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).
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.