{"id":133735,"date":"2026-02-20T11:11:00","date_gmt":"2026-02-20T05:41:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/?p=133735"},"modified":"2026-02-20T01:45:11","modified_gmt":"2026-02-19T20:15:11","slug":"air-france-klm-set-to-replace-59-boeing-777-300ers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/index.php\/2026\/02\/20\/air-france-klm-set-to-replace-59-boeing-777-300ers\/","title":{"rendered":"Air France-KLM Set to Replace 59 Boeing 777-300ERs Sooner Than Expected"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

PARIS-<\/strong> 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)<\/a> and KLM (KL)<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Group chief executive Ben Smith said during an earnings call on 19 February that the company will look, \u201cprobably sooner rather than later,\u201d at replacing its long-haul Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, citing order backlogs at Airbus and Boeing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group is evaluating the Airbus A350-1000 and the still-to-be-certificated Boeing 777-9 as potential successors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Air
Photo: Cl\u00e9ment Alloing<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Air France-KLM Replaces 59 Boeing 777-300ER<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Air France-KLM operates 59 Boeing 777-300ERs<\/a> across its two network carriers, including 43 with Air France and 16 with KLM.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The highest-density cabin configuration features 472 seats and is primarily used on leisure routes by Air France.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Smith stated that timing is critical when considering replacement aircraft due to constrained production slots at both manufacturers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He identified two options under evaluation: the Airbus A350-1000<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Boeing 777-9 remains uncertificated but is designed to deliver improved fuel efficiency and higher passenger capacity compared with earlier 777 variants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Flight Global<\/a>, the potential replacement forms part of a broader fleet transformation effort across the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Air
Photo: Cl\u00e9ment Alloing<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Widebody Fleet Renewal and Order Adjustments<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The group is already integrating Airbus A350-900 and A350-1000 aircraft to replace Airbus A330s and Boeing 777-200ERs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2023, Air France-KLM signed a deal for 50 A350s, topping up previous commitments for the widebody type.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Air
Photo: By Duan Zhu – http:\/\/www.airliners.net\/photo\/Air-France\/Boeing-777-328-ER\/1964624\/L\/, CC BY 3.0, https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/w\/index.php?curid=20580763<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Fleet Simplification Focus at Air France<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Fleet simplification remains a key focus for Air France in particular under a strategic roadmap launched in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The airline is replacing all Airbus A320ceo-family aircraft with Airbus A220 jets and does not operate A320neo variants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Management expects Air France to operate between 90 and 95 A220s by the end of the decade. Smith declined to comment on the group\u2019s potential interest in a stretched A220-500 variant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This narrowbody renewal supports lower fuel consumption, improved operating economics, and a more standardized fleet structure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: By Paul Schmid – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/w\/index.php?curid=90127738<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Financial Performance and 2025 Outlook<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Air France-KLM reported annual revenues of \u20ac33 billion in 2025, equivalent to $39 billion, representing a 4.9 percent year-on-year increase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Operating profit reached just over \u20ac2 billion, marking a \u20ac403 million improvement compared with 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Net income rose to \u20ac1.75 billion, up \u20ac1.3 billion year on year, and included nearly \u20ac700 million in unrealised foreign exchange gains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

KLM recorded an operating profit of \u20ac416 million, essentially flat year on year. Air France posted an operating result of \u20ac1.36 billion, almost \u20ac400 million higher than the previous year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Executives presented a positive assessment of 2025 and the year ahead, highlighting strong performance in premium cabins and disciplined capacity management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The forthcoming 777-300ER replacement decision will be central to sustaining long-term competitiveness and operational efficiency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Join us on\u00a0Telegram Group\u00a0<\/a>for the Latest Aviation Updates. Subsequently, follow us on\u00a0Google News<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Air France Deploys Its 777 with New First Class on These 4 Routes<\/a><\/blockquote>