Celebrating 80 years of KLM flying to Rome

From September 24 to 26 we celebrated 80 years of KLM flying to Rome with special flights in a vintage Dakota DC-3 aircraft. . To honour this momentous occasion, KLM is giving you the chance to re-live history by following the journey of an original Dakota DC-3 aircraft.

Revive the golden days and travel in the same style and luxury as passengers in the pioneering age of aviation. KLM led the way in modern European aviation, offering customers comfort on board and reliable flights in Europe, the Far East and beyond.

The Royal KLM Dakota PH-PBA, livery of the Fifties, was built in 1944. She was in service with the 8th Air Force during the Second World War and was flown in Operation Market Garden. After the war the aircraft was acquired by his Royal Highness Prince Bernhard, Prince of the Netherlands and later became the first official aircraft of the Dutch government. After retirement in 1975 the aircraft became part of the collection of the Aviodrome museum. It was put back in service in 1998 and it has been flying ever since. In 2010 she received her current historic KLM colour scheme and was christened ‘Princes Amalia’, after Prince Bernhard’s great grandchild, the second in line of succession to the Dutch throne.

Facts and figures

• DC3 Dakota PH-PBA Princes Amalia
• Cabin configuration 18 Royal class seats (alternatively DDA’s other Dakota seats 25 passengers)
• Operation within Europe
• Cruising speed 130 knots
• Cruising altitude between 1500-10000ft (500meter-3500m)