We have been following the KLM 787-9 inaugural with great anticipation since the beginning of 2015. In January we first made mention of the new aircraft and planned routes for the KLM 787-9 (“Dreamliner”). We also revisited the inaugural details and redeeming Delta Skymiles and FlyingBlue miles for the flight back in July. On the 26th of July we shared some of the details of the interior of KLM’s newest aircraft, including the new World Business Class seats.
About a month ago, I started this post :
“Game on! (maybe?) According to the most recent issue (issue 3 / 2015) of Flying Dutchman the inaugural is scheduled for Sunday the 25th of October.”
Oh, how things can change in a month!
On the 7th of September, KLM was quite vague about whether the inaugural would still proceed in October.
Then KLM (finally) confirmed on the 18th of September that the inaugural would not happen in October and it seemed that the date per the schedule was set for the 16th of November. This was based details being ascertained from the schedules that were available.
Fast Forward to October 2015, and upinthesky.nl announced [Dutch] on the 9th of October that the inaugural was scheduled to proceed on Sunday the 22nd of November. KLM flight #437 on the 22nd of November does seem to correlate via schedule with a KLM 787-9 operating AMS-AUH-BAH. (Amsterdam to Bahrain with a stop in Abu Dhabi)
So, for the moment, it is “game on” for the inaugural on the 22nd of November. I, of course, “grabbed” a seat, since there was still availability in World Business Class using Delta Skymiles. (42,500 SkyMiles + €202.05 in taxes) Stay tuned!
Please feel free to share any of your thoughts about the eventual KLM 787-9 inaugural.
Michael resides in London and travels extensively as a British Airways Executive Club (BAEC) Gold member, after previously being a Delta Diamond Medallion in The Netherlands. Miles+Points airline/hotel loyalty programs and learning to optimize the use of loyalty programs are intense interests of Michael’s. In addition, Michael is passionate about casino loyalty programs, the history of Las Vegas/Atlantic City and baccarat, as well as cooking and also enjoying foodie experiences around the globe.
I hope you make it to the inaugural! By the time I found out about the Nov 22 inaugural, there was no DL award space available so I booked through FB for 60k miles. The day after, KLM changed the aircraft back to a330 so I cancelled my ticket. At the moment it seems to be on Nov 23rd but I couldn’t find DL award space and for FB, it is available but for a whopping 150k miles! Crazy! Unfortunately it is thanksgiving week and I won’t be able to attend since its cutting it close to turkey day.
Who knows? It may be further delayed!?!
Thanks for the comment. Yes, there is very little information. As you mention, Sunday the 22nd seems to be back to an A330. KLM won’t commit to any further “exact” details with regard to the planned inaugural date. Everything is “up in the air” at the moment.