To begin our journey home, we flew from Zurich to Amsterdam onboard a KLM Embraer 190 in economy class. The flight was smooth, though we faced a bit of stress upon arrival after a departure delay.
KLM Embraer 190 Economy Class Review (ZRH-AMS)
I had tried to check us in the night before using the KLM app, but because our final destination was to the United States and my wife is not a US citizen, I was unable to complete check-in online.
However, check-in took mere moments at Zurich Terminal 2. We had a stopover of roughly 27 hours in Amsterdam so I was curious if 1.) we would be checked in all the way to LAX and 2.) if we could check our bags all the way through. The answer was yes to both.
The agent asked to Heidi’s green card and when the baggage tags came out I saw that they included both segments, despite the stopover in Amsterdam. Our boarding passes also included both flights (KLM printing multiple segments on a single boarding pass, which is quite efficient).
After a quick stop in the Marhaba Lounge, we proceeded to our gate to board…where we encountered our first delay. While no announcement was offered, and posted boarding time came and went, with passengers still waiting to board. Boarding began at about 8:40 am, 20 minutes before scheduled departure. In typical European efficient, the flight boarding quickly…but we weren’t moving quite yet.
KLM 1954
Zurich (ZRH) –Amsterdam (AMS)
Monday, January 16
Depart: 9:00 AM
Arrive: 10:45 AM
Duration: 1hr, 45min
Distance: 375 miles
Aircraft: Embraer 190 (ERJ-190)
Seat: 17C (Economy Class)
Onboard, we encountered an air traffic control delay, which delayed our pushback and takeoff by 30 minutes. We were informed we would be arriving about 15 minutes late into Amsterdam.
The aircraft includes 100 seats in a 2-2 configuration. Business class is variable (based upon demand) with the adjacent seat blocked while both business class and economy comfort class have 32 inches of legroom. Economy class has 30 inches of legroom. The aircraft is configured such that the the first seven rows contain extra legroom…in some cases that may be economy class, so choose as close to the front as possible.
There are no power outlets or wi-fi onboard…a missed opportunity considering how many of these aircraft KLM operates as part if its “Cityhopper” service, but also not a dealbreaker for a flight under two hours.
We were treated to some amazing view of the Alps during takeoff: it was a beautiful winter day.
Service began after we leveled off. Today’s snack consisted of a vegetarian Beemster cheese sandwich and choice of beverage. Alcohol is free in KLM economy class, though most appeared to be drinking coffee or tea (including me). The sandwich was fresh and quite light – a great sandwich that reminded me of the sandwiches Lufthasna and SWISS used to serve onboard in economy class.
Flight attendants offered a nifty activity book for the kids, which included a passport case and a packet of colored penciled.
This helped to pass the time nicely…
…though by the time we landed Claire Marie had fallen asleep.
Families that travel with young children know that you move a bit slower. As I mentioned earlier, we arrived at Amsterdam Schiphol 15 minutes late and waited for others to deplane before gathering our things to get off. We weren’t traveling particularly heavy, but each had a carry-on bag and Heidi and I also had a personal item.
While gathering are things, the pilots (very nicely) came up to us and offered to help. I figured they had a plane to catch and this was confirmed. So picture flight attendants and pilots carrying our bags to the jet bridge to expedite our departure so they could scamper off to catch their next flight.
It was a bit stressful to be rushed out (as in, “We really need you off this plane now. Let us help.”) but they were very kind about it…no complaints. I may do a separate post on this. Has that ever happened to you?
CONCLUSION
In the terminal, we used the restroom then continued outside to catch a ride into Central Amsterdam, where we would spent the next 24 hours.
KLM was just fine, despite the delay, for this short service. In fact, I thought the crew was lovely and sandwich delicious, so this was a perfectly fine flight in my opinion.
Oh, last gripe. COVID-19 is over…turn the drinking fountains on.
I really enjoyed KLM’s cheese sandwich too! Maybe it’s the best sandwich flying economy ☺️ KLM’s service is also lovely.
I have a soft spot for those KLM sandwiches, 95% bread but unