KLM’s first Airbus A321neo aircraft has been spotted at the manufacturer’s facilities in Finkenwerder (XFW), in Hamburg, Germany.
Aviation photographer Dirk Grothe took to X (formerly Twitter) to post the image, which was taken at a distance and shows the aircraft already painted in the iconic blue livery of the Dutch airline.
The photograph follows the release of images taken of the same aircraft (reg. PH-AXA) inside the Airbus facility, which showed the KLM emblem on the tail. These images were also shared on social media.
The upcoming delivery of the aircraft has generated much expectation within the industry and among aviation enthusiasts since it will be the first time that KLM has operated an Airbus narrowbody aircraft in its more than 100-year history.
The Air France-KLM Group placed an order for 100 A320 family aircraft (plus 60 options) in December 2021, which will be assigned to KLM as well as the Dutch and French branches of Transavia, the group’s low-cost carrier.
The A321neo will progressively replace the Boeing 737NG aircraft that have been the mainstay of KLM’s narrowbody fleet.
The first aircraft from the A320neo-family mega-order was delivered to Transavia France in January 2024.
