KLM Marks 106 Years in the US with New Delft Blue House

LEIDEN — KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (KL), the world’s oldest airline still operating under its original name, celebrated its 106th anniversary on October 7 by unveiling its newest Delft Blue miniature house: Villa Rameau, located beside the historic Pieterskerk in Leiden.

The building once served as the sexton’s residence and is closely linked to the Pilgrims, who lived in Leiden for 12 years before setting sail for America aboard the Mayflower in 1620. KLM selected the landmark to symbolize more than four centuries of transatlantic connection—from the Pilgrims’ voyage to the airline’s modern-day partnership with Delta Air Lines (DL) under the Air France–KLM Joint Venture, which now serves 15 U.S. destinations annually.

“With the unveiling of Villa Rameau as our 106th Delft Blue house, we’re celebrating both our birthday and the importance of connection and resilience,” said Marjan Rintel, KLM President & CEO. “This house reminds us how vital it is to stay connected, especially in challenging times.”

Leiden’s Villa Rameau: A Symbol of Endurance

Now home to the Leiden American Pilgrim Museum, Villa Rameau embodies layers of Dutch and transatlantic history. The Pilgrims’ harvest festival in Leiden later inspired what became Thanksgiving. At the same time, during World War II, the Rameau family—residents of the house—played an active role in the Dutch resistance.

“It’s an honor that Villa Rameau, with its unique history and central place in Leiden, is now part of the KLM miniature house collection,” said Peter Heijkoop, Mayor of Leiden.

Delft Blue Legacy

Since the 1950s, KLM has gifted Delft Blue miniatures filled with Bols Dutch Gin to its World Business Class passengers on intercontinental flights. Each collectible model represents a notable Dutch landmark; since 1994, the number of houses has matched KLM’s age.

Every October 7, a new house is introduced to commemorate the airline’s founding in 1919 and its enduring role in connecting the Netherlands with the broader world.