KLM Costa Rica flights are being expanded to a second airport. KLM Royal Dutch Airlines will commence service to Liberia, Costa Rica, on October 19, 2019. The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner will depart Amsterdam Schipol Airport Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 11:35 a.m. and land at the Daniel Oduber Airport in Guanacaste at 8:10 p.m. after a 2-hour intermediate stop in San Jose 5:15-7:15 p.m. After just one hour on the ground, the plane will depart out of Liberia at 9:15 to begin the flight back to Amsterdam, arriving there at 1:20 p.m. the following day.
KLM Costa Rica service began two years ago with flights to San Jose, but Pieter Elbers, CEO of KLM, explains why Liberia was added to their routes: “Guanacaste is the second largest region of Costa Rica. The region is known for its beautiful nature, which makes it a unique holiday destination in combination with San Jose. All this makes Guanacaste Liberia a valuable addition to our KLM network.”
“Amsterdam Schiphol airport is the third busiest airport in Europe in terms of passenger volume,” Elbers continued. “We are confident that this connection will increase visits to Guanacaste and will stimulate a new era of growth for the region.”
President of Costa Rica Carlos Alvarado concurs. “Tourism is the engine of our economy, and this new connection represents an opportunity of growth not just for Guanacaste but also for Monteverde and La Fortuna, two destinations visited by those who arrive in Costa Rica through the Daniel Oduber International Airport in Liberia.”
The flight’s intermediate stop in San Jose will give tourists the unique opporunity to start their vacation in one part of the country and end it in another. They will save time and money on ground transportation. So you can start your vacation at the beach and end it in the mountains, or the other way around!
The aircraft used for the KLM Costa Rica flight is the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, a new aircraft designed to increase passenger comfort and also fuel efficiency. It features a 3-class configuration with 30 seats in World Business Class, 45 seats in Economy Comfort, and 219 seats in economy class.
The Dreamliner is a $120 million aircraft. CNN Travel lists a few of the reasons why the plane is special:
* It is made of 50% composite materials that make it lighter than other aircraft.
* More fuel efficient, allowing for longer ranges.
* The cabin pressure and humidity are higher than other airplanes cutting down on passenger fatigue, dry eyes and headaches, according to Boeing.
* There may not be more legroom in all classes compared to other airlines, but the cabin configuration feels roomier.
* Windows are 30% larger and have electronic dimmers rather than plastic shades.
* All seats have AC power outlets and On-Demand TV.
* On long-haul flights, the business class features lie-flat seats.
The flag carrier of the Netherlands currently serves more than 160 destinations worldwide. In an age of airline mergers and name changes, it is noteworthy that KLM, founded in 1919, is the oldest airline in the world still in operation under its original name. KLM’s performance in terms of fuel efficiency is one of the best in Europe.
Here’s a fun fact: The King of the Netherlands, Willem-Alexander, has been moonlighting as a KLM pilot since 1996. Despite talking over the intercom to passengers, no one has ever realized that the Dutch king was at the controls. “I speak on behalf of the captain and crew, so I don’t have to say my name,” says the king. “But then most people don’t listen anyway.”
Will royalty be piloting the Amsterdam to Liberia flight? Sadly, no. The king only flies short haul flights twice a month in case he needs to be able to return to the Netherlands “in case of an emergency.”
If you are a Mokummer and are thinking you might want to escape this year’s rainy winter and bathe in warm tropical sunshine, KLM Costa Rica is the answer. Book your AMS-LIR flight now!
If you want to keep up with what is happening in Costa Rica sign up for my monthly email. I never spam and will never pass on your email to any other party.