Good news for all mums, dads, grandmas, grandpas, and friends of KLM passengers. KLM, the Royal Dutch Airline has launched Family Updates on WhatsApp.

The new service lets passengers start a WhatsApp group to keep friends and family up to date about their flight status. This way, KLM meets the needs and wishes of its customers to reassure the home front and keep them informed – as soon as there is an update.

KLM passengers who receive their boarding pass via WhatsApp will get an invite to use this latest KLM WhatsApp service, free of charge. KLM will then send a message to the friends and family of participating passengers as soon as the flight has departed.

Immediately after landing – even before the passenger has Wi-Fi or data roaming – the home front will receive another notification. If a flight is delayed, the group members will be informed as well.

In addition to these automated messages, group members can also ask KLM about the flight’s progress. With this service, KLM wants to make their passengers’ journey easier and hopes the home front finds more peace of mind.

KLM is the first airline to offer a WhatsApp service for customers and their inner circle. Currently, WhatsApp service is only available in English.

If the service proves successful, KLM will extend it to other social media channels and languages.