KLM's First A350: The Night Watch

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has named their first Airbus A350 “The Night Watch”, the aircraft itself is named after one of the Netherlands' most celebrated paintings.

Naming Rooted in Dutch Heritage

The aircraft naming draws on two institutions deeply tied to Dutch identity. KLM, founded in 1919, ranks among the world's oldest airlines still operating under its original name. The Rijksmuseum houses the country's most significant collection of art and history, including Rembrandt's "The Night Watch" and Vermeer's “The Milkmaid.”

Connecting Travel and Culture

The naming of this aircraft reflects a broader trend among national carriers to align their brands with the cultural identity of their home countries. For KLM, the connection to Dutch art extends a long tradition of incorporating national symbols into its branding, from its signature blue color to its miniature Delft Blue houses given to business class passengers on long-haul flights.

The airline has produced these miniature houses since the 1950s, with a new design released each year on October 7, the anniversary of KLM's founding. 

A Cultural Welcome

The partnership between KLM and the Rijksmuseum signals a continued investment in cultural tourism for the Netherlands. The aircraft naming serves as a cultural welcome for some of the most recognized paintings in art history.