{"id":162480,"date":"2026-10-28T19:11:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-28T13:41:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/?p=162480"},"modified":"2026-10-28T18:48:33","modified_gmt":"2026-10-28T13:18:33","slug":"klm-787-pilot-pranks-with-jfk-atc-before-takeoff","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/index.php\/2026\/10\/28\/klm-787-pilot-pranks-with-jfk-atc-before-takeoff\/","title":{"rendered":"KLM 787 Pilot Pranks With New York JFK ATC Before Takeoff"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

NEW YORK\u2013<\/strong> A KLM (KL)<\/a> Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner, registered as PH-BKC, operating flight KL642 from New York\u2019s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS), became part of a lighthearted exchange with air traffic control before takeoff. The incident unfolded as the aircraft prepared to depart Runway 4 Left at JFK.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The conversation took a humorous turn when the KLM pilot asked whether the aircraft was number one in the departure sequence, repeating a question that another pilot had asked moments earlier. The controller briefly expressed confusion before the KLM crew revealed that the question was a joke.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Photo:Acroterion | Wikimedia Commons\nhttps:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:KLM_Boeing_787-10_PH-BKK_IAD_VA1.jpg<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

KLM Pilot Repeats Condor Crew\u2019s Question at JFK<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The exchange began while Condor flight 17 was preparing to depart JFK. Air traffic control instructed the Condor aircraft to line up and wait on Runway 4 Left.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the conversation, the Condor pilot asked whether the aircraft was number one in the departure sequence. The controller responded, \u201cNumber one to who?\u201d before the pilot repeated the aircraft\u2019s callsign and acknowledged the instruction to line up and wait.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The controller subsequently cleared Condor 17 for takeoff from Runway 4 Left. The exchange then continued with KLM flight KL642, which was also preparing for departure from the same runway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Photo: Adam Moreira (AEMoreira042281) | WIkimedia Commons\nhttps:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:KLM_Royal_Dutch_Airlines_Boeing_787-10_Dreamliner_PH-BKC_approaching_JFK_Airport.jpg<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

JFK Controller Caught Off Guard by KLM Pilot\u2019s Joke<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After receiving instructions to line up and wait, the KLM pilot<\/a> asked the controller, \u201cKLM 642, are we number one?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The question prompted an immediate reaction from the controller, who explained that it was the second time someone had asked the same question. The controller then pointed out that no aircraft was ahead of KLM, questioning who could otherwise be number one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The KLM pilot clarified the situation, explaining that the question was a joke and that the crew had heard the earlier exchange involving Condor 17.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The controller acknowledged the explanation, and the conversation continued in a relaxed tone. The exchange demonstrated how a routine question about departure sequencing turned into a brief moment of humour between the flight crew and the controller.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Photo: Chris de Breun | JetPhotos<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

KLM 642 Receives Takeoff Clearance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Following the conversation, air traffic control issued KLM flight KL642 its takeoff clearance for Runway 4 Left. The flight crew acknowledged the clearance and repeated the runway designation and flight callsign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The aircraft involved was identified as PH-BKC, a Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner<\/a> operated by KLM. Aircraft-tracking records identify the registration and aircraft type and list KL642 on the New York JFK to Amsterdam AMS route.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The supplied radio exchange contains no indication of a resulting operational disruption. Instead, the conversation centred on the repeated question about departure order and the controller\u2019s reaction before KLM received clearance to take off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n