & Whitney JT9D engines, into service in February 1971.

Above Copyright Photo: KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Boeing 747-306 N4548M (PH-BUU) (msn 23056) ATH (Richard Vandervord). Image: 949049.

On October 16, 1975 the first Boeing 747-300B Combi joined the KLM fleet, marking an important milestone for KLM’s cargo operations. In the preceding years, overcapacity was a problem in the air cargo market and this new arrival ensured greater flexibility, improving KLM’s competitive edge.

The coronavirus crisis and slowdown in travel has allowed KLM to early retire the Boeing 747-400 fleet.

Martinair will continue to operate Boeing 747-400F freighters for KLM.

Above Photo: The Boeing 747 was the queen of the KLM long-haul fleet. This 1991 photo shows the 747s gathering at the AM hub (KLM).

Top Copyright Photo: KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Boeing 747-406 PH-BFT (msn 28459) (100 Years) AMS (Ton Jochems). Image: 949485.

KLM aircraft slide show:

KLM celebrates 70 years of flying to New York

https://airlinersgallery.smugmug.com/World-Airline-News/World-Airline-News-May-2016/i-sLZspw2/A

Copyright Photo: KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Boeing 747-206B PH-BUD (msn 20398) JFK (Jacques Guillem Collection). Image: 931335.

Exactly 70 years ago today. May 21, 2016, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines became the first European airline to initiate scheduled service between Amsterdam and New York.

On May 21, 1946, KLM operated its first flight with a Douglas DC-4 to what is now John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York (JFK). After the Second World War, KLM was the first European airline to initiate service between Europe and America.

To mark this auspicious occasion, passengers flying from Amsterdam to New York (KL641) will on May 21, 2016 will be served the recently introduced BOLS cocktail “The Flying Dutchman”. The cocktails will be shaken live on board by BOLS cocktail shakers.

Additionally, all passengers will receive the booklet “Boterballentijd”, specially written for KLM by Ronald Giphart. The book gives a fictional account of the inaugural flight.

New York

In 1946, KLM started with a daily flight to New York. In cooperation with our partner Delta Air Lines, KLM now operates four flights a day between Amsterdam and John F. Kennedy Airport. On this route, KLM and Delta Air Lines each operate two flights a day. In addition, Delta operates daily service between Amsterdam and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). Each year, KLM brings around 400,000 passengers to “New Amsterdam”, making it KLM’s top North-Atlantic destination. Together, KLM and Delta bring more than 750,000 passengers each year between Amsterdam and New York.