La Grande Dame

There are many different types of aircraft in the KLM fleet, each with its own history and characteristics. For example, there’s the Boeing 747 – an aircraft that KLM has now been flying for 40 years. One of the first-officers piloting KLM’s 747-400 once referred to her affectionately as ‘La Grande Dame’ or ‘Great Lady’. The name stuck. It’s a very appropriate name, for the 747 is certainly a dame.

La Grande Dame: B747-400

So what makes this dame so special? Well, here are a few facts. She’s made up of no less than six million parts. Her tail stands 19.4 metres high. She has 16 main landing gear tyres plus two nose landing gear tyres. And that’s to say nothing of 274 kilometres of wiring and 8 kilometres of tubing running around her interior. Each of her wings has an area of 524.9 square metres, ending in a winglet 1.8 metres high. And they weigh no less than 43,060 kilograms each. The engines, of which there are four, produce 28,710 kilograms of thrust. Each of them weighs 5,000 kilograms and has a diameter of 2.6 metres.

This ‘Grande Dame’ is also rather fond of bling: her state-of-the-art ‘glass’ flight deck features no less than 365 lights, meters and buttons. What’s more, her fuel capacity of 240,000 litres enables her to fly extremely long distances. And a further 12,500 litres of fuel can be carried in the horizontal stabilizer of the 747-400 combi (which combines passenger and freight transport).

Up to now, 747s have flown 77.8 billion kilometres, which is roughly the equivalent of 101,500 trips to the moon, and back. So far, worldwide, the ‘Grande Dame’ has carried about 3.5 billion passengers, equivalent to roughly half the world’s population.

The 747-400 has an average take-off speed of 290 km/h and a landing speed of 260 km/h. She cruises at 910 km/h. On average, she flies for 13 hours a day at a maximum altitude of 13 kilometres. On a regular intercontinental flight she will generally take with her 5,000 kilograms of food and 50,000 in-flight service items. The maximum take-off weight is 412,000 kilograms while the 747’s maximum range is 14,297 kilometres.

Impressed?

KLM has six 747-400 passenger aircraft, sixteen combis and four ERF freighters, all named after cities around the world. Have you flown in one of these grand ladies? And do you still remember her name? Or do you perhaps even know all 22 names? Impress us with your knowledge!

Karin
Corporate Communications

Posted by:   KLM  | 
Join the conversation Show comments

Harry Janssen

Was flying on sunday 23 January back from Curacao to Amsterdam (the Netherlands) with the Boeing 747 wit the name: Atlanta.
Pleasant flight. Only there was one moment with heavy turbulence.

Harry Janssen (Vilnius, Lithuania)

Harry Janssen

Was flying on sunday 23 January back from Curacao to Amsterdam (the Netherlands) with the Boeing 747 wit the name: Atlanta.
Pleasant flight. Only there was one moment with heavy turbulence.

Harry Janssen (Vilnius, Lithuania)

Bordás Attila

I was flying from Amsterdam to Los Angeles on the City of Atlanta. It was a pleasure, it really was :)

Bordás Attila

I was flying from Amsterdam to Los Angeles on the City of Atlanta. It was a pleasure, it really was :)

Ralph

First intercontinental flight for me was on the PH-BFG City of Guayaquil in 2008. Very special

Ralph

First intercontinental flight for me was on the PH-BFG City of Guayaquil in 2008. Very special

Arwin

Callsign Type City of…

1 PH-BFA Boeing 747-406 Atlanta
2 PH-BFB Boeing 747-406 Bangkok
3 PH-BFC Boeing 747-406BC Calgary
4 PH-BFD Boeing 747-406BC Dubai
5 PH-BFE Boeing 747-406BC Melbourne
6 PH-BFF Boeing 747-406BC Freetown
7 PH-BFG Boeing 747-406 Guayaquil
8 PH-BFH Boeing 747-406BC Hong Kong
9 PH-BFI Boeing 747-406BC Jakarta
10 PH-BFK Boeing 747-406BC Karachi
11 PH-BFL Boeing 747-406 Lima
12 PH-BFM Boeing 747-406BC Mexico
13 PH-BFN Boeing 747-406 Nairobi
14 PH-BFO Boeing 747-406BC Orlando
15 PH-BFP Boeing 747-406BC Paramaribo
16 PH-BFR Boeing 747-406BC Rio de Janeiro
17 PH-BFS Boeing 747-406BC Seoul
18 PH-BFT Boeing 747-406BC Tokyo
19 PH-BFU Boeing 747-406BC Beijing
20 PH-BFV Boeing 747-406BC Vancouver
21 PH-BFW Boeing 747-406BC Shanghai
22 PH-BFY Boeing 747-406BC Johannesburg

