KLM: A Century in Flight – Navigating the Skies of Past and Present

Airlines – Wonder of the Sky, Airports – Runways to the World, Europe

KLM: A Century in Flight – Navigating the Skies of Past and Present

October 2, 2019

Today, I merged two passions that hold a special place in my heart: music and aviation. This video seamlessly blends different moments featuring the latest song, “Salsa Libre,” by the contemporary Dutch producer and composer, Jen Reijnders.

In 1919, a pivotal year marked by the burgeoning significance of Civil Aviation, emerged in the aftermath of the First World War and the era of Colonisation. It witnessed the establishment of the world’s first airline on October 7th, 1919, the Royal Dutch Airline for the Netherlands and Colonies.

Today, we commemorate this historic milestone alongside the KLM UK Team, fellow travel partners, and my delightful colleague, Berenice Roure, as we celebrate its 100th anniversary at one of London’s most breath-taking venues, The National Gallery.

KLM proudly holds the title of the oldest airline globally, with Avianca of Colombia following as the second oldest.

KLM boasts a history of service, tracing its roots back to its modest origins when it initiated flight operations from Croydon Airport, the predecessor of London Heathrow, to Amsterdam in 1920. The inaugural flight with the DeHavilland DH-16, accommodating a mere four passengers! Fast forward 100 years, and KLM has evolved to serve over 162 destinations globally, operating from its hub at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport and managing a modern fleet of over 120 aircraft.

The narrative of KLM encapsulates the magnificence of the aviation industry, a sector that not only envisioned a connected world but actively designed, propelled, and continues to navigate through the diverse trajectories of human history, uniting it through the boundless skies.

The history of aviation unfolds against the backdrop of wars, technological innovation, and the advent of the jet age, the golden era that heralded a societal breakthrough, transforming the way people traverse the skies.

Today, as an integral part of the Air France & KLM group within the SkyTeam alliance, KLM continues its upward trajectory as a pioneering force in aviation. This enduring journey reaffirms that, despite being one of the most vulnerable industries, aviation will persist, not just surviving but thriving, perpetually connecting the globe through the vast expanse of the sky.