Air France-KLM Accelerates Plan for 777-300ER Replacement

Air France-KLM is moving to accelerate its decision on a replacement for its large fleet of Boeing 777-300 Extended Range (777-300ER) aircraft. The group, which operates a combined total of 59 of the wide-body jets across its two main carriers, signaled that a decision is forthcoming as part of a major airline fleet transformation. The move is driven by tightening availability for new aircraft production slots at both Airbus and Boeing.

The urgency was highlighted by Air France-KLM Group Chief Executive Ben Smith during a February 19, 2026 earnings call. “We are going to look at – probably sooner rather than later – a replacement for our long-haul Boeing 777-300ER aircraft when you look at how the order books are at both Airbus and Boeing,” Smith stated. This proactive approach to aging aircraft replacement underscores the competitive pressure on airlines to secure future deliveries years in advance.

The group’s current 777-300ER fleet is a cornerstone of its long-haul operations, with Air France operating 43 units and Dutch carrier Koninklijke Luchtvaart Maatschappij (KLM) operating 16. Some of Air France's highest-density configurations seat up to 472 passengers, making the choice of a successor critical for maintaining capacity on key routes. The decision comes as the group enjoys a strong financial position, having reported annual revenues of €33 billion and an operating profit exceeding €2 billion for 2025, according to its Full Year 2025 Results. In 2025, the group carried nearly 103 million passengers.

Fleet Modernization Context

The potential order is a central element of the group's strategy to modernize its fleet, improve airline fuel efficiency, and meet ambitious aviation sustainability goals. As of December 2025, new-generation aircraft comprised 35% of the Air France-KLM fleet. The company has a stated target of increasing this share to 80% by 2030. This transition is critical for reducing operating costs and environmental impact, as newer models can be up to 25% more fuel-efficient than the aircraft they replace.

The average age of the group's operational fleet was 12.1 years at the end of 2024. Replacing the 777-300ERs is a logical next step in lowering this average and achieving greater airline operational efficiency. The strategy also aligns with an industry-wide trend of fleet simplification, which reduces complexity in maintenance, crew training, and spare parts inventory.

The Contenders: A350 vs. 777X

CEO Ben Smith explicitly identified the two primary Boeing 777-300ER replacement options under evaluation: the Airbus A350-1000 and the Boeing 777-9, the larger variant of the new 777X family. The choice between these two aircraft represents a significant decision point in the competitive long-haul aircraft market.

An order for the Airbus A350 would build on the group's existing relationship with the European manufacturer. Air France already operates the smaller A350-900 variant, which would offer crew and maintenance commonality. An order for the Boeing 777X would represent a continuation of the group's long history with the 777 family, providing a direct successor from the same manufacturer.

The decision will likely depend on a combination of factors, including price, performance guarantees, delivery timelines, and engine maintenance agreements. Given the well-documented aircraft manufacturing backlogs at both companies, securing favorable delivery slots is a primary motivator for the accelerated decision-making process.

What Comes Next

While Air France-KLM has not provided a specific timeline for the order, the CEO's comments suggest an announcement could be made in the near future. A large wide-body order of this magnitude typically involves months of detailed negotiations. The final decision will secure the group's long-haul capacity for the next decade and beyond, locking in deliveries that will likely begin in the late 2020s and extend into the 2030s.

Why This Matters

This impending order represents one of the most significant wide-body aircraft competitions in recent years. For Air France-KLM, it is a multi-billion-dollar investment that will define its long-haul fleet strategy and operational efficiency for decades. For the manufacturers, securing this order from a premier European airline group would be a major strategic victory, shaping market share in the lucrative large aircraft segment.

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