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Disclaimer: This flight was at the very end of December 2019 as part of my, and my “BRU boys”, Delta elite mileage run to keep my Diamond status with Delta for 2020.
With that, on to the review:
Remarkably we only had 45 minutes, due to a delay in an aircraft pushing back from our gate, to make it all the way from the international side of Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport, to the European side.
We made it due to two factors. One, they have now removed the secondary screening that was such a stupid idea (since we were already clean coming off a flight). Next, we were allowed to go to the front of the line at passport control.
On to our flight. We were, as you can see, loading from an out bus gate. With decent weather, I do not mind this — it is always a treat being on the tarmac of an airport (I could ride the LAX shuttle bus all day long). 🙂
As to the seats, since we were not on a 737 with a blocked middle seat for European KLM domestic business class, we were packed in similar to a CR200 (evil beast that it is)!
Well, I happened to have a little more space since I had the only open business class seat next to me.
These seats really make me appreciate the efforts Delta goes to on its CRJ700 and larger connection carriers (not to mention the mainline A220). A “real” business class seat and wifi (yes, ground-based slow-go but still wifi).
You simply get none of the above on KLM connection jets. But you do get, even on a flight that ended up under 30 minutes in the air, a meal in business class and a quick service in coach. Shocking.
Now it is not really an impressive meal, but nonetheless a meal. A cute bag is plopped down onto your tray and the flight attendants are gone. There are no further requests you can make as they are off to coach (no other drinks are offered on this short flight).
Was this an amazing business class lunch offering?
Uh, nope.
But compared to a Delta ~30 minute flight (or a Delta connection flight) where the flight attendant may not even get up from their seat to even offer water, this is simply astounding in business class and a service in coach as well is, well, mind blowing.
What do you think of this experience? Would you like to see US airlines offer something like this? Do you think it is even possible for US airlines to copy this kind of service? Any other thoughts about the flight review? Let us know! – René
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They used to offer snacks on the New York/Washington Shuttles. Unless it’s been stopped, they still offer shuttles on the New York Chicago shuttles even though it’s less than the published minimum for a meal. It’s totally doable. If people are prepared to pay for it (by paying slightly higher fares) then I think they should offer it.
WAs surfing the net for KLM reviews and I found your post. You have shared great images and details of the flight too. Thanks so much.
Crazy….I would probably pass, but if it was the cheese sandwich without the crust in the square box never pass on those a KLM specialty that always hits the spot when flying.
Really? a 50 cent sandwich is what differentiates KLM from DL for you? Delta probably doesn’t offer this on 30 minute flights because they know absolutely NOBODY wants that.
@Tony – Clearly you missed my point. DL connection flights could do much more if they wanted. Also, let’s not forget the “dead hours” on longer Delta flights where no lunch or dinner is offered at all – that is never the case in biz on KLM flights.
Similar to this, have seen AF serve hot meal to 8 rows of business CDG-LHR. But in Delta we get “express service” or “limited time together” on 500+ mile and two hour block flights around the west while FAs twirl their thumbs for most of the flight.
Did KLM further reduce the meal service? I’ve had a proper meal on a tray with different courses and even a printed menu on flights from England to Amsterdam, which are only an hour or maybe 75 minutes long.