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KLM adds cool new route connecting San Diego and Amsterdam

Nov. 13, 2024
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3 min read
KLM Boeing 787-10 Premium Comfort Economy
KLM adds cool new route connecting San Diego and Amsterdam
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San Diego is about to get another nonstop connection to Europe.

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines announced Tuesday that it would add nonstop service from San Diego International Airport (SAN) to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) beginning May 8, 2025.

This new thrice-weekly service will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays on a 275-seat Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. KLM's 787-9 Dreamliner features 30 lie-flat business-class pods, 21 premium economy recliners and 224 economy seats.

ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY

Flights will depart San Diego at 1:55 p.m. and land in Amsterdam at 9:15 a.m. the next day. Westbound flights will leave Amsterdam at 9:50 a.m. and land in San Diego at noon.

Amsterdam is KLM's megahub and also serves as one of the key connecting points for SkyTeam alliance travelers heading from Europe to points throughout the world. San Diego-based travelers will soon have access to over 160 destinations beyond Amsterdam, according to KLM and airport authorities.

KLM will become the 19th carrier to serve San Diego. The Amsterdam service will become the airport's third nonstop route to Europe. KLM will join British Airways (London) and Lufthansa (Munich) as European airlines that fly to San Diego.

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At 5,613 miles, this new route will become KLM's longest to the U.S.

San Diego is "a large, unserved market for the joint venture of Air France, KLM, Delta and Virgin Atlantic, with steady growth over the past decade," the airline explained in a short statement.

KLM already serves 14 destinations in the U.S. Some are key domestic SkyTeam hubs, but others are major cities with enough demand for nonstop flights to Amsterdam. San Diego will join Austin and Portland, Oregon, as non-SkyTeam airports that have nonstop KLM flights.

CIRIUM

In addition to the new San Diego service, KLM announced that it will also add service to Georgetown, Guyana, as part of a triangle route connecting to St. Martin. The airline will also fly to Hyderabad, India, next year.

Related reading:

Featured image by ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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