KLM took delivery its first 787-9 Dreamliner today.

The Dutch airline will operate the aircraft on its Amsterdam-Abu Dhabi-Bahrain route.

The B787-9 is six-metres longer than the 787-8 and can fly up to 20 per cent more passengers and 23 per cent more cargo.

KLM B787-9 Dreamliner

Pieter Elbers, KLM president and CEO, said: “We are very proud to welcome our first Boeing 787 Dreamliner today. This aircraft symbolises a new phase in the future of KLM.

“Investment in our customers is one of our priorities. This efficient aircraft is part of that investment. It’s testimony to the great work of 33,000 KLM employees, who are committed to giving their best for our customers every day.”

The airline will install ts new fully-flat World Business Class seats on to the B787-9 (see news, July 27).

The Air France-KLM Group has a further 19 B787-9s and six B787-10s on order and will lease 12 B787s through AerCap.

klm.com