Key Takeaways
• From July to October 2025, Air France pilots will operate KLM Boeing 777 flights between Amsterdam and New York-JFK.
• The wet-lease partnership addresses a serious pilot shortage and is approved by US Department of Transportation authorities.
• KLM faces pilot absences, increased part-time work, and fleet disruptions, risking more grounded planes if shortages persist to 2027.
KLM Faces Pilot Shortage: Air France Pilots to Operate Boeing 777 Flights to New York-JFK
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines is taking a big step this summer to keep its important flights running between Amsterdam Schiphol and New York John F. Kennedy International Airport. From July 1 to October 31, 2025, some KLM flights on this busy route will use Air France pilots instead of KLM pilots, but the planes and cabin crew will still be from KLM. This has never happened before and shows just how tough things have become for airlines all over the world.
KLM and Air France are known for working closely together, but this kind of swap highlights deeper issues in Europe’s airline industry. The main problem is a pilot shortage that is now so serious it is affecting daily operations and flights many travelers rely on.
What’s Happening — Key Details
- Who? KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Air France, and mainly pilots and cabin crew from both airlines.
- What? Air France pilots will fly KLM’s Boeing 777 planes on the Amsterdam to New York route, with KLM cabin crew on board.
- When? From July 1 until October 31, 2025 — the peak summer travel season.
- Where? Between Amsterdam Schiphol Airport in the Netherlands 🇳🇱 and New York JFK International Airport in the United States 🇺🇸.
- Why? Because KLM does not have enough pilots to keep up with flight demand, especially in the summer.
- How? Through a “wet-lease” agreement, approved by United States 🇺🇸 authorities, where Air France provides pilots and covers operational duties while KLM supplies the planes and cabin staff.
Let’s take a closer look at why KLM has reached this point and what this could mean for the future of flying between Europe and North America.
The Pilot Shortage: Why Is KLM Running Out of Pilots?
The main reason behind this major shift is a growing pilot shortage. KLM is not the only airline facing this problem, but the effects are starting to show up in big ways at the airline’s home base. According to sources, KLM now has more pilots than ever before, but they still can’t fill all needed positions when it matters most. Here’s why:
- More Pilots Call in Sick: There has been a clear rise in the number of KLM pilots taking sick leave. Even a small change in how many pilots are off at any time can leave flights without enough crew.
- Switch to Part-Time Work: Many KLM pilots are moving from full-time to part-time work, roughly costing the airline about 50 full-time pilot positions every year. This means fewer pilots are available when the airline needs them, especially during peak periods.
- Legal Worker Protections: In the Netherlands 🇳🇱, there are strong legal rules making it hard for the airline to stop pilots from going part-time. These protections are good for work-life balance, but they make it tough for leaders to solve the shortage quickly.
Because of these problems, KLM has had to ground several large planes and cancel flights that would otherwise bring in important income. The airline has already lost millions in revenue, and customers sometimes face sudden changes to their travel plans.
The issue gets worse as staffing challenges force KLM to ground extra planes, including seven Boeing 787 Dreamliners recently. These groundings are not just because of the pilot shortage, but also because of maintenance problems. As more planes sit unused, the pressure on the airline grows even more.
Air France Collaboration: How the New Arrangement Works
To cope with these challenges and keep an important transatlantic route open, KLM turned to its long-time partner, Air France. Together, they came up with a solution known as a wet-lease. This simply means Air France provides both the pilots and the operational control, while KLM supplies the plane — in this case, the Boeing 777 — and the inflight crew who serve passengers.
Here’s how the deal breaks down:
- KLM “Lends” a Boeing 777 to Air France: Air France puts this plane on its own operating certificate for the summer.
- Air France Pilots Take the Controls: Air France pilots sit in the cockpit and fly the plane on behalf of KLM.
- KLM Cabin Crew Remain Onboard: Passengers still see KLM uniforms and standard service in the cabin, and the experience on the ground and in the air should feel the same.
- Flights Run Every Day: The Amsterdam to New York JFK schedule remains steady, giving travelers reliability for one of KLM’s most important international routes.
- Official Approval: The United States Department of Transportation approved this wet-lease setup, making sure it follows official airline rules.
A leader of SNPL, the union for France’s pilots, called the partnership a “win-win” during these peak months. This setup gives Air France pilots more work and helps KLM keep up with strong summer demand, avoiding further losses.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, these kinds of airline partnerships are becoming more common as staffing shortages spread through the industry. By working together, KLM and Air France not only help each other but also keep passengers moving between Europe and the United States 🇺🇸 during one of the busiest times of the year.
The Bigger Picture: What’s Behind the Shortage and What Comes Next?
The pilot shortage is only one problem for KLM. When we look at the bigger picture, we find several more hurdles:
- Intercontinental Capacity Is Still Down: Even years after the COVID-19 pandemic began, KLM’s flights across continents are only at 90% of what they once were. Problems getting enough aircraft parts, as well as trouble with pilot numbers, keep the airline from fully bouncing back.
- Fleet Changes and Training Needs: KLM is moving its short-haul fleet from old Boeing 737s to new Airbus A321neos. This swap is good in the long run, but it means the airline has to train a lot of pilots for the new planes. While pilots are in training, they can’t fly normal schedules, which tightens the shortage.
