Air France-KLM Orders 50 Airbus A350 Family Aircraft

Air France-KLM is set to place an order for 50 Airbus A350 family aircraft, with purchase rights for an additional 40 aircraft, to expedite the renewal of its long-haul fleet. This order positions the group as the world leading operator of the Airbus A350 family.

The order will be made at the group level and will encompass 50 Airbus A350-900 and A350-1000 aircraft. It will also include purchase rights for 40 additional aircraft. Initial deliveries are expected to commence in 2026 and continue until 2030. This flexible order will enable the group to allocate the aircraft to its various airlines based on market dynamics and local regulatory frameworks.

Benjamin Smith, CEO of Air France-KLM Group, stated, "This new order represents a significant milestone in the group fleet renewal. The Airbus A350 is a cutting-edge aircraft that has already proven itself at Air France, quickly becoming a favorite among passengers and crews since its entry into service in 2019. It perfectly meets the needs of the group network and offers outstanding performance: it's quieter, more fuel-efficient, and more cost-effective than previous-generation aircraft. It will play a key role in achieving our ambitious decarbonization goals, including reaching a -30% reduction in CO2 emissions per passenger-kilometer by 2030."

These aircraft will replace older-generation planes that will gradually be phased out of the group fleet in the coming years, including Airbus A330s and Boeing 777s. This new order complements a previous order by Air France-KLM for 41 Airbus A350-900 aircraft for Air France, 22 of which have already been delivered.

Air France-KLM will also be among the launch operators of the Airbus A350F Cargo, with the group ordering 8 of these versions to renew and expand its cargo fleet.

With all orders considered, Air France-KLM is set to become the world leading operator of the Airbus A350 family, with up to 99 aircraft.

The Airbus A350 represents a transition to more sustainable air travel, offering a 25% reduction in fuel consumption compared to older aircraft of similar size, thanks to the use of lighter materials: 53% composites and 14% titanium. Its noise footprint is also reduced by 40%.

By 2028, the share of next-generation aircraft in the Air France-KLM fleet will reach 64%, compared to just 5% in 2019.