23 PH-CKA Boeing 747-406F Eendracht
24 PH-CKB Boeing 747-406F Leeuwin
25 PH-CKC Boeing 747-406F Oranje
26 PH-CKD Boeing 747-406F Wapen van Amsterdam

KLM

Well done you’ve got them all!

vMinnen

7 of them are being operated by KLM Asia: PH-BFC
1989
City of Calgary

PH-BFD
1989
City of Dubai

PH-BFF
1990
City of Freetown

PH-BFH
1990
City of Hongkong

PH-BFM
1992
Mexico-city

PH-BFP
1993
City of Paramaribo

PH-BFY
2002
City of Johannesburg

vMinnen

7 of them are being operated by KLM Asia: PH-BFC
1989
City of Calgary

PH-BFD
1989
City of Dubai

PH-BFF
1990
City of Freetown

PH-BFH
1990
City of Hongkong

PH-BFM
1992
Mexico-city

PH-BFP
1993
City of Paramaribo

PH-BFY
2002
City of Johannesburg

Arwin

Callsign Type City of…

1 PH-BFA Boeing 747-406 Atlanta
2 PH-BFB Boeing 747-406 Bangkok
3 PH-BFC Boeing 747-406BC Calgary
4 PH-BFD Boeing 747-406BC Dubai
5 PH-BFE Boeing 747-406BC Melbourne
6 PH-BFF Boeing 747-406BC Freetown
7 PH-BFG Boeing 747-406 Guayaquil
8 PH-BFH Boeing 747-406BC Hong Kong
9 PH-BFI Boeing 747-406BC Jakarta
10 PH-BFK Boeing 747-406BC Karachi
11 PH-BFL Boeing 747-406 Lima
12 PH-BFM Boeing 747-406BC Mexico
13 PH-BFN Boeing 747-406 Nairobi
14 PH-BFO Boeing 747-406BC Orlando
15 PH-BFP Boeing 747-406BC Paramaribo
16 PH-BFR Boeing 747-406BC Rio de Janeiro
17 PH-BFS Boeing 747-406BC Seoul
18 PH-BFT Boeing 747-406BC Tokyo
19 PH-BFU Boeing 747-406BC Beijing
20 PH-BFV Boeing 747-406BC Vancouver
21 PH-BFW Boeing 747-406BC Shanghai
22 PH-BFY Boeing 747-406BC Johannesburg

23 PH-CKA Boeing 747-406F Eendracht
24 PH-CKB Boeing 747-406F Leeuwin
25 PH-CKC Boeing 747-406F Oranje
26 PH-CKD Boeing 747-406F Wapen van Amsterdam

KLM

Well done you’ve got them all!

vMinnen

7 of them are being operated by KLM Asia: PH-BFC
1989
City of Calgary

PH-BFD
1989
City of Dubai

PH-BFF
1990
City of Freetown

PH-BFH
1990
City of Hongkong

PH-BFM
1992
Mexico-city

PH-BFP
1993
City of Paramaribo

PH-BFY
2002
City of Johannesburg

Tattoopjotr

I flew twice on this great plane. First on the city of Atlanta and back on the ph bfh.
That was a bit of a disapointment because that was the only plane
That wasn’t upgraded with ptv. In june i’m flying to aruba also with KLM
and het 747-400 GREAT!!!!

Tattoopjotr

I flew twice on this great plane. First on the city of Atlanta and back on the ph bfh.
That was a bit of a disapointment because that was the only plane
That wasn’t upgraded with ptv. In june i’m flying to aruba also with KLM
and het 747-400 GREAT!!!!

