Why Your Next KLM Flight Might Be Operated By Air France Pilots

A special collaboration between KLM and Air France is now underway. For a period of four months, Air France pilots will operate KLM's Boeing 777-200ER between John F. Kennedy Airport, New York and Schiphol, Amsterdam.

This arrangement allows KLM to make optimal use of the potential of the entire Air France-KLM Group to operate its scheduled flights. The first flight departed from Schiphol on 16 July at 1:25 p.m., as KL641, with Air France pilots and KLM cabin crew.  

This is the first time that Air France pilots and KLM crew will jointly operate a KLM flight. Over the past few months, teams at Air France and KLM have worked hard to carefully work out all the details, coordinate many internal and external stakeholders, including  unions and aviation authorities, and ensure a smooth operation. 

According to Maarten Stienen, the COO of KLM, the new collaboration, which is made possible within the Air France-KLM Group, will help KLM to operate its scheduled flights this summer, and supplements the airline’s capacity this summer, which is good for KLM as a whole.

The joint flights include one aircraft on the route between John F. Kennedy Airport in New York and Schiphol, which will be crewed by Air France pilots starting 16 July. This arrangement will last until the end of the summer schedule on October 25.

So, be on the lookout. If you're flying on a KLM's Boeing 777-200ER between John F. Kennedy Airport, New York and Schiphol, Amsterdam this summer, you might just be in the hands of Air France pilots.