KLM has operated the first official flight featuring its new premium economy cabin.
The Dutch carrier confirmed the news on its social media accounts, posting the following message:
“Today [August 31] the first official flight featuring the new Premium Comfort Class took to the skies. Our new class caters to the requirements and wishes of business and leisure travellers alike.
“Premium Comfort Class is located in a separate area in the aircraft. The seats are wider, offering more legroom and they have more recline than in Economy Class. With an elaborate menu and SkyPriority boarding, our new class offers extra comfort to our passengers. Will we see you on board soon?”
The post did not include details of which route the seating appeared on, but French publication Gate 7 reports that a B787-10 with premium economy operated flight KL645 between Amsterdam and New York JFK.
KLM unveiled its premium economy seat (branded Premium Comfort) in May this year, and at the time said that North America would be the first region to see the new cabin.
The carrier plans to fit the seat to its B787-10, B787-9, B777-200 and B777-300ER aircraft, with between 21 and 28 seats in the cabin depending on the aircraft type.
According to this page on the KLM website the new seat offers:
- up to 17cm more legroom than a standard Economy Class seat
- Up to 20 cm recline
- Movable leg and footrests
- In-seat power
- A 13-inch IFE screen
KLM is one of the last major long-haul airlines to introduce a premium economy cabin – until recently this group also included the Gulf carriers of Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways, until Dubai-based Emirates launched premium economy seating in late 2020.
For our round-up of the premium economy seating offered by airlines worldwide, see:
