I’ve read a few different reviews on KLM which suggest that their level of service appears to vary quite a lot and this ties in with my own experience. I travel on business quite a lot and recently flew with KLM from Edinburgh to Detroit via Amsterdam. I then flew up to Toronto and returned from there to Edinburgh, again via Amsterdam.
On this trip, I experienced both a KLM regional airline (KLM UK), flew in both business and economy sections and also used KLM’s code share partner, Northwest Airlines, for the first time. I guess I sampled a fairly wide range of the KLM product on offer so I thought it might be worth writing an op on it.
It was a long trip so it’s a long op – I’ve subdivided it into the different legs to make it easier to read and/or skip the bits that you may feel irrelevant.
************************************************ Edinburgh – Amsterdam Operated by KLM UK Plane Fokker 100 Flight time 1 hour 30 minutes
I turned up at Edinburgh airport about an hour before the flight was due to take off. My flights had been booked at short notice so I had to pick up the tickets at the ServisAir desk – they handle the ticketing for KLM UK in Edinburgh. The nice girl at the desk found my tickets in all of 30 seconds and I checked in quickly as there was no queue to speak of.
Interestingly,
the security system in Edinburgh is little changed in light of September 11. Of course, like most UK airports, it was good to begin with. The only real differences I noticed were that some passengers were asked to turn on electrical items such as notebook computers to prove they were the real thing. It didn’t really take any longer to pass through than normal and was very well organised.
The flight was delayed by 30 minutes due to bad weather in Amsterdam – nothing KLM could do about that I guess, but what they did do was keep us well informed about the likely extent of the delay whilst we were waiting. Their predicted delay of 30 minutes turned out to be 40 minutes which I felt was a fairly reasonable guess.
Luggage space on the Fokker 100 is a little limited but I still managed to fit my roll-aboard into the overhead locker. All seats on this flight are economy class, they were quite narrow but there was a reasonable amount of legroom and it was certainly comfortable enough.
The cabin staff were friendly and efficient and served hot and cold drinks with a snack ( a cheese and mushroom burrito). I guess this was okay for a short flight like this.
The pilot managed to make up some of the time lost due to the late take off and we landed in Amsterdam about 20 minutes late to schedule.
***************************************** Amsterdam – Detroit Operated by Northwest Airlines Plane DC 10 Flight time 8 hours 40 minutes
As I was slightly late I headed straight for my next flight. I already had my boarding card, which was issued in Edinburgh, but not having flown to North America in recent months, wasn’t sure how long it would take to clear security. The first security stage was perfectly normal and I passed through the metal detectors and hand luggage scan fairly quickly. However, immediately prior to boarding the plane, each individual passenger was given a short 5 minute interview by security personnel where they were quizzed about their reasons for travelling, their previous travel history, who they would be seeing in the USA etc.
This was conducted in a very efficient manner and didn’t really slow up the boarding unnecessarily. I think most travellers were pleased to witness such a thorough examination, I certainly felt safer for it. . I’ve since been advised that this was normal procedure in Schipol even before September 11.
Take off was on time to within a few minutes.
I wasn’t quite so comfortable at the prospect of my first flight in a DC10, I thought that most of these had been scrapped by now. It was comfortable enough inside though, and there was plenty of room for hand luggage. I had a business class ticket for this leg of the journey and there was lots of legroom. The seats were good without being in the same class as BA.
Cabin service was good and the attendants were friendly. There was a good choice on the menu and a very extensive wine list. The food was excellent when it arrived. Overall, the only (very small) black mark was the fact that Northwest do not have Port on their flights, which I like to have with some cheese at the end of the meal. The attendant explained that it had previously been taken off due to lack of demand but would shortly be offered again as “the European passengers seem to like it”.
We landed in Detroit about 15 minutes ahead of schedule.
******************************************* Detroit – Ontario Operated by Air Canada Plane DHC – 8 Flight time 1 hour 20 minutes
Air Canada are not partners with KLM so I won’t discuss this short hop in any detail.
What may be of some interest is the (understandably) hugely enhanced security in US airports. If you haven’t travelled in the US since September you should prepare for long queues at the metal detectors and hand baggage scanners. Allow at least an extra hour for check in and boarding.
The metal detectors also seem to have been tweaked to a high sensitivity, I set one off with my belt buckle, which didn’t happen at any other airport during this trip.
All notebook PCs are required to be removed from their carriers and put through the scanner in a separate tray.
******************************************** Toronto – Amsterdam Operated by KLM Plane MD11 Flight time 7 hours 25 minutes
Canadian airports, like the UK, have traditionally had good security checks. I really didn’t notice much difference compared with the last time I was through Toronto. The checks were quick, efficient and, in my opinion, at a suitable level to allow passengers to feel safe and secure on their flight.
The flight took off exactly on time.
I had a business class ticket for this leg of the flight and there was plenty room in the cabin for both passengers and their luggage. The seats were very comfortable and reclined quite a way back – in fact I slept for most of the flight home which was ideal as it was an overnight flight.
I didn’t eat a main course, although the menu looked good. I contented myself with the cheese board, and this time I did get a glass of port (hooray).
We landed in Amsterdam about 30 minutes ahead of schedule, very useful as I had a fairly short transfer time in order to make my flight home.
*********************************************** Amsterdam - Edinburgh Operated by KLM Plane Fokker 100 Flight time 1 hour 35 minutes
Basically a repeat of the first outward leg (even down to the “breakfast” burrito). We took off on time and landed about 10 minutes ahead of schedule.
********************************************* KLM’s long haul flights from Amsterdam are very comfortable with a high level of service and catering. Considering that their business class fares are about half of BA’s, I think they offer fantastic value for money.
Some of the connecting flights to Amsterdam from within Europe aren’t quite so good, but are perfectly acceptable and still offer good value for money when compared with other airlines. I wonder if that may have something to do with the fact that they are operated by “regional” branches of KLM.
Overall, I would recommend KLM to anyone.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Good Review - I have flown with KLM before and found them to be generally OK, but service can vary especially on the Trans-Alantic route. I will be interested to see how the service is in a copuple of weeks when I take my family to Chicago. The prices they are offering at present cannot be beat by the other major airlines.
Happy Travels
JoePoirot 02.07.2004 17:54
Review well written but I wouldm't recommend KLM to my worst enemy. Their treatment of someone I know who was possibly seriously ill was abysmal. Don't trust this lot as far as you can throw them.
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sue.51 13.04.2003 (14.04.2003)
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Review of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
Advantages: High turnover of passengers, but doesnot feel as stress out as London or Paris airports Disadvantages: Lots of missing baggage lieing somewhere
Advantages: Great prices,Good range of services, Some destinations offer very advanced booking, Booking a single is HALF the return price Disadvantages: Most destinations are in (or very close to) France
davey 13.11.2001 ·
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