KLM has taken delivery of its first Airbus A350-900 at Schiphol, but the aircraft’s World Business Class cabin remains blocked from passenger use while certification continues. The widebody arrived on 2 October with 331 seats in a three-class layout, including 34 World Business Class seats, 26 Premium Comfort seats and 271 Economy seats.
EASA has approved the test results for the business-class seats, allowing the certification process to begin, but the cabin is not yet cleared for sale or operation. That means KLM can introduce the aircraft into its fleet, but early long-haul flying will not fully benefit from the premium revenue expected from the front cabin.
The aircraft is the first A350 for KLM and the type will initially operate long-haul services from Amsterdam Schiphol, with Toronto due as its first destination in a few weeks. The certification issue affects the airline’s wider cabin roll-out on the type and leaves open the timing for when the World Business Class product will become available on the new fleet member.