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DALLAS — KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (KL) inaugurated its first nonstop route between San Diego International Airport (SAN) and Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS) on May 8, 2025.
The year-round service will operate three times per week (Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays) using modern Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. San Diego officials say this makes Amsterdam the airport’s 10th international destination, as passenger demand to Europe climbs.
According to SAN’s officials, this event included a festive ribbon-cutting ceremony at the gate, with speeches, cake, and a traditional water cannon salute to welcome KL’s arrival.
Attendees included Kimberly Becker, President and CEO of the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority, and KL representatives, who highlighted the route's importance for leisure and business travel. “We are thrilled to welcome KLM to SAN and celebrate the inaugural flight to Amsterdam,” said Kimberly Becker.
Thrice-Weekly Boeing 787-9 Flights
KLM will now operate the year-round service thrice weekly on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners serve KLM’s new San Diego flights. As per sources, these jets seat about 275 passengers, including 30 lie-flat business-class seats and 21 premium economy seats. The flights depart San Diego around 13:55 local time and arrive in Amsterdam early the next morning after roughly 10-11 hours in the air.
The westbound return flights from Amsterdam arrive mid-afternoon in San Diego, while eastbound departures leave SAN early afternoon and land in Amsterdam the next morning. This timing provides travelers convenient connectivity to more than 160 destinations across Europe, Asia, and beyond through KL’s hub at AMS.
As a member of the SkyTeam Alliance, KL also brings frequent flyer benefits and seamless transfer options to passengers connecting through its global partners.
Boosting San Diego’s International Reach
The addition of KL strengthens San Diego’s international profile. With Amsterdam, SAN now has three nonstop European gateways (alongside London and Munich), serving 10 international destinations. Officials say European travel from San Diego is up about 30% year-over-year, underlining the demand for more direct routes.
This new route also strengthens the bond between the Netherlands and Southern California. As home to a significant Dutch expatriate community and numerous shared commercial interests, the nonstop service is expected to generate long-term economic and cultural benefits.
A Win For KLM’s U.S. Strategy
For KL, the San Diego service extends its West Coast network; San Diego is now its 15th US destination. According to Condé Nast Traveller, airlines are adding dozens of new U.S.-Europe routes amid record demand. IATA forecasts 5.2 billion flyers in 2025, and Cirium projects roughly 5,000 more transatlantic seats this summer than last year.
This launch reflects growing demand for direct European service from secondary U.S. cities and fits within KL’s broader strategy to expand premium leisure and business travel offerings on the West Coast. According to IATA forecasts, international travel demand is expected to surpass pre-pandemic levels by the end of 2025, making this a timely move for the airline and the airport.
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Featured image: San Diego International Airport
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