KLM has installed the first Airbus A350 flight simulator to be based in the Netherlands, as the airline gears up for the aircraft’s launch in 2026.
On October 3, 2025, the airline confirmed that the advanced simulator is now ready to use, with the first A350 pilots expected to begin training shortly.
In 2023, the Air France-KLM Group announced an order for 50 Airbus A350 aircraft, comprised of both A350-900s and A350-1000s aircraft, accompanied by options for an additional 40 units.
At the time, Air France-KLM CEO Benjamin Smith said: “This new order will be a major step in the renewal of the Group’s fleet. The Airbus A350 is a state-of-the-art aircraft with an excellent track record at Air France, where it has rapidly become a favorite among passengers and crew since its entry into service in 2019.”
The new simulator was built by CAE in Montreal, Canada, where the cockpit and systems underwent extensive testing before it was shipped to Europe in parts.
According to KLM, the installation presented a logistical challenge due to the size of the simulator. It couldn’t pass through the main gate and had to be hoisted over a fence.
The simulator is positioned at the KLM facility in Schiphol-East, which is a short distance away from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS).
