On October 7, 1919, Koninklijke Luchtvaart Maatschappij, commonly known as KLM, was founded in the Netherlands. It is the oldest commercial airline still operating under its original name and serves as the national airline of the Netherlands. KLM represents Dutch aviation and is a significant player in global travel. It is part of the Air France-KLM group, which is a major force in international air transport.

Royal Beginnings 

In early 1919, the idea for a Dutch international airline was born when a young aviator named Albert Plesman organized a successful aviation exhibition. The event attracted over half a million attendees, including many prominent Dutch investors. Following the exhibition, these investors showed keen interest in establishing a Dutch airline, and Plesman was appointed to lead the organization.

In September 1919, the then-presiding Queen of the Netherlands, Queen Wilhelmina, awarded the not-yet-formed KLM airline the Royal Predicte, acknowledging the prominent national position the airline would hold in the world of aviation. On October 7, eight Dutch investors officially established KLM as one of the world’s very first commercial airlines. 

First Flights

Less than a year after its official establishment, KLM launched its first flight on May 17, 1920. This inaugural flight took place from Croydon Airport in London to Amsterdam. It utilized basic technology, including paper maps and an open cockpit, and was piloted by Jerry Shaw. The flight carried 440 passengers and transported 22 tons of freight. The journey was a success.

In the following years and decades, the company experienced significant growth. By 1929, less than a decade after its establishment, KLM was operating consistent long-haul routes. In the 1940s, they successfully completed their first transatlantic flight. After World War II, the company rapidly expanded by adding transatlantic services to North and South America, as well as destinations in India and Africa.

Flight Legacy

In 2004, KLM merged with the aviation giant Air France to form the Air France-KLM Group. The KLM network continues to operate under its original name, allowing it to retain the distinction of being the oldest airline still operating under its original name. Currently, the company connects 165 cities across more than 70 countries. By 2023, KLM had served well over 30 million customers.