Hans Hegeman

I flew on KLM’s 747-400 twice. First flight was on 28 june 2005 with PH-BFB City of Bangkok from Amsterdam to Curacao. My second flight was on 15 july 2005 with PH-BFG from Curacao to Amsterdam. Both flights where very comfortable and I hope to fly on one of them again!

Hans Hegeman

I flew on KLM’s 747-400 twice. First flight was on 28 june 2005 with PH-BFB City of Bangkok from Amsterdam to Curacao. My second flight was on 15 july 2005 with PH-BFG from Curacao to Amsterdam. Both flights where very comfortable and I hope to fly on one of them again!

André

Well my very first flight was on a KLM 747-400, city of hong kong! From ams to lax back in 2005. In 2008 I returned to LAX again with KLM and of course with the great 747. To lax on board PH-BFO and back to ams with PH-BFV. I rembember there was a horse in back of the plane, in the cargo area of the Combi. And in december 2009 I’ve flown to Tokyo with KLM and again with the 747, PH-BFM and returned with PH-BFL.

André

Well my very first flight was on a KLM 747-400, city of hong kong! From ams to lax back in 2005. In 2008 I returned to LAX again with KLM and of course with the great 747. To lax on board PH-BFO and back to ams with PH-BFV. I rembember there was a horse in back of the plane, in the cargo area of the Combi. And in december 2009 I’ve flown to Tokyo with KLM and again with the 747, PH-BFM and returned with PH-BFL.

Redin Katili

My first KLM flight was on KLM Asia B747-400 PH-BFM “City of Mexico” from Jakarta to Amsterdam, and my second KLM B 747-400 flight was on PH-BFL “City of Lima” from Amsterdam to Jakarta, both flights were in 2007.

Redin Katili

My first KLM flight was on KLM Asia B747-400 PH-BFM “City of Mexico” from Jakarta to Amsterdam, and my second KLM B 747-400 flight was on PH-BFL “City of Lima” from Amsterdam to Jakarta, both flights were in 2007.

Andrew

I am a Flying Blue paltinum memeber and log the name of the B747 everytime I fly but only on KLM…………………I have flown on every one of the 747 fleet except Atlanta, Bangkok, Lima, Beijing and Nairobi. The one I have flown on most is Freetown which is 5 times………….Always great fun to fly long haul on KLM

Andrew

I am a Flying Blue paltinum memeber and log the name of the B747 everytime I fly but only on KLM…………………I have flown on every one of the 747 fleet except Atlanta, Bangkok, Lima, Beijing and Nairobi. The one I have flown on most is Freetown which is 5 times………….Always great fun to fly long haul on KLM

Sebastiaan

My first flight in Feb of 1971 on KL 641 AMS-JFK B 747-100 the PH-BUA “Mississippi” and mind you in Royal Class! It was an extraordinary experience after flying lots of miles with DC-8 and Super DC-8. Thru the years flown on all your 747 versions of KLM from the B-747-100 to the B747-200/B 747-300 and B747-400 and now waiting for KLM to order and receive the all new B747-800 Hoping!! And not the uncomfortable triple Seven that I have learn to HATE! My last flight has been KL785 on the PH BFG “City of Guayaquil” to SXM Love this planes KLM please keep them flying. My next trip will be on KL 644 in July and guess what equipment on the late flight out of JFK yes the B-747-400 again, always on row 1AB the best seat in the house.
Thanks KLM please keep them flying airtravel would be no fun without them……….
Regards Sebastiaan

Anthony Poon

Waarom haat U de B777-200 – is dit vliegtuig niet zo comfortabel vergeleken met the B747-400 ?

BTW, KL641/642 & KL643/644 has been operated with a mixture of the B747-400, B777-200 & B777-300ER while in previous summers, they have also operated the JFK flights with MD-11 and A33-200 too….

Sebastiaan

My first flight in Feb of 1971 on KL 641 AMS-JFK B 747-100 the PH-BUA “Mississippi” and mind you in Royal Class! It was an extraordinary experience after flying lots of miles with DC-8 and Super DC-8. Thru the years flown on all your 747 versions of KLM from the B-747-100 to the B747-200/B 747-300 and B747-400 and now waiting for KLM to order and receive the all new B747-800 Hoping!! And not the uncomfortable triple Seven that I have learn to HATE! My last flight has been KL785 on the PH BFG “City of Guayaquil” to SXM Love this planes KLM please keep them flying. My next trip will be on KL 644 in July and guess what equipment on the late flight out of JFK yes the B-747-400 again, always on row 1AB the best seat in the house.
Thanks KLM please keep them flying airtravel would be no fun without them……….
Regards Sebastiaan

Anthony Poon

Waarom haat U de B777-200 – is dit vliegtuig niet zo comfortabel vergeleken met the B747-400 ?

