PARIS- Air France-KLM is preparing to decide on a replacement for its ageing Boeing 777-300ER fleet. The aircraft are operated by Air France (AF) and KLM (KL).
Group chief executive Ben Smith said during an earnings call on 19 February that the company will look, “probably sooner rather than later,” at replacing its long-haul Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, citing order backlogs at Airbus and Boeing.
The group is evaluating the Airbus A350-1000 and the still-to-be-certificated Boeing 777-9 as potential successors.
Air France-KLM Replaces 59 Boeing 777-300ER
Air France-KLM operates 59 Boeing 777-300ERs across its two network carriers, including 43 with Air France and 16 with KLM.
The highest-density cabin configuration features 472 seats and is primarily used on leisure routes by Air France.
Smith stated that timing is critical when considering replacement aircraft due to constrained production slots at both manufacturers.
He identified two options under evaluation: the Airbus A350-1000 and the Boeing 777-9. Airbus is also in the preliminary stages of assessing a potential stretch of the A350-1000, which could offer additional capacity.
The Boeing 777-9 remains uncertificated but is designed to deliver improved fuel efficiency and higher passenger capacity compared with earlier 777 variants.
According to Flight Global, the potential replacement forms part of a broader fleet transformation effort across the group.
Widebody Fleet Renewal and Order Adjustments
The group is already integrating Airbus A350-900 and A350-1000 aircraft to replace Airbus A330s and Boeing 777-200ERs.
In 2023, Air France-KLM signed a deal for 50 A350s, topping up previous commitments for the widebody type.
In August last year, the group revised its order mix by significantly downgrading its commitment to the larger A350-1000 variant from 11 of the 50 aircraft to just three. It stated that it would instead take additional A350-900s.
Air France has been taking A350-900 deliveries since 2019. The first A350-900 delivery for KLM is due this year. Both carriers also operate Boeing 787 aircraft for long-haul services.
Fleet Simplification Focus at Air France
Fleet simplification remains a key focus for Air France in particular under a strategic roadmap launched in 2019.
The airline is replacing all Airbus A320ceo-family aircraft with Airbus A220 jets and does not operate A320neo variants.
Management expects Air France to operate between 90 and 95 A220s by the end of the decade. Smith declined to comment on the group’s potential interest in a stretched A220-500 variant.
This narrowbody renewal supports lower fuel consumption, improved operating economics, and a more standardized fleet structure.
Financial Performance and 2025 Outlook
Air France-KLM reported annual revenues of €33 billion in 2025, equivalent to $39 billion, representing a 4.9 percent year-on-year increase.
Operating profit reached just over €2 billion, marking a €403 million improvement compared with 2024.
Net income rose to €1.75 billion, up €1.3 billion year on year, and included nearly €700 million in unrealised foreign exchange gains.
KLM recorded an operating profit of €416 million, essentially flat year on year. Air France posted an operating result of €1.36 billion, almost €400 million higher than the previous year.
Executives presented a positive assessment of 2025 and the year ahead, highlighting strong performance in premium cabins and disciplined capacity management.
The forthcoming 777-300ER replacement decision will be central to sustaining long-term competitiveness and operational efficiency.
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