It’s the stuff that airliners’ dreams are made of. Air France-KLM to order 160 short and medium-haul jets In July. With them, the group wants to replace about 50 Boeing 737s from KLM and older Boeing 737s from French and Dutch cheap subsidiary Transavia.

For the first time, Air France-KLM made central decisions on the major command. Boeing was in pole position as KLM flew with American jets. But Airbus thought it had opportunities because of the close ties between Air France and the Europeans. Recently it was called by KLM said it was “a really close race”.

Airbus A320 Neo and A321 Neo up to 160

But in the end the Europeans won. On Thursday (16 December) the Board of Directors of Air France-KLM decided to place the order on Airbus. The group is procuring 100 aircraft from the A320 Neo family and is acquiring purchase rights for 60 more.

“The order includes Airbus A320 Neo and Airbus A321 Neo type aircraft,” says Air France-KLM. “The first deliveries are expected in the second half of 2023.” The aircraft will be used on medium-haul routes in Europe, notably Amsterdam–Schiphol, KLM’s global hub and Transavia Netherlands main base, as well as Paris-Orly, Transavia France’s main base. The company is yet to comment on the cabin configuration.

Air France-KLM also used the A350 F. reserves the option

but that’s not all. Air France-KLM also signed a letter of intent for the purchase of four A350 freighters. “Against the background of steady and sustainable growth in air freight demand, this order will enhance the freight capacity of Air France-KLM,” explains the group.

However, the company also agreed with Airbus that Air France could do without the A350 passenger planes if Air France-KLM orders A350 freighters. The French airline already operates twelve A350 passenger jets and has ordered 26 more.

In the picture gallery above you can see what the ordered jet should look like.