KLM goes orange on a Boeing 777-300

Shows the world the colour the country loves

KLM has introduced its unique orange-coloured Boeing 777-300.

Anyone who has ever spent time in the Netherlands will know that the country loves the colour orange.

Visit the country or be anywhere near Dutch people at national events and you will be overwhelmed by orange t-shirts, orange flags, orange hats, orange wigs and other orange things you could not imagine.

It is even more special at major sporting events like the World Cup and the Olympics. So watch out for massive splashes of orange at the Rio Olympics this summer when the Netherlands takes part. Expect it in particular at swimming and hockey.

The biggest event though is King’s Day.

Google it and you get a flavour, be in Amsterdam and you will … have a good time.

I lived in Amsterdam for about a year, my other half is Dutch, my other family is Dutch and I spend a lot of time in the Netherlands. I know about the Dutch and orange. Still don’t understand it!

KLM is also very Dutch. It is the Dutch national carrier but it’s colour is very blue.

The Dutch flag is red, white and blue (a different blue from the KLM blue).

Where is all this leading?

KLM has introduced into service a Boeing 777 which is painted mainly orange with red and blue stripes and a lot of white.

KLM-orange-777

The transition from the blue at the back of the aircraft to the orange covering most of it emphasises KLM’s Dutch roots and pride in the national colour of the Netherlands.

The introduction of the special aircraft was partly prompted by a social media post KLM published on King’s Day 2015. At the time, KLM’s followers were presented with a picture of an orange aircraft, along with the question: “Should we colour orange next year on King’s Day? #OrangeExperience”. 30,000 likes and 2,500 positive responses later, KLM rolls out its only orange aircraft.

KLM will deploy the orange Boeing 777 on routine flights within the network and, whenever possible, during events that offer opportunities to promote the Netherlands. The aircraft will debut this summer and will be in operation on the Rio de Janeiro-Amsterdam route during the Olympic Games.

On 22 August, KLM will use its orange Boeing to operate the “Medal Flight” that brings the Dutch Olympic heroes home!

Painting procedure
335 litres of paint were used to spray the aircraft orange fading into KLM’s distinctive blue. Applying the colours in multiple, thin layers, requires less paint and the sustainable, chromate-free paint can be easily washed off. The colours of the Dutch flag have been incorporated in the transition between orange and blue, completing the aircraft’s Dutch image. It took a team of 35 people four days to spray on the orange livery.

More about the KLM Boeing 777-300
The KLM version of the Boeing 777-300 has a completely revamped interior, with full-flat seats in World Business Class and more legroom in Economy Class, ensuring greater comfort for passengers. In addition, the inflight entertainment system has been fully renewed and adapted throughout the cabin. By the end of this year, KLM will have replaced more than 80% of its intercontinental aircraft cabin interiors.

N.B. Image credit: KLM

Internet links

KLM (KL)