BTW, KL641/642 & KL643/644 has been operated with a mixture of the B747-400, B777-200 & B777-300ER while in previous summers, they have also operated the JFK flights with MD-11 and A33-200 too….

Eljefecesarin

I flew in 2003 at the PH-BFT Mexico-Amsterdam, and PH-BFC Amsterdam – Mexico¡¡¡ Great airplanes, great airline¡¡¡

Eljefecesarin

I flew in 2003 at the PH-BFT Mexico-Amsterdam, and PH-BFC Amsterdam – Mexico¡¡¡ Great airplanes, great airline¡¡¡

Flyingdutchman

Here is the list as a frequent flier between Atlanta and Amsterdam in the eighties i lew several of these widebodies and enjoyed them very much I am a pilot/instructor myself.
Hier is een lijst van de Boeing 747-400 en als een frequente passagier tussen atlanta en Amsterdam in de jaren 80 heb ik diverse van deze modellen gevlogen en heb daar erg van genoten ik ben zelf ook piloot/instrukteur.
PH-BUA City of Atlanta PH-BFD City of Dubai PH-BFE Melbourne
PH-BFH Hong Kong PH-BFI City of jakarta PH-BFK City of Karachi
PH-BFB City of Bangkok PH-BFF Freetown PH-BFG Guayaquil
PH-BFL City of Lima PH-BFO Orlando PH-BFN City of Nairobi
PH-BFM Mexico PH-BFP City of Paramaribo PH-BFR Rio de Janeiro
PH-BFS City of Seoul PH-BFU Beijing PH-BFT City of Tokio
PH-BFV Vancouver PH-BFW Shanghai PH-BFY City of Johannesburg
PH-CKA Eendracht PH-CKB Leeuwin PH-CKC Oranje PH-CKD Wapen van Amsterdam
These last four are freighters de laatste vier zijn vrachtvliegtuigen met vriendelijke groeten

Flyingdutchman

sorry, did not see someone already had a list listed .

Flyingdutchman

Here is the list as a frequent flier between Atlanta and Amsterdam in the eighties i lew several of these widebodies and enjoyed them very much I am a pilot/instructor myself.
Hier is een lijst van de Boeing 747-400 en als een frequente passagier tussen atlanta en Amsterdam in de jaren 80 heb ik diverse van deze modellen gevlogen en heb daar erg van genoten ik ben zelf ook piloot/instrukteur.
PH-BUA City of Atlanta PH-BFD City of Dubai PH-BFE Melbourne
PH-BFH Hong Kong PH-BFI City of jakarta PH-BFK City of Karachi
PH-BFB City of Bangkok PH-BFF Freetown PH-BFG Guayaquil
PH-BFL City of Lima PH-BFO Orlando PH-BFN City of Nairobi
PH-BFM Mexico PH-BFP City of Paramaribo PH-BFR Rio de Janeiro
PH-BFS City of Seoul PH-BFU Beijing PH-BFT City of Tokio
PH-BFV Vancouver PH-BFW Shanghai PH-BFY City of Johannesburg
PH-CKA Eendracht PH-CKB Leeuwin PH-CKC Oranje PH-CKD Wapen van Amsterdam
These last four are freighters de laatste vier zijn vrachtvliegtuigen met vriendelijke groeten

Flyingdutchman

sorry, did not see someone already had a list listed .

