Study case KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
Planning simulation
Founded in 1919, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines is the oldest still operating airline and is a subsidiary of the KLM - Air France group. KLM has 35,488 employees with a fleet of 110 aircraft. KLM operates scheduled passenger and cargo services to 145 destinations.
Dropping into a long running project is a challenge. Wrapping your head around the complexity, introduce improvements and verify whether it is still what the organization need.
Role: Enterprise UX Designer
2023-2025
During my assigment at KLM, I had the opportunity to work with two key departments: Network and Ground Services. Specifically, my primary responsibilities focused on the development and generation of simulation models for upcoming flight seasons.
The challenge
To enhance KLM operations with an advanced planning tool that leverages comprehensive data for informed decision-making and delivers optimal, robust resource planning for a reliable flight schedule.
By simulating your resources for a given flight schedule, this tool enables optimal resource utilization for a robust capacity planning.
Our goal: Provide a tool that allows faster planning based on data that is less dependent on personal experience, instinct and manual fragmented unstructured input.
Simulating resource availability on flight schedules in the future allows KLM to save cost and minimize delays and cancellations.
Research and planning
Upon joining the ALIGN project team, I quickly became familiar with its existing design and development stage. The first phase of my engagement entailed a thorough understanding and orientation with the simulation tool's architecture, capabilities, and operational parameters.
User flow
Maintaining a cohesive user flow in the face of increasing complexity is crucial for maintaining app usability. As features and functionalities are added, it's essential to pause implementation, reassess the user flow, and validate the underlying motivations of users' interactions.
In both versions, I aimed to convey the importance of re-examining user flows and workflows in a more technical and nuanced manner, highlighting the need for clarity, transparency, and effective communication to ensure that user experiences remain optimal as applications evolve.
Conclusion
The more resources you connect to the ALIGN planning tool, the more accurate and powerful your simulations become. By integrating data across your operations, ALIGN delivers unparalleled precision, enabling smarter decisions and better outcomes.
As a first step, ALIGN will focus on the Ground department—the cornerstone of your resource planning process. By optimizing this critical area, we lay the foundation for seamless efficiency and cost savings. In the next phase, we’ll expand to include additional departments, creating a comprehensive planning simulation that drives results across your entire operation.
With ALIGN, you’ll achieve more than just cost savings—you’ll elevate your performance. Expect improved KPIs, including enhanced on-time flying, reduced cancellations, and increased profitability. ALIGN isn’t just a tool; it’s your partner in transforming resource planning into a strategic advantage.
What's next
The next step? Integrating every single resource that impacts your flight schedule into one seamless system. From crew and ground staff to equipment and beyond, we’re building a solution designed to minimize cancellations, eliminate delays, and ensure hassle-free transfers.
As the algorithm grows more sophisticated, so do the benefits. Expect smarter simulations that deliver tangible results: lower operational costs, streamlined processes, and—most importantly—happier passengers. By optimizing every detail, we’re not just improving efficiency; we’re creating a travel experience that’s smooth, reliable, and stress-free.
