Air France-KLM to place large A350-order

On 25 September 2023, Air France-KLM announced it has the intention to place a large order for the Airbus A350. In total, the Group is set to order 50 A350s and will also secure purchase options for 40 additional A350s. Deliveries are set to start in 2026 and will be completed in 2030.

Air France-KLM has said the exact type (-900 or -1000) and number per airline will be decided closer to the production slot time. However, the Group has said that it will use these new widebodies to replace eighteen Boeing B777-200ERs at Air France, fifteen B777-200ERs at KLM, fifteen A330-200s at Air France, six A330-200s, and five A330-300s at KLM.

Air France-KLM already held orders for 41 A350-900s for Air France (22 have so far been delivered), as well as eight A350Fs (four for Air France, four for Martinair). With this latest order for 50 additional A350s, Air France-KLM is set to become the largest operator of the type.

Illustration by Air France-KLM.