KLM Royal Dutch Airlines

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, known formally as Koninklijke Luchtvaart Maatschappij, was founded on 7 October 1919, making it the oldest airline in the world still operating under its original name. Established with royal patronage granted by Queen Wilhelmina, the carrier began scheduled services in 1920 between Amsterdam and London and has since grown into one of Europe's principal network airlines. Since 2004 it has been part of the Air France-KLM group, though it retains its own brand, fleet, and operational identity.

The airline's hub is Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, a major European transfer point from which KLM and its partners serve roughly 160 destinations across Europe, North America, Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. Regional and European feeder services are operated under the KLM Cityhopper subsidiary, while cargo operations run under the KLM Cargo banner. Long-haul flying is handled by a mixed widebody fleet that includes the Boeing 777-200ER and 777-300ER, the Boeing 787-9 and 787-10 Dreamliner, and the Airbus A330, with the Airbus A350-900 on order. Short and medium-haul routes are flown by Boeing 737s and Embraer E175 and E190/E195-E2 jets.

KLM is a founding member of the SkyTeam alliance, formed in 2000, and maintains a deep transatlantic joint venture with Air France, Delta Air Lines, and Virgin Atlantic. Its Flying Blue programme, shared with Air France, is among the largest frequent flyer schemes in Europe. KLM is widely recognised for operational reliability, a strong Dutch service identity, and long-standing investment in sustainability initiatives, though like its peers it continues to face pressure from rising costs and capacity constraints at a congested Schiphol hub.