Nonstop flights to Amsterdam are now a reality for Southern California travelers, as KLM Royal Dutch Airlines launched its first direct service between San Diego International Airport (SAN) and Schiphol International Airport (AMS). The new transatlantic route officially began with a festive ribbon-cutting celebration at Terminal 2, welcoming passengers aboard the inaugural Boeing 787-9 flight.

The addition of this route marks KLM as the seventh foreign-flag carrier operating out of SAN and the 10th international destination available from the airport. Passengers can now fly nonstop to Amsterdam three times a week—on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays—unlocking new possibilities for business, leisure, and seamless connections throughout Europe.

Kimberly Becker, president and CEO of the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority, called the new service a significant expansion for the airport. “This new nonstop service to this beautiful city known for its iconic canals and world-class museums…will also expand options for easy connections to other European cities from San Diego,” she said.

The launch comes at a time when demand for travel to Europe is surging—up more than 30% from last year—highlighting a growing appetite for global mobility from the San Diego region.

Mayor Todd Gloria praised the route as a long-awaited result of cross-continental relationship-building, stemming in part from the city’s 2022 trade mission to the Netherlands. “The new direct flight…is a major win for our regional economy,” he said, emphasizing its positive impact on jobs, tourism, and foreign investment.

From Amsterdam, passengers will gain access to KLM’s global network of more than 160 destinations. As a member of the SkyTeam Alliance, KLM also offers shared benefits with 19 other international airlines, making it easier for travelers to earn and use loyalty rewards.