- Future Warnings: Industry experts predict that unless something changes, KLM and similar airlines may have to ground even more planes as soon as 2027. If enough new pilots aren’t hired and trained, the shortage could be even worse in the coming years.
The Amsterdam–New York route is a major battleground for airlines. KLM now runs 18 flights per week between these two cities. Delta Air Lines, which works closely with KLM, offers 14 flights weekly. JetBlue Airways, a newer competitor, has 7 flights each week. This strong competition means that keeping up service, no matter what, is very important for KLM.
What Does This Mean for Passengers, Pilots, and the Industry?
For Passengers:
Travelers booking this summer between Amsterdam and New York will likely not notice the swap — KLM’s name stays on the ticket, and the experience should feel familiar. Still, some may wonder about the difference, especially if they meet French-speaking pilots or see Air France on the plane’s paperwork.
For Pilots and Airline Staff:
This situation is a reminder that more airlines will need creative solutions as work habits change and legal rules protect part-time options. For pilots, especially those considering part-time, this trend might offer new freedom and choices, but also changes to how crews are scheduled.
For Airlines and Industry Leaders:
This cross-crew deal could become a model for other airlines. By sharing staff and taking advantage of close partnerships, airlines may keep flights running during tough times without overworking their own teams. But real, long-term answers will likely include:
- Training more pilots faster
- Making aviation jobs more appealing to new generations
- Adjusting legal rules when needed, while respecting workers’ rights
Why Is There a Pilot Shortage Everywhere?
The pilot shortage is not limited to the Netherlands 🇳🇱 or the KLM group. Other airlines in Europe and across the world are having trouble for many of the same reasons. Here’s why:
- Training Takes Time: Becoming a pilot can take years. With many older pilots retiring and not as many young workers replacing them, a gap has formed.
- Changing Work Preferences: More pilots than ever want flexible or part-time work, especially after the pandemic showed the value of more time at home.
- Higher Sickness Rates: The average age of pilots has gone up, and health issues can bench experienced staff for long periods.
- Flight Schools Slowed by COVID-19: When the pandemic started, many flight schools paused their operations, causing a backup in new pilot training that is still being felt today.
For KLM, these forces come together in a way that is hard to fix quickly.
The Future: Can KLM Overcome Its Pilot Shortage?
The wet-lease with Air France is only a short-term answer. For long-term success, KLM and other airlines must solve the root causes of their pilot shortage. Possible steps include:
- Recruiting More Pilots: KLM and its partners will need to ramp up hiring and maybe offer better pay or benefits.
- Speeding up Training: The move to Airbus planes means lots of retraining, but easier pathways and stronger training programs may help.
- Working with Unions: Dutch and French pilot unions both want fair treatment for workers and safe, reliable operations. Working together, they might find smarter ways to balance part-time desires with airline needs.
If these challenges are not met, forecasts show KLM could have to leave even more planes on the ground starting in 2027, which directly affects jobs, ticket prices, and the ability to compete on long-haul routes.
Government Oversight and Official Information
It is important to remember that such arrangements between airlines must get approval from authorities, especially when flights cross borders. For example, the wet-lease plan needed a green light from the US Department of Transportation. If you are curious about cross-airline flights and global rules, the US Department of Transportation’s Air Carrier Authority page shares official updates and airline permits.
In Summary
KLM’s use of Air France pilots on its Boeing 777 flights between Amsterdam and New York-JFK is a creative answer to a growing, industry-wide pilot shortage. This partnership ensures that KLM keeps up service to its most important international markets during the summer, even as staffing challenges and airplane maintenance issues pile up. While passengers may not notice much difference, the move is a clear sign that airlines are having to find new ways to solve old problems.
Still, this fix does not end the pilot shortage. Without more training, hiring, and changes in how pilots are managed, KLM and other major airlines may face even tougher choices in the next few years.
If you are considering travel on these routes or are interested in airline careers, keep an eye on developments like these — they show just how much teamwork, planning, and adaptation are now needed in the world’s skies. For more analysis and updates on global airline staffing and travel trends, sources like VisaVerge.com regularly cover stories shaping the future of aviation.
Learn Today
Wet-lease → A leasing arrangement where one airline provides aircraft and operational crew to another airline, including pilots and maintenance.
Boeing 777 → A long-range, wide-body twin-engine passenger aircraft used by KLM and Air France for international flights.
Cabin Crew → Flight attendants responsible for in-flight passenger service, safety, and comfort on airline flights.
Pilot Shortage → A lack of qualified pilots available to operate scheduled airline flights, impacting operational reliability and scheduling.
US Department of Transportation → The United States federal agency that regulates airline operations and approves international flight partnerships and agreements.
This Article in a Nutshell
KLM’s urgent summer move—using Air France pilots on Boeing 777 flights to New York—highlights a global pilot shortage and airline adaptation. This unprecedented partnership ensures reliable transatlantic services and underscores the airline industry’s need for creative staffing solutions, regulatory collaboration, and rapid training as workforce challenges intensify sector-wide.
— By VisaVerge.com
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