I take about 20 flights a year and I have to say that i do everything to avoid flying KLM. My colleagues all agree. The reasons that we all shudder when we have to fly KLM include the following.
1.Lost Luggage. A perennial problem when flying through Amsterdam(AMS). This is some sort of Dutch Lottery. I suspect that a lot of it is to do with punctuality and over optimistic connection times being allowed by KLM.
The worst I have experienced was on a flight to Mexico City(MEX). The flight was a 747 Combi. On landing at MEX we were informed without apology that 200 bags had not been loaded at AMS! Nightmare scenario, only 2 staff on hand to sort everyone out a free for all that lasted 2 and a half hours. Bags returned the next day,. Inmean time I bought $120 of clothes etc to see me thru. Put in claim for this with KLM initially told they would only pay $100 but argued it and got it all.
When I queried reason for 200 bags being not loaded ws told that plane needed more fuel due to head winds. Strange that as we took off an hour late and arrived 40 minutes early. Funny headwinds. More likely they wanted to put on revenue earning freight!
Average bag loss at AMS is about 30% of time you transit.
Food
The food is dire. Even in Business. AMS to LHR sector is the best as it is just a sandwich that they cannot mess up! Inside Europe it is rubbish. Flew business from Madrid to AMS and the beef was awful. Long haul make sure you take sandwiches.
Punctuality. Poor. The last 12 months flights have been late on 80% of time. Very poor from BRS in early morning.
Cramped Seating. The seating is very cramped with very poor leg room even on the biggest aircraft. Easyjet is much more spacious as is every other airline I can think of.
Unhelpful Staff Poor attitude. Unwilling to even try and sort out a problem at MAD due to cancellation by third party airline although valid ticket and boarding card had ben issued. this resulted in having to pay an extra £300 for a business seat.
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Its funny I've had good experiences with KLM. once on an Air France flight from Bombay-LHR Air France cancelled the flight several times so I asked KLM if they had any spare seats as I desperately needed to get back to UK (working next day!) and with only 5 mins left to take off they took me and another 10 pasengers in same sitation and their luggage. On arrival at LHR my suitcase got damaged, I made a complaint to KLM handling and they paid me £100 and I wasnt even an original KLM passeneger, I treated myself to nice new (better!) suitcase!
Critchyboy 25.03.2004 09:35
Never ever flown with KLM and probably never likely too! C : )
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Advantages: High turnover of passengers, but doesnot feel as stress out as London or Paris airports Disadvantages: Lots of missing baggage lieing somewhere
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davey 13.11.2001 ·
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