Further updates on Insideflyer.nl

Would you like to be updated about the progress of KLM's World Business Class retrofit? Check out the English section at Insideflyer.nl for all the latest news!

UPDATE World Business Class Seat Modification Boeing 777-300ER fleet KLM

For an update on the retrofit of the Boeing 777-300ER fleet of KLM with the new full flat World Business Class seat, please see this link: Insideflyer.nl

Update May 2015

Since the last update, the following aircraft have been modified:

• PH-BQC
• PH-BQF
• PH-BQG

PH-BQD is up next.

What is very interesting is that the two newest Boeing 777-300ERs (B77W) have been delivered from the factory with the new WBC seat! The specific aircraft are PH-BVN and PH-BVO. 

This means that when you have a flight with a 77W, you also have a chance on the full flat configuration.

Important is to note that existing 77Ws will not be retrofitted until atleast the 772 fleet is completed. New aircraft will be delivered with the new seat type. 

Update March 2015

PH-BQE has finished modification. PH-BQF is currently being retrofitted.
There are now 3 Boeing 777-200ERs with the new Diamond seat in World Business Class.

Update February 2015

The second refitted Boeing 777-200ER has left the hangar. PH-BQA now features the full flat Diamond seat in World Business Class.

PH-BQE is currently in the hangar for the retrofit.

Update refit schedule

KLM plans to refit the remaining 14 B772’s with the new WBC and Economy interiors from February next year at a pace of approximately one aircraft per 3 weeks.

The, currently only, refitted PH-BQB has flown to a variety of destinations, including Cairo, Panama City, Lima, New York and Johannesburg . I do not see a trend in this so you are best of checking very close to departure if you will get this aircraft on a specific flight instead of relying on it on a dedicated route. You can do this with the tutorials I have written about here (click).

Alternatively, you can use the new KLM website which gives a breakdown of various data (aircraft, crew, mealservices) per specific flight and date. You can consult the tool here (click). I don’t have any idea about its accurateness at the moment, but as with everything in the transport section, you might encounter changes at the last minute due to a variety of reasons.  This tool is the most accurate close to departure, as are the other methods described in my tutorials 

Seatmap B772 with new WBC published

KLM has published the seatmap for the refurbished Boeing 777-200ER aircraft which feature the new World Business Class.
Almost the entire interior has been revamped, with new seats in both classes and also changes in galley and toilet locations.
The new configuration features 34 full flat seats in WBC, 40 Economy Comfort seats and 242 seats in regular Economy (vs 35/34/249). Unfortunately, due to the increased space per WBC seat, KLM has decided to make the seatingarrangement in Economy 3-4-3 instead of the old 3-3-3. This certainly will have an impact on your travel comfort.
As you can see, the WBC cabin now extends behind door 2, with a mini cabin of only one row. This might be very private but could also be more hectic due to the close proximity to the Economy cabin (with bulkhead with bassinets behind, separating the cabins), a toilet and the galley.
KLM also removed one toilet in Y and I hope they will keep the one near door 2 exclusively for WBC passengers. Also note there are no pairs of seats anymore in the reconfigured aircraft.
In Economy, there is a new seat, for which KLM is the launch customer. The seat, by Recaro, is a slim-line model and has adapted traytables and seatpockets. The inflight entertainment system is also upgraded, and now features a 9-inch touchscreen in HD.

New seatmap

Old seatmap

First modified B772 enters service

Modification on PH-BQB has been completed. The aircraft will enter service on the 14th of November. The first scheduled flight is KL869 to Fukuoka (FUK).

Progress 11-11-2014

All Boeing 747-400s and 747 Combi's are refitted with the new seat.

The first Boeing 777-200ER, PH-BQB, is in the hangar undergoing the refit.

How this site works

The main information on this site can be found by clicking on the subpages on the menubar on top of this page. There I list all aircraft types and their progress of modification. If they are not in modification yet, I explain what other Business Class seat is featured on that aircraft.

Furthermore I give a tutorial on how to find out if your flight is operated by a refitted aircraft. Also, there is a list of confirmed routes which feature the new WBC and a list of routes where you may find the new WBC, depending on aircraft.

Lastly, I give a quick synopsis of the seat and its features.

Those pages are the most important source for information and contain all data bundled - hopefully- comprehensively and at a single glance.

If there is a change, such as an aircraft entering or finishing modifications, I will post a quick update in the form of a blog article on the landing (home) page. Simultaneously I will update the respective page to reflect that change and keep it current.

Hopefully that way it is best for my readers to follow the modifications easily.