October 7, 2026 — KLM’s first Airbus A350-900 will enter service with its 34 business class seats out of use, because the seats are not yet certified, German trade site airliners.de reports.
What happened
KLM took delivery of its first A350-900 on October 2. On October 6, airliners.de reported that the aircraft’s World Business Class seats have not completed certification and cannot be occupied at first. Premium Comfort and Economy are not affected.
According to the report, EASA has accepted the seat test results, which allows the formal certification process to begin. A KLM spokesperson said the third A350 is expected to arrive with fully certified seats. No date has been given for releasing the seats on the first aircraft (TBA).
| Cabin | Seats | Status at entry into service |
|---|---|---|
| World Business Class | 34 | Blocked until certified |
| Premium Comfort | 26 | Available |
| Economy | 271 | Available |
| Total | 331 | 297 usable |
The aircraft is named “The Night Watch”. KLM plans its first commercial A350 flight from Amsterdam to Toronto within weeks; the date is TBA. Montreal, Kilimanjaro, Dar es Salaam, Nairobi and Zanzibar follow in the winter 2026 season. A second A350 is due this year. Air France-KLM has 99 A350s on order across passenger and freighter versions.
What it means for non-revs
- No business class standby on the first KLM A350 flights. With all 34 seats blocked, there is nothing to clear into up front, whatever your priority.
- Premium Comfort and Economy will be tighter. Revenue business passengers on those flights have to be accommodated elsewhere, and 297 usable seats is fewer than the aircraft was planned to sell.
- Check the aircraft type before you list. On Amsterdam–Toronto and the other early A350 routes, a 777 or 787 rotation may be the better bet until the seats are cleared.
- ZED travellers listing for business class on KLM should confirm the cabin is on sale for that flight.
Sources
- airliners.de — KLM lässt A350 zunächst ohne Business Class abheben
- Air France-KLM — Air France-KLM welcomes KLM’s first Airbus A350 aircraft
- Airbus — KLM Royal Dutch Airlines takes delivery of its first Airbus A350-900
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