Sebastiaan

Cabin Plan of my KL 641 Flight on BUA, Feb 1971 to JFK
Had to dig very deep but found the layout on the PH-BUA
/Users/willem/Desktop/e35f9430-2b1a-012d-c6df-0050569428b1-1.jpg

Enjoy Sebastiaan

Sebastiaan

Cabin Plan of my KL 641 Flight on BUA, Feb 1971 to JFK
Had to dig very deep but found the layout on the PH-BUA
/Users/willem/Desktop/e35f9430-2b1a-012d-c6df-0050569428b1-1.jpg

Enjoy Sebastiaan

Sebastiaan

Sorry here as promissed cabin layout KL 641/ Feb 1971 PH-BUA to JFK

Sebastiaan

Sorry here as promissed cabin layout KL 641/ Feb 1971 PH-BUA to JFK

Dale Lackey Owner PDS AERO INC

I have been in this business all my life and still don’t know what “KLM” stands for….an acronym for ? ?
Dale

Sebastiaan

Koninklijke Luchtvaart Maatschappij in DUTCH/ Royal Dutch Airlines translated for the English speaken folks!
Now you know!! Best Sebas.

Dale Lackey Owner PDS AERO INC

I have been in this business all my life and still don’t know what “KLM” stands for….an acronym for ? ?
Dale

Sebastiaan

Koninklijke Luchtvaart Maatschappij in DUTCH/ Royal Dutch Airlines translated for the English speaken folks!
Now you know!! Best Sebas.

Anthony Poon

The B747-400 is also known as the ‘Queen of the Skies” aside from La Grande Dame !
I have flown mainly on the B747-200SUD’s (B747-300) in KLM’s fleet while they were in the fleet flying out on KL642 from JFK to AMS & back on KL643 to the States on all my travels to The Netherlands.As for the B747-400, I only flew on PH-BFB….

Anthony Poon

The B747-400 is also known as the ‘Queen of the Skies” aside from La Grande Dame !
I have flown mainly on the B747-200SUD’s (B747-300) in KLM’s fleet while they were in the fleet flying out on KL642 from JFK to AMS & back on KL643 to the States on all my travels to The Netherlands.As for the B747-400, I only flew on PH-BFB….

Daniel W. Tiedge

Well I had two flights on the 747-300, both from AMS to SFO in the late 1990s.
In April of 2008 of 2008 I flew on 744 full-pax PH-BFL “City of Lima” as KL0606 SFO-AMS. Was an excellent flight.
A better one I had less than a year later, March 27th, 2009 flying KL0898 PEK-AMS on board of PH-BFH, which at that time was still a combi aircraft. It was an excellent flight and what better way can there be spending half of your birthday airborne. I was seated in the in the very front y-class cabin, which very quiet and with the limited seats also very cozy.

Daniel W. Tiedge

Well I had two flights on the 747-300, both from AMS to SFO in the late 1990s.
In April of 2008 of 2008 I flew on 744 full-pax PH-BFL “City of Lima” as KL0606 SFO-AMS. Was an excellent flight.
A better one I had less than a year later, March 27th, 2009 flying KL0898 PEK-AMS on board of PH-BFH, which at that time was still a combi aircraft. It was an excellent flight and what better way can there be spending half of your birthday airborne. I was seated in the in the very front y-class cabin, which very quiet and with the limited seats also very cozy.

Frobishire

I got engaged to my wife in seats 79A + 79B on the way to New York. The plane was PH-BFV City of Vancouver. Married at Manhatten City Hall 3 Days later and still Happily together.

Frobishire

I got engaged to my wife in seats 79A + 79B on the way to New York. The plane was PH-BFV City of Vancouver. Married at Manhatten City Hall 3 Days later and still Happily together.

Mark in Florida

As an aviation buff, have always admired the KLM 747s when I’ve seen them on tarmacs in various locations, and am finally booked on one! Chicago-Amsterdam enroute to Warsaw. Got a window seat to enjoy the view and am psyched that after being a fairly regular air traveler I finally get to travel aboard the Grand Dame! Have never flown the 747 or KLM before. See you aboard and may even try Meet and Seat for some interesting conversation.

Mark in Florida

As an aviation buff, have always admired the KLM 747s when I’ve seen them on tarmacs in various locations, and am finally booked on one! Chicago-Amsterdam enroute to Warsaw. Got a window seat to enjoy the view and am psyched that after being a fairly regular air traveler I finally get to travel aboard the Grand Dame! Have never flown the 747 or KLM before. See you aboard and may even try Meet and Seat for some interesting conversation.

