Inaugural Flight Between San Diego and Amsterdam Takes Off

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines recently celebrated its first non-stop flight between San Diego International Airport and Amsterdam’s Schiphol International Airport. The inaugural flight kicked off in May with festivities and a ribbon cutting.

© KLM Royal Dutch Airlines

“We are thrilled to welcome KLM to SAN and celebrate the inaugural flight to Amsterdam,” said Kimberly Becker, president and CEO, San Diego County Regional Airport Authority. “This new nonstop service to this beautiful city known for its iconic canals and world-class museums is now the 10^th international destination offered from SAN and will also expand options for easy connections to other European cities from San Diego. This new flight will help serve the strong demand from both business and leisure passengers for flights to Europe, which is up more than 30 percent compared to last year.”

KLM marks SAN’s seventh foreign-flag international carrier. The three weekly flights will take off Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday on a Boeing 787-9 aircraft. The year-round route expands access to Europe from San Diego.

© KLM Royal Dutch Airlines

“The new direct flight from San Diego to Amsterdam is a major win for our regional economy, supporting jobs, tourism and international business and investment opportunities,” said San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria. “This connection was years in the making, helped by the strong relationships we built with KLM during our 2022 trade mission to the Netherlands. It’s a clear example of how international engagement delivers real, lasting benefits for San Diego.”

In Amsterdam, travelers will be able to connect to KLM’s network of more than 160 destinations, and take advantage of the benefits of the SkyTeam airline alliance.

“Launching our new direct route between San Diego and Amsterdam is a significant step for KLM, expanding our transatlantic network and linking two dynamic cities,” said Bas Brouns, CFO and managing director, KLM. “San Diego is a gateway to Southern California and a hub of innovation and culture, making it an important destination for both business and leisure travelers. This meets our customers’ travel needs and supports our growth plans in North America. Together with Air France and our partner Delta Air Lines, we offer a wide range of destinations across North America. We remain committed to delivering seamless, high-quality travel experiences across the Atlantic.”