While I try to go out of my way to review new and unique products for Live And Let’s Fly, when a 60,000 mile Flying Blue award on KLM in World Business Class on the 787-10 opened to Los Angeles, I booked it. My flight was great, with really good food and plenty of rest, though there was one shortcoming.
KLM 787-10 World Business Class – My First Impressions
After stepping off Eurostar, I headed for the KLM Lounge, where I always proceed to the top level and enjoyed a cappuccino. It’s always more quiet on the upper level than the lower level.
I realize I just reviewed this same aircraft on the same route only a year ago (review here), but even year-to-year it’s nice to see how a product changes and this flight reinforced how much I like KLM…not as a leading business class product, but as a solid one with consistently excellent service and nice touches like the Delft Blue houses as souvenirs.
KLM charges for seating, even though I have to SkyTeam Elite Plus status with SAS, but I was able to choose a window seat during check-in (otherwise 129EUR). The reverse herringbone seat on the 787-10 does not have doors like the new KLM business class product, but it is quite comfortable and the bedding is excellent.
However, the cabin did get warm on this flight (just like last year)…there are no individual air vents and I miss those because I realize not everyone likes cabins as cold as I do. However, I improvised by taking my socks off and sleeping with my feet outside the duvet. It was not ideal, but I was able to get some shuteye.
Catering was wonderful on this flight…the cheese starter is always enjoyable and the smoked tuna with orzo was a very nice appetizer.
But the highlight was the hot smoked salmon filet with fennel, served over mashed potatoes. Absolutely outstanding.
The vanilla mousse with cinnamon crémeux, apple-raisin compote and crumble was also very nice.
A snack was served mid-flight and while it was hardly a healthy choice, I was also very impressed: French Fries (“Flying fries” as KLM calls them) and stroopwafel ice cream…don’t mind if I do!
(this calls for a special Meal of the Week!)
Before landing, a second lunch was served, which included a pulled chicken salad with edamame, wild mushroom and wasabi cream served with sushi rice and a hot dish on the side: marinated chicken with cashew nuts and mixed vegetables served with fried rice. These pre-arrival meals on KLM are often Indonesian or East-Asian themed (the other choice was vegetarian jackfruit rendang).
Before landing, each passengers in World Business Class was offered a KLM Delft blue house…I chose #105, The House on the Three Canals, a Dutch Renaissance era building from 1610 that was restored in 1909.
It was a hot day in LA, but good to be home and see the family…and yes, my Delhi Belly finally went away.
The KLM product is tried and true, if not a bit boring. But boring is not always bad and I enjoyed the flight very much. In my full review, I’ll share more about the drink menu, IFE, Wi-Fi, amenity kit, and service.
KLM may have acceptable food and an acceptable product in long-haul business class, however, it is subpar on the ground at Amsterdam and intra-Europe flights in business. The flagship lounge is, at best, on par with an average Priority Pass lounge. It is below the standard you expect. And within Europe, KLM is one of the worst major airlines.
I think the intra-Europe J product, particularly catering, is a travesty, but I guess I’m one of the few that likes the lounge in AMS (at least the non-Schengen one, not the rat-infested Schengen one).
Both of them have rodent infestations. I’ve seen the mice with my own eyes on that top floor blue restaurant.
The pint-sized *A lounge is a far better place to spend some time at AMS.
Glad to hear Delhi Belly is gone! Just in time for the domestic *explosive diarrhea* outbreak to welcome you home.
As long as they distribute Delft Blue Houses, I’d almost fly from JFK to AMS, just to fly to LAX for that sweet deal (J for just 60K!), then back to NYC.
I’m the opposite. I prefer no individual air nozzles, as I am always freezing on planes. Just like hotel rooms when you get there for the first time and restaurants. What is wrong with having those place 76 degrees instead of 66? Just crazy to me and a waste of electricity.
76ºF?!! Are you kidding me?! That is far too warm. But exactly why we need individual air nozzles.
100% on the individual air nozzles.
76F/24C is ridiculously warm for an onboard ambient temperature. If you’re cold you can put on another layer of clothes and ask for a second blanket. If it’s too warm there are only so many layers one can remove without causing a spectacle. As for fuel savings, the compressed air arriving at the 787 cooling packs is something like 350F/175C, so taking off an extra degree or two before injecting it into the cabin isn’t all that much extra work to do. The demise of individual air vents is a disaster. My heart always sinks when I board an aircraft without them.
I agree about the temp. I know nothing of the engineering aspect, but a quick scan of the web (never wrong, of course) suggests that the bleedless system in the 787 compresses outside air, which warms it up considerable. But, then it seems, the cooling of the air is accomplished with heat exchangers that use outside air. So, it sounds like you can, in flight at altitude, have air from too warm to too cold without an expenditure of energy. I’m honestly curious, so please, anybody in the know, correct my errors.
So what exactly was the “flaw”?
The hot cabin without individual air vents…
I do like KLM TATL, and think the Indonesian dishes are usually quite good. Haven’t seen many saver awards with them lately though. AF seems to have more.
For any route that touches the USA, I’ve only seen saver space via Flying Blue…not any partner program. Outside the USA (like JNB or SIN) you may find space with other programs, even SkyMiles.
Is KLM charging for seat-selection in Business new?
Family is booking a big vacation from LA to Italy next year and they love the DeltaOne lounges and want to ensure we’re on a carrier that gives access. If KLM, and Air France for that matter, now charge for seat-selection, that could be a big ding for four people.
On another note, flew KLM in the 787 in Business LA-AMS last year and your review is spot on. My only complaint was an aircraft swap from a booked 777 to the 787 meant my “window” seat had no window.
I think you’re safe if you book through DL. I did not have to pay for a seat assignment BOS-CDG on an AF leg. I think Matthew was subject to the fee because of how he booked it. I’ll let him chime in on how he booked it.
I booked via FlyingBlue and was most certainly subject to a seat assignment fee that I only bypassed while waiting until check-in to choose a seat.
A top-notch flight… Kudos to KL!
For aviation enthusiasts → KL currently has 15 B787-10 Dreamliners (average age: 4.3 years) in its fleet.
The KL B787-10 Dreamliner’s impressive GEnx-1B76 right engine on approach to LAX.
I don’t get the fascination with Cappucinos (OMAAT also) but whatever. Most people go to lounges for the food. You should be comparing with LH, SQ, and D1.