KLM launching New Economy Class Product

An image released by KLM to accompany the announcement.

From December 2009, passengers travelling in Economy Class on all intercontinental flights operated by KLM Royal Dutch Airlines can choose seats offering greater comfort. The new Economy Comfort zone offers up to ten centimetres more legroom and back supports that can recline twice as far. It’s not yet clear how many Economy Comfort seats will be available on each plane, but the seats will be positioned at the front of the standard economy class, allowing Economy Comfort customers to disembark first.

KLM will be offering the new Economy Comfort zone in response to customer demands for greatercomfort and more choice in Economy Class on intercontinental flights. The Economy Comfort zone supplements the preferred seats already available at an additional charge. This development forms part of KLM’s long-term programme entitled ‘The Customer Journey’, which focuses on renewing its brand position and awarding top priority to customer demands.

KLM’s entire intercontinental fleet will be equipped with the new zone. The first aircraft have already been converted. The remaining aircraft will follow in the months ahead, enabling all passengers to choose for the Economy Comfort zone on intercontinental flights from December.

KLM has gone for a different approach to sister airline Air France, which is officially launching its new premium economy product next week. While Air France has gone for a completely new seat, with a separate cabin, priority check-in and upgraded amenities, and with ticket prices to reflect this, KLM is effectively adapting its economy seat to offer passengers the choice of more legroom and a greater recline.

Depending on the distances involved, the price of the new zone will amount to between €80 and €150 for a single leg of the journey. Flying Blue Platinum members and passengers travelling on a full-flex Economy Class ticket can book Economy Comfort seats without a surcharge. Flying Blue Gold members will be offered a 50% discount and Flying Blue Silver members 25%. The service in Economy Comfort will be the same as that in Economy Class.

Economy Comfort seats can be booked from the end of November at http://www.klm.com/