KLM has purchased additional seats on four Thalys trains for passengers traveling between Amsterdam and Brussels next summer. This is part of KLM’s effort to reduce or eliminate the four daily flights it operates between Amsterdam and Brussels.
This capacity expansion follows the pilot project conducted between July and October 2022. At that time, the airline replaced one of its daily flights between Amsterdam and Brussels with rail service. From March 26, passengers transferring between Amsterdam and Brussels will enjoy more opportunities to travel by train instead of by plane on this route, as the offer will comprise five different trains.
Related content: Lufthansa wants its passengers to travel on Italian trains
During the project, customer surveys showed that several improvements needed to be implemented. Among others, passengers requested facilities for transfers at Schiphol, assistance with luggage, and improvements in communication, especially with non-European passengers, who are often unfamiliar with Thalys. These hurdles must be cleared first to enable the permanent replacement of flights to and from Brussels.
«We are proud to expand this product and remain fully committed to ensuring a seamless journey for our customers. Making the train a better alternative to air travel on short-haul routes is a priority. We look forward to continuing to implement the improvements our customers expect,» said Boet Kreiken, Executive Vice President of Customer Experience at KLM. The airline is part of the Action Plan for rail and air services, aimed at improving rail as an alternative to air travel on six priority destinations (Brussels, Paris, London, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, and Berlin).
