KLM Royal Dutch Airlines is launching flights between Amsterdam and San Diego. The launch of service to San Diego International Airport (SAN) will be the 22nd North American destination for the Dutch flag carrier from it’s hub at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport (AMS).
Flights between Amsterdam and San Diego will operate 3x weekly on a year-round basis utilizing Boeing 787-9 aircraft featuring 30 Business Class, 21 seats Premium Economy and 224 Economy seats beginning on May 8th, 2025. Flights will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays on the following schedule:
Amsterdam (AMS) to San Diego (SAN)
KL 639 Departs: 9:50a Arrives: 12:00p
San Diego (SAN) to Amsterdam (AMS)
KL 640 Departs: 1:55p Arrives: 9:15a (+1)
Being based in Austin, I’ve had the chance to fly on KLM’s Boeing 787s many times as the carrier also links Amsterdam and Austin 3x weekly. I’ve always found the experience to be pleasant and onward connections in Amsterdam are much easier when compared to the other major connecting hubs of London Heathrow, Paris Charles de Gaulle, and Frankfurt.
According to the airline’s press release, the San Diego market is one of the largest unserved transatlantic markets for the Air France, KLM, Delta and Virgin Atlantic joint venture. Prior to the announcement of this service, SkyTeam was the only airline alliance without transatlantic service to San Diego. British Airways and Lufthansa both operate to the Southern California city.
This route should be a home run for the airline thanks to San Diego’s mild, year round, climate and its position as the third largest metropolitan area in California. Companies in the semiconductor, aerospace, defense and pharmaceutical industries also have large operations in and around the city which should provide a good mix of leisure and business traffic.
Summary
KLM is launching flights between Amsterdam and San Diego beginning in May 2025. The Southern California city will become KLM’s 22nd destination in North America and will see year round, 3x weekly service using Boeing 787-9 aircraft. With the addition of this route, SkyTeam becomes the last of the Big 3 airline alliances to offer transatlantic service to San Diego.
