Fly for KLM… no Dutch language required.
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 261
Likes: 42
From: Europe
I am Dutch and have recently joined KLM. I'll just post a bit about my experience so far relating to some of the issues raised.
I have worked abroad for 13 years, and though I am now with KLM I still live abroad. I worked previously in a company with 30+ nationalities in the cockpit and many more in the cabin and on the ground. I adapted to working well with all of them. That included toning down a bit of the Dutch "directness" if you will. It will probably have a few hurdles, but the Dutch in KLM will adapt as well, as long as it is a two way street and you learn to adapt to the Netherlands and Dutch people as well. That includes learning the language. If you just stick to your own language, and don't make any attempts to fit in socially, you tread on a bit of a nerve for some people as that attitude reflects some of the issues in current Dutch society.
I just flew with a captain from the UK (in KLM) who has learned Dutch and is basically fluent, appeared to have the seniority for long haul command but prefers short haul, and got nothing but praise from other colleagues. Just saying it's possible. As for the broader comments about Dutch culture and never "fully being accepted"... In my experience that is true for a lot countries/cultures. I have lived in a handful of countries. In each I have learned the local language to a decent level, and participated in local customs and traditions. The people show appreciation for it, and I am included, but I am also still always that little bit the outsider. I have heard similar stories from friends in other countries. I think it is just how it is, and if you can't deal with such things, don't go abroad. I am sure there are some places where it is possible to not experience that, but you also have to accept that not all places/cultures are the same.
The Netherlands is not some utopia, there are plenty of issues, but the terms and conditions and colleagues you will meet in KLM are not that likely to be one of them. My experience so far as a recent joiner has been exactly as some others have stated... When you get through the doors at KLM you are KLM blue and "part of the family".
Or maybe because part time is protected by law in the Netherlands and the conditions are good enough to have money for the desired lifestyle and a good work/life balance even while on part time?
There is. I don't think it is publicly available anymore, but I can run some numbers maybe. PM me what you would like to see.
I have worked abroad for 13 years, and though I am now with KLM I still live abroad. I worked previously in a company with 30+ nationalities in the cockpit and many more in the cabin and on the ground. I adapted to working well with all of them. That included toning down a bit of the Dutch "directness" if you will. It will probably have a few hurdles, but the Dutch in KLM will adapt as well, as long as it is a two way street and you learn to adapt to the Netherlands and Dutch people as well. That includes learning the language. If you just stick to your own language, and don't make any attempts to fit in socially, you tread on a bit of a nerve for some people as that attitude reflects some of the issues in current Dutch society.
I just flew with a captain from the UK (in KLM) who has learned Dutch and is basically fluent, appeared to have the seniority for long haul command but prefers short haul, and got nothing but praise from other colleagues. Just saying it's possible. As for the broader comments about Dutch culture and never "fully being accepted"... In my experience that is true for a lot countries/cultures. I have lived in a handful of countries. In each I have learned the local language to a decent level, and participated in local customs and traditions. The people show appreciation for it, and I am included, but I am also still always that little bit the outsider. I have heard similar stories from friends in other countries. I think it is just how it is, and if you can't deal with such things, don't go abroad. I am sure there are some places where it is possible to not experience that, but you also have to accept that not all places/cultures are the same.
The Netherlands is not some utopia, there are plenty of issues, but the terms and conditions and colleagues you will meet in KLM are not that likely to be one of them. My experience so far as a recent joiner has been exactly as some others have stated... When you get through the doors at KLM you are KLM blue and "part of the family".
Or maybe because part time is protected by law in the Netherlands and the conditions are good enough to have money for the desired lifestyle and a good work/life balance even while on part time?
There is. I don't think it is publicly available anymore, but I can run some numbers maybe. PM me what you would like to see.
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 163
Likes: 18
From: London
Yearly intake of 200+ pilots with 60 coming from klm flightschool.
We are short of crew due to many parttime request(in dutch law), retirement and fleet changes. KLM is without a doubt one of the best companies to work for. In the aviation and outside the aviation. There is really nothing negative i can say about klm. Except whine about nonsense stuff like business class food is bad, why didnt we get christmas card and other blablas
- start salary 70.000 -100.000 euro depends on age. Increase to 350.000 euro after 25 years in the company. No hourly pay. If you fly 0 hour you get paid. If you fly 80 hour you get paid. Always the same. Salary is always stable. Very complicated structure. But this is long story short. Don’t ask about the structure, too complicated to explain.
- Work schedule is: Europe 16/12 daily from 0 stretch to max 4 stretch. and longhaul 14/14 depends on your trip preference. Longhaul 100% 3/4 trips, 80% 3 trips, 67% 2trips a month.
