With Jet Airways suspending operations, a huge void has been created, especially in the international sector. KLM and Air France operated additional flights to India to help stranded passengers in April 2019. British Airways, in the meanwhile, will start a new 4x weekly flight between Mumbai and London from June 2, 2019.
In early April 2019, we confirmed that KLM will deploy its Boeing 787-10 on Mumbai and Delhi routes from March 29, 2020. The 787-10 is interesting because KLM has just 8 of these on order. The 787-10 will feature a new business class seat onboard, Jamco’s Venture seat. It is reverse herringbone just like the Cirrus seat on KLM’s 787-9 but a slightly modified version specifically built for the 787.
KLM Zodiac Cirrus business class seat
It now looks like KLM is advancing the debut of the Boeing 787-10 on Indian routes as well as increasing capacity from Amsterdam to Mumbai and Delhi.
Delhi – Amsterdam
Currently, KLM operates a daily Boeing 787-9 service between Delhi and Amsterdam. However, from September 2 to September 29, 2019, KLM will operate a 777-200ER on 4 out of the 7 weekly frequencies.
From September 30 to October 26, 2019, KLM will operate the Boeing 787-10 on 3 out of 7 weekly frequencies.
KL871 AMS1425 – 0145(+1 day)DEL 789 x135
KL872 DEL0335 – 0825AMS 789 x246
KL871 AMS1425 – 0145(+1 day)DEL 781 135
KL872 DEL0335 – 0825AMS 781 246
In the winter 2019 season from October 27, 2019, KLM will have the following schedule,
KL871 AMS1235 – 0105(+1 day)DEL 772 126
KL872 DEL0320 – 0740AMS 772 237
KL871 AMS1235 – 0105(+1 day)DEL 77W x126
KL872 DEL0320 – 0740AMS 77W x237
B/E Aerospace Diamond business class seat on KLM 777
In the summer 2020 season from March 29, 2020, KLM will operate 5 of 7 weekly frequencies with the 787-10.
KL871 AMS1425 – 0145(+1 day)DEL 789 57
KL872 DEL0335 – 0825AMS 789 16
KL871 AMS1425 – 0145(+1 day)DEL 781 x57
KL872 DEL0335 – 0825AMS 781 x16
Mumbai – Amsterdam
KLM is increasing the frequency on Mumbai – Amsterdam route from the current 3x weekly to 5x weekly in a phased manner.
From September 6, 2019, a fourth weekly rotation will be added with a 787-9.
KL877 AMS1425 – 0215(+1day)BOM 789 x236
KL878 BOM0400 – 0940AMS 789 x347
From September 23, 2019, a fifth weekly rotation will be added.
KL877 AMS1425 – 0215(+1day)BOM 789 x26
KL878 BOM0400 – 0940AMS 789 x37
From September 29 to October 21, 2019, KLM will operate a 787-10 on Mumbai – Amsterdam route only on Sunday departure from Amsterdam (Monday departure from Mumbai) instead of a 787-9.
In the winter 2019 season from October 27, 2019, KLM will have the following schedule,
KL877 AMS1310 – 0210+1BOM 789 x37
KL878 BOM0405 – 0840AMS 789 x14
Venture seats by Jamco on KLM 787-10
In the summer 2020 season from March 29, 2019, KLM will again operate only 3x weekly flights but with a 787-10. This may change though.
KL877 AMS1425 – 0215(+1 day)BOM 781 157
KL878 BOM0405 – 0940AMS 781 126
KLM deploying 777-200ER, 777-300ER and 787-10 on various frequencies represents an increase in capacity on the routes.
| Aircraft | Business Class seats | Economy Comfort seats | Economy Class seats | Total seats | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 787-9 | 30 | 48 | 216 | 294 | Direct aisle access reverse herringbone Cirrus business class seats |
| 787-10 | 38 | 36 | 270 | 344 | Direct aisle access reverse herringbone Venture business class seats |
| 777-200ER | 34 | 40 | 242 | 316 | Forward facing B/E Aerospace Diamond seats |
| 777-300ER | 34 | 40 | 334 | 408 | Forward facing B/E Aerospace Diamond seats |
While there is a difference in business class hard product, economy class seats are hardly any different with the 3-3-3 on the 787 or the 3-4-3 on the 777, both having a seat width of 17.5″.
Bottomline
Amsterdam continues to be a big transit point for those who are affiliated to SkyTeam, or who like to use a European airport, and is a big hub for travel between India and North America. So, Jet Airways going under has caused a huge inconvenience in the traffic flow for Delta/KLM/Air France. This is a good attempt to get some of that traffic back, but hope KLM can consider a daily departure out of Mumbai as well.
Code for 777-300ER is actually 77W
777-300ER is different from the original 777-300 whose code is actually 773.
Next year’s schedule, as you note, is certainly subject to change (or increase) esp for BOM. We can also speculate if BLR is under consideration. BLR-AMS is smaller than DEL/BOM but with solid corporate traffic.
The above emphasis on TATL connections is somewhat misplaced. Even Air France-KLM’s own statements indicate that their passenger mix is on a 50/50 basis Europe vs America ex India. See their press release from late Nov 2017. And, there must be a tiny but high-yielding segment for India-LatAm as well considering AF-KL strength there.
Big picture, the nonstops to America are gradually increasing over time as corporate traffic grows (even Delta has joined the club!), and they are accordingly becoming the preferred option. At the same time, corporate travel to Europe, even the Netherlands, is growing ex India.
@Rony, I know Bangaloreans want a connection after the one from Jet stopped, but it is just that, speculation at the moment. As for emphasis on TATL, it is a different story when you are on that plane, and see every second person transferring onto a different flight. Like you said 50/50, so that is a large number in itself.