80 Years of Connection Between New York and Amsterdam

For 80 years, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has connected New York and Amsterdam, bringing people, cultures, and experiences together across the Atlantic. As the first European airline to operate a schedule transatlantic route, KLM pioneered a new era of travel between Europe and the United States in the aftermath of the Second World War. To mark this milestone, KLM is celebrating with a series of special anniversary moments, including a temporary Delft House pop-up in New York City, a newly created limited-edition Delft Blue miniature house, and a new campaign film celebrating the enduring connection between New York and Amsterdam.

COME VISIT OUR POP-UP DELFT HOUSE IN NEW YORK

At The New York Historical, New York's first museum, KLM invites New Yorkers and travelers alike to experience a special Delft House pop-up in the lobby. From May 22nd to May 27th 2026, visitors can explore an immersive space that will showcase the pioneering legacy of KLM through historical items including its menus and in-flight magazines, video footage and digital assets, and a special Delft house display, ending with the new miniature Delft house of The New York Historical. Concurrently, visitors will learn more about the Dutch connection with the exhibition Old Masters, New Amsterdam, which features the paintings of Rembrandt and his contemporaries that help us envision life in the New Amsterdam settlement.

The New York Historical

May 22–27, 2026

Museum admission required

Hours align with The New York Historical museum hours

Plan Your Visit

DISCOVER OUR NEW LIMITED-EDITION DELFT MINITATURE HOUSE

To celebrate this milestone, KLM has created a special limited-edition Delft Blue miniature house inspired by The New York Historical building.

For decades, KLM’s iconic Delft houses have become beloved collector’s items for travelers around the world, honoring historic Dutch architecture and craftsmanship. With only a small number of special-edition houses ever created, this newest miniature celebrates the deep historical connection between the Netherlands and New York, originally founded as New Amsterdam.

The commemorative house reflects the cultural bridge KLM has helped sustain for eight decades and serves as a tribute to the shared history between the two cities.

FOLLOW THE JOURNEY: 80 YEARS OF CONNECTION

To further invite people along the journey, KLM is launching a new campaign film honoring eight decades of connection between New York and Amsterdam. Through cinematic storytelling inspired by both cities and the travelers who connect them, the film celebrates KLM’s pioneering legacy as the first European airline to connect Europe and the United States, while looking ahead to the future of travel.

Follow along as KLM celebrates the people, places, and experiences that have shaped this iconic route for generations.

KLM 80 years NYC