Air France-KLM Nears Decision on Boeing 777-300ER Replacement

Air France-KLM S.A. (Air France-KLM) is approaching a decision on a replacement for its fleet of 59 Boeing 777-300ER (Extended Range) aircraft. Group CEO Ben Smith stated during a February 19 earnings call that a decision would likely be made "sooner rather than later."

Strategic Importance and Financial Context

The move is a critical part of the group's broader fleet transformation strategy, aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and capitalizing on strong travel demand, particularly in premium cabins. This decision follows a year of record financial performance, with the group reporting an operating profit of over €2 billion in 2025, according to its annual results.

Fleet Details and Potential Replacements

The current long-haul fleet consists of 43 Boeing 777-300ERs operated by Air France and 16 by KLM, as reported by FlightGlobal. Smith identified the Airbus A350-1000 and the Boeing 777-9 as the two primary contenders for the order, noting that the status of manufacturer order books is a key consideration in the decision-making process.

The airline group's strong financial position supports the fleet renewal initiative. According to the company's Full Year 2025 Results, total revenues reached €33.007 billion, with premium cabins accounting for a significant 36.2% of passenger revenue. The group transported 102.8 million passengers during the year.

Broader Modernization Goals

This potential order aligns with Air France-KLM's strategic goal to significantly modernize its operations. At the end of December 2025, new-generation aircraft comprised 35% of the total fleet. The company aims to increase this share to 80% by 2030. This strategy is consistent with the industry-wide trend of replacing older aircraft to reduce fuel consumption by up to 25% and lower overall noise emissions.

While a specific timeline for the order was not disclosed, the group's commentary suggests a decision is imminent. The new aircraft will be instrumental in helping Air France-KLM achieve its target of an operating margin of over 8% by 2028, an increase from the 6.1% margin recorded in 2025.

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