Austin (AUS) Gets New KLM Nonstop Service to Amsterdam (AMS)

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport will soon have a new, nonstop connection to the Dutch capital city of Amsterdam (AMS).

Starting March 28, 2022, KLM will operate the route for the first time.

“We are excited to expand our service and inaugurate the first scheduled service between Austin and Amsterdam,” said Eric Caron, Senior Vice President and General Manager of North American for Air France/KLM.

The news comes soon after U.K. long-haul carrier Virgin Atlantic also announced it would also be inaugurating flights to Austin (AUS).

Here’s what we know so far.

Nonstop From Austin (AUS) to Amsterdam (AMS)

As of Monday, March 28, KLM will send one of its Boeing 787 Dreamliners to Austin 3 times per week on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

The schedule is as follows:

• Depart Austin 6 p.m. — Arrive Amsterdam 10:15 a.m. (+1) 
• Depart Amsterdam 12:50 p.m. — Arrive Austin 4:05 p.m.

KLM’s route to Austin (AUS) will be its second to the state of Texas, complimenting the incumbent route to Houston (IAH).

The Dreamliner 787-9 variant that will operate the route has 30 lie-flat seats in World Business (KLM’s business class) in a 1-2-1 configuration, as well as 48 standard recliner seats in Economy Comfort (premium economy), and 216 seats in economy, both of which are configured in a 3-3-3 configuration.

The business class product on KLM’s Dreamliner is a significant improvement to the older, 2-2-2-configured version found on its Boeing 777 aircraft.

Hot Tip: Learn about the best ways to book KLM business class with points in our step-by-step guide!

KLM to the Netherlands and Beyond

The new airline and its new route will bring a host of new travel possibilities for Texans wishing to explore Amsterdam, the Netherlands, and beyond. This is because KLM’s hub, Amsterdam-Schiphol Airport, is one of the main transfer hubs in Europe, if not the world.

“Offering direct service to European cities is a huge priority for AUS and this is a milestone we’ve been eager to meet since May of 2020,” said Jaqueline Yaft, Chief Executive Officer of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.

The airline’s schedule is intended to give passengers the maximum number of transfer opportunities possible once they’ve arrived in Amsterdam.

KLM has the widest regional and international network within Europe of any full-service carrier. An example of such is its nonstop flights to 17 regional airports in the U.K. — that’s double the routes that British Airways flies from London.

Hot Tip: Want to fly KLM to Amsterdam or beyond but not sure how? There are a bunch of ways you can earn Air France-KLM Flying Blue miles and get on your way before you know it.

Final Thoughts

Austin is clearly ranked as a priority destination for international airlines.

First Virgin and now KLM — Texans living close to Austin are heading into 2022 with more travel possibilities than before the pandemic.

Which will be next? Emirates, perhaps?