Tiemen

I am 22 and flew KLM 747-400, if I am not mistaken, 7X in my life (AMS hongkong and back, 3x Ams Tokyo and 2 times back (other was 777 200 from Osaka instead). I never found out any of the names and I find this an interesting article. Anyone knows if there is a way I can trace it back? Every time I flew KLM has been great.

PS I once flew AMS Kuala Lumpur and back in Malaysia Airlines and Tokyo Seoul nd back in Asiana. All 747-400, all good… But they are just not KLM.

Tiemen

I am 22 and flew KLM 747-400, if I am not mistaken, 7X in my life (AMS hongkong and back, 3x Ams Tokyo and 2 times back (other was 777 200 from Osaka instead). I never found out any of the names and I find this an interesting article. Anyone knows if there is a way I can trace it back? Every time I flew KLM has been great.

PS I once flew AMS Kuala Lumpur and back in Malaysia Airlines and Tokyo Seoul nd back in Asiana. All 747-400, all good… But they are just not KLM.

Miguel

I flew JFK-AMS on 12/14/13 B747-400 Combi, flight KL644. It was a KLM ASIA aircraft, name was in chinese characters, Yesterday, 12/22/13, I flew back home on a KLM B747-400, flight 643, AMS-JFK. The name of that aircraft is City of Johannesburgh. It was, as usual, an amazing flight. It’s incredible how KLM has not changed in so many years. I can imagine that when airlines had money KLM service must’ve been really something to talk about.

Miguel

I flew JFK-AMS on 12/14/13 B747-400 Combi, flight KL644. It was a KLM ASIA aircraft, name was in chinese characters, Yesterday, 12/22/13, I flew back home on a KLM B747-400, flight 643, AMS-JFK. The name of that aircraft is City of Johannesburgh. It was, as usual, an amazing flight. It’s incredible how KLM has not changed in so many years. I can imagine that when airlines had money KLM service must’ve been really something to talk about.

BorisGolden

I have flown KLM 747 in the Cities of Bangkok , Atlanta, Hongkong, Lima, Johannesburg, Nairobi, Shangai, Tokyo, Seoul, Paramaribo, Mexico, Orlando, Vancouver, Beijing, Rio de Janeiro, Calgary, Dubai, Free Town, Melboune, Guyaquil, Karachi, Jarkarta! All of them. Lovely birds and excellent pilots!

cor

In september 2014 op vakantie geweest in Suriname met de ph-bfn terug in oktober met de ph-bfy mooie en fijne toestellen

Arjan

Lang geleden in 1999 vloog ik voor het eerst mee met een 747 naar Kaapstad toen nog met een tussenstop in Johannesburg heen de BFN terug de BFE beide volgens mij toen PAX toestellen (volledig passagiers) mijn vraag nu de BFN is nog steeds PAX maar is de BFE dan omgebouwd of vergis ik mij?

Harold

In may 2015 I flew with a 744 from ams to hkg. Upon boarding ams I was absolutely puzzled to see no winglet on the one wing I could see. Ever since I have a bet running with my son on whether this was really the case. Could somebody comment? (Flight kl887:departing ams at 09may2015)

Maya

What’s Brexit if Britain left the EU and what would happen?IF
Brexit is voted for by the people of Britain, it will not
only be a historical triumph for Eurosceptics but it is going to
transform this country forever. But what would occur?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTMxfAkxfQ0

Jorge Balaa

Nicholas Iacullo

I could never forget the beautiful Melbourne I took from Germany, such a beautiful lady and such a beautiful landing people clapped.

MR P HOBSON

Back in February 1995 I and 7 friends flew Amsterdam to Ho Chi Minh city via Kuala Lumpur. Going out we flew Mexico City and the return was City of Karachi. How is that for a memory….actually I have photos of both if these wonderful aircraft.

Back in those days there was no personal TV screen so everyone had to watch what was shown in the communal TVs. The movie on the way out was Forest Gump and on the way back Baby’s Day Out.

Interestingly smoking was still allowed in the rear section.

How times have changed!

Peter R, UK

Came across this interesting site today. My wife and I flew in ‘City of Bangkok’ PH-BFB from Amsterdam to New York (Newark) on 16 October 2005, a most enjoyable flight and visit. La Grande Dame is a most applicable description!

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