- Start position 737, 320, E190 and second officer LH. Placement depends on fleet need. Salary all the same.
- Company Pension contribution 25%-42%(depends on age)on top of the salary. You can have it paid out as extra salary on top or let the pension fund take care of it.
- Fleet change according to seniority
- Time to command shorthaul six years, longhaul 23 years.
- 35 days holidays
- Commuting yes, but tiring. Some live in usa, canada ectr. Due to personal choices.
- Parttime available after 6 month according to dutch law 90%, 80%, 67% and 50%. Company can not refuse due to dutch law.
- All the standaard work conditions are taking care off, ZED tickets, partner leave, maternity leave, partner sick leave, kids sick leave, jumpseat travel and more, too much to talk about. Once your a part of the team. You will be take care of the best possible way.
- LOL is a one time payout 200.000 euro and every month 70% of your last salary till your retirement age. Pension also paid out from moment of LOL till your retirement every month with 70% of your last salary.
- Everything in the company is seniority based.
- the most important thing at klm. Everyone is being appreciated, valued and respected.
- this is a no brainer if you are under 42 and not at luftie, Ba or AF
- Please dont ask questions like do you get food while working, is there a bidding system, do i get sick pay. These are all retorical questions.
We are short of crew due to many parttime request(in dutch law), retirement and fleet changes. KLM is without a doubt one of the best companies to work for. In the aviation and outside the aviation. There is really nothing negative i can say about klm. Except whine about nonsense stuff like business class food is bad, why didnt we get christmas card and other blablas
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 36
Likes: 2
From: RH base 36R
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 82
Likes: 10
From: Cloud 9
We actually did, personally signed by the Chief Pilot of the respective division. On the 777 he is a great guy, who always is available for you and supports you. Besides that we also received a full month bonus (13th month salary) offcourse.
Next…
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 206
Likes: 20
From: DSOTM
Haha, even with such an argument you fail. The pain must be quite significant when you feel the need to go to this level…
We actually did, personally signed by the Chief Pilot of the respective division. On the 777 he is a great guy, who always is available for you and supports you. Besides that we also received a full month bonus (13th month salary) offcourse.
Next…
We actually did, personally signed by the Chief Pilot of the respective division. On the 777 he is a great guy, who always is available for you and supports you. Besides that we also received a full month bonus (13th month salary) offcourse.
Next…
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 241
Likes: 47
From: Runcorn,Cheshire,England
Haha, even with such an argument you fail. The pain must be quite significant when you feel the need to go to this level…
We actually did, personally signed by the Chief Pilot of the respective division. On the 777 he is a great guy, who always is available for you and supports you. Besides that we also received a full month bonus (13th month salary) offcourse.
Next…
We actually did, personally signed by the Chief Pilot of the respective division. On the 777 he is a great guy, who always is available for you and supports you. Besides that we also received a full month bonus (13th month salary) offcourse.
Next…
I do t think they were serious about the card
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 261
Likes: 42
From: Europe
I applied in 2023. Between my application and first assessment invite took about 9 months, though with some emails in between assuring me I was still in the process. First acknowledgement of the application that was not an automatic email took a handful of days as well. Though this was when they opened up again for the first time since the pandemic (I think), so possibly a lot more applications back then. Hope it goes a bit faster for you.
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
From: Italy
Commuting and taxation
Regarding commuters, is there some kind of gateway system or do you have to fly to AMS to start your duty?
Regarding taxation do you have to pay taxes in Netherlands or in the country you’re living in for example Italy?
Regarding taxation do you have to pay taxes in Netherlands or in the country you’re living in for example Italy?
Joined: Jan 2025
Posts: 7
Likes: 4
From: Holland
KLM only has one base. And that is AMS. Your duty always start and end there.
tax is a topic for the goverments and laws. Klm has nothing to do how you deal with it.
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 38
Likes: 11
From: EU
dont worry about it. We will need everyone who is suitable. This year the intro of 320 will gain steam. Next year intro of 350 will start as well. So if nothing crazy happens in the world. The coming years we will need a lots of new colleagues. At the moment 300+ applications and counting.
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 82
Likes: 10
From: Cloud 9
AMS is the only base. But you have a system that allows you to do jumpseating in uniform, to any KLM or Transavia destination world-wide, for free.
You jumpseat in your own time and are responsible to report on duty in AMS on time. So if you come from destinations with a lot of “XCM”, like BCN or FCO, it is good to take some margin. However, there are app groups at all these destinations to coordinate this jumpseating.
For taxation you would have to look up the tax agreement between the Netherlands and your country.
Joined: Apr 2003
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 3,649
Likes: 491
From: Europe
KLM will play a part in some of this as it affects them directly when they employ expats, but you will still be responsible for your tax situation in your home country if you choose to commute.