Honestly, if you've ever flown long-haul in World Business Class with KLM, you know the moment. The meal service is over. The cabin is dim. Then, a flight attendant appears with a silver tray laden with miniature blue-and-white porcelain buildings. It’s the KLM Delft Blue houses—and for some frequent flyers, these little gin-filled trinkets are more important than the actual lie-flat bed or the champagne.
They aren't just souvenirs. They are a massive logistical undertaking and a tradition that dates back to the 1950s. People actually plan their routes based on these houses. I've seen grown men in suits bartering with seatmates to get a specific number they’re missing from their collection. It’s a cult following.
The Weird History of Alcohol and "Gifts"
You might wonder why an airline is handing out booze-filled ceramics in the first place. It actually started as a clever way to bypass strict regulations. Back in the day, the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) had incredibly rigid rules about the value of gifts airlines could give to passengers. Competition was stiff, but price-fixing was the norm. To stand out, KLM wanted to give their premium passengers something special, but they couldn't just hand over expensive jewelry or cash.
So, they got creative. They started giving out "bottles" of Bols Jenever. The catch? The bottles happened to be shaped like traditional Dutch houses. When regulators complained, KLM basically argued that they weren't giving away a gift; they were just serving a drink in a really nice glass.
It worked.
Since 1952, these houses have become the hallmark of the KLM experience. In 1994, the airline synchronized the house numbers with their anniversary. Every year on October 7th, they release a brand-new house. If you fly on October 8th, you’re likely one of the first people on the planet to own the latest edition. As of late 2025, we are up to House 105, which, like the others, depicts a real, historically significant building in the Netherlands or its former colonies.
What Makes These Little Houses So Special?
Each house is a 1:1 replica of a real building. That’s the "hook." It’s not some generic "Dutch-style" cottage. It’s the Rembrandt House. It’s the Anne Frank House (House No. 76). It’s the Heineken Brewery.
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The detail is staggering. The porcelain is hand-painted in that iconic Delft Blue style, though most modern versions are produced in large quantities to keep up with the demand of thousands of business class passengers flying daily. Inside is Bols Jenever, a Dutch gin that tastes a bit like a cross between gin and whiskey.
Wait, what if I’m flying to a "dry" country?
KLM thought of that. If you’re on a flight to places like Saudi Arabia or Kuwait, where alcohol is strictly prohibited, they give you "empty" houses. These are technically ash-tray or money-box versions, but they look identical from the outside. Collectors actually hunt for these empty versions because they’re rarer in certain parts of the world.
The Collectors' Fever
The secondary market for KLM Delft Blue houses is wild. You can go on eBay right now and find common houses for $15 or $20. But try to find the "Palace on Dam Square" or the "Goudse Waag." Some of the limited edition releases—the ones given to honeymooners or VIPs—can fetch hundreds, even thousands of dollars.
I once talked to a guy who had 102 of the 105 houses. He was genuinely stressed about his upcoming flight to Singapore because he already had the house they were likely to have on the tray. He actually called the airline to see if they could check the inventory on his specific tail number. They couldn't, obviously. But that’s the level of obsession we’re talking about here.
How to Scale Your Collection Without Flying Every Week
If you aren't a corporate road warrior with a massive travel budget, getting your hands on these can be tricky. But there are hacks.
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First, the KLM App. There is actually a dedicated "KLM Houses" app. It’s basically a digital checklist. You can scan your houses, see which ones you have, and—crucially—see the history of the buildings. It’s a great way to keep track so you don't end up with five copies of House No. 47 (which is the Anne Frank House’s neighbor, by the way).
Trading at the Crown Lounge
The real action happens at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam. In the KLM Crown Lounge 52 (the non-Schengen one), there is a legendary "House Exchange." If you have a duplicate house that is still sealed and in good condition, you can sometimes swap it with the staff for one you don't have.
Pro-tip: They don't always allow this. It depends on their current stock and how busy they are. But if you’re polite and you have a rare duplicate, it’s the best way to fill those annoying gaps in your display case.
Why Some Houses are More Valuable Than Others
Not all houses are created equal. The early ones (1-10) are often more valuable simply because fewer were made and many have been broken over the last 70 years. Then there are the "Special Editions."
- The Palace on Dam Square: This is the Holy Grail. It’s significantly larger than the standard houses and was given to newlyweds on their honeymoon flights or very high-level VIPs.
- The Hall of Knights (Ridderzaal): Another oversized piece that isn't part of the standard numbered set.
- House No. 100: To celebrate their centenary, KLM chose Huis ten Bosch Palace, the residential palace of the King. It’s a beautiful piece and highly sought after.
One thing to watch out for is the seal. Each house has a wax or plastic seal on the chimney. If that seal is broken and the gin has evaporated (which happens over decades), the value drops. Collectors want that "sloshing" sound when they shake it.
The Architecture: A Miniature Tour of the Netherlands
What I love most is that the KLM business class houses represent a timeline of Dutch architecture. You see the evolution from the simple stepped gables of the 1600s to the more ornate neck gables and eventually the stately canal houses of the Golden Age.
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For example, House No. 1 is a typical 16th-century building in Amsterdam. Compare that to House No. 85, which is the Penha building in Curaçao. That one is a vibrant example of Dutch colonial architecture—it’s actually one of the few houses that isn't based on a building in the Netherlands proper.
It’s an education. You start collecting them because they’re cute, but then you find yourself researching 17th-century masonry and the history of the Dutch East India Company. It’s a slippery slope.
Common Misconceptions About the Houses
I hear people say these are "cheap plastic." No. They are genuine earthenware. Specifically, they are made from "Delftware," although most are now produced by companies like BvK rather than the original Royal Delft factory (though Royal Delft does still produce some special editions).
Another myth: "You can buy them at the gift shop."
Nope. You cannot buy the numbered houses at the Schiphol Duty-Free shops. You have to fly Business Class to get them from the airline. This exclusivity is exactly what maintains their value. If anyone could buy them for 15 Euros at the gate, nobody would care.
How to Properly Display and Care for Your Collection
If you’ve managed to snag a few, don't just shove them in a drawer.
- Avoid Direct Sunlight: The blue pigment is pretty stable, but the wax seals on older houses can melt or become brittle if they sit in a hot window.
- Check the Liquid: If you’re a serious collector, store them upright. Over time, the gin can leak through a faulty seal and ruin the "tax stamp" sticker on the back.
- Dusting: Use a soft-bristle paintbrush to get into the crevices of the gables. A wet cloth can sometimes leave streaks on the glaze.
Actionable Steps for the Aspiring Collector
If you're ready to start your own collection or want to complete an existing one, here is the move:
- Download the KLM Houses App immediately. It’s free and it’s the only way to stay organized.
- Check the "House Number" before your flight. If you’re flying Business Class, you can sometimes ask the flight attendant early in the flight if they have a specific range of numbers. They are usually happy to help if they aren't in the middle of a meal rush.
- Join Facebook Groups. There are massive communities of "KLM House Traders." It’s a much safer and cheaper way to get specific numbers than bidding against bots on eBay.
- Visit the "Blue" Restaurant at Schiphol. Even if you aren't flying Business Class, the restaurant in the lounge has a massive display of all the houses. It’s a great place to see them in person and decide which ones you want to target next.
The KLM business class houses are a rare example of a corporate gimmick that actually turned into something meaningful. They represent history, architecture, and the golden age of travel. Plus, they look great on a bookshelf. Just don't drink the gin inside if the house is more than 20 years old—honestly, it doesn't age like wine. It just tastes like old ceramic. Keep them sealed, keep them organized, and keep flying.