KLM Celebrates 95th Birthday

The “World’s Oldest Airline” is celebrating its 95th anniversary of flying under same company brand.

Regarded as the “World’s Oldest Airline,” KLM Royal Dutch Airlines is celebrating its 95th year of operations this week. The airline was founded on October 7, 1919, and its first flight took off on May 17, 1920.

In celebration, the Netherlands’ flag carrier is holding several special events for both employees and flyers. At a special celebration for employees, the airline unveiled a special logo celebrating the anniversary. The logo will be featured on regional aircraft through November, with rollout planned for select international wide-body aircraft. Flyers can expect to see the anniversary logo on the wide-body aircraft through April 2015.

Other events included laying the cornerstone of the new KLM World Business Class Lounge, which is currently under construction at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) and is expected to open in 2016. According to a statement from KLM, the new lounge will reflect modern Dutch design elements, fulfilling “the wishes of [KLM] passengers, who want comfort, rest, relaxation and entertainment.” The airline also introduced a special edition anniversary Delftware miniature house, which will be given as a collectible gift to flyers in World Business Class.

“Thanks to the efforts, pride, expertise and energy of our 33,000 employees, KLM is now the world’s oldest airline still operating under its original name,” said KLM President and CEO Camiel Eurlings. “KLM is rooted in Dutch society and we all have KLM-blue blood coursing through our veins. We look to the coming years with confidence.”

Although KLM merged with Air France in 2004, the Dutch airline has continued to operate as an independent brand, flying to over 130 destinations. On its blog, KLM called its celebration a modest affair, claiming it’s “saving up for the centenary celebration in five years’ time.”

[Photo: KLM]