KLM Opens a New Chapter in U.S. Travel with Nonstop Amsterdam to San Diego Route, Offering Enhanced Connections for International Travelers

Published on May 8, 2025

On May 8, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines launched its inaugural nonstop flight from Amsterdam to San Diego, marking a key milestone in the airline’s growth within the U.S. market. Announced in November, this new route spans 4,878 nautical miles (9,034 kilometers), making it KLM’s longest U.S. route to date. By introducing this new connection, KLM joins the ranks of British Airways and Lufthansa as one of the few European carriers servicing three major Californian airports.

This new route brings KLM’s total U.S. destinations to 15, with up to 16 daily flights scheduled for 2025. Although Delta Air Lines, a SkyTeam partner, offers an even wider U.S. network, KLM’s direct service to San Diego is a key expansion for the airline, allowing it to tap into the growing demand for transatlantic travel to Southern California.

KLM’s New Nonstop Service to San Diego

KLM’s new route to San Diego operates three times per week on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. The airline is utilizing its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, which has a seating capacity of 275 passengers. The inaugural flight, operated by the 7.8-year-old Boeing 787-9 (PH-BHM), successfully completed the round trip from Amsterdam to San Diego.

Given that this is a brand-new route, KLM has opted for a thrice-weekly service to begin with, allowing it to monitor demand and adjust as necessary. This frequency is relatively modest when compared to other airlines. For example, British Airways offers 13 weekly flights from London Heathrow to San Diego in the summer months, while Lufthansa operates a daily service from Munich, though it decreases to five weekly flights during the winter season.

Flight Schedule:

Key Focus on Amsterdam’s Connectivity

A major advantage of KLM’s San Diego route is the airline’s strategic use of Amsterdam Schiphol Airport as a key international hub. In 2024, Schiphol saw approximately 36,000 passengers traveling between San Diego and Europe, a solid foundation for this new nonstop service. San Diego was also the fourth-largest unserved European city, underscoring the potential demand for a direct flight.

KLM’s extensive network through Amsterdam makes it possible for passengers to easily connect to over 50 destinations worldwide with a maximum four-hour layover. Key European cities, including Rome, Paris, Munich, Barcelona, Frankfurt, Zurich, Athens, Lisbon, Milan, and Venice, are just a few examples of the many destinations passengers can access through Amsterdam. This connectivity is a crucial element for KLM, providing travelers with a convenient gateway to other regions of the world.

In addition to local San Diego passengers, many will likely use this new route as part of a broader international journey, connecting to other U.S. cities via Amsterdam. KLM has long been a key player in transatlantic travel, with over 2.2 million passengers traveling between the U.S. and Europe in the past year, many of whom made connections through Schiphol. The timing of KLM’s flights to and from San Diego is designed to ensure smooth and efficient connections for travelers.

KLM’s U.S. Network: A Comprehensive Strategy

KLM operates a diverse range of U.S. routes, with several of them available year-round and others offered seasonally. Below is an overview of KLM’s summer and winter schedules for its U.S. operations, highlighting the adjustments made for each season.

KLM Summer Schedule (until October 25, 2025):

KLM Winter Schedule (from October 26, 2025):

Seasonal adjustments to the flight schedule reflect shifts in passenger demand, with some routes seeing reduced frequencies or changes in aircraft type during the winter months. These seasonal shifts ensure KLM can optimize its fleet and maintain efficient service during peak and off-peak periods.

Future Prospects

KLM’s new route between Amsterdam and San Diego represents a significant step forward in the airline’s growth in the U.S. market. As the route continues to develop, KLM may look into increasing frequencies and expanding its offerings in Southern California. The airline’s strategic focus on connectivity via Amsterdam provides passengers with seamless options for travel to and from a broad range of global destinations. As KLM continues to strengthen its position as a key player in transatlantic air travel, this new route is an important part of its ongoing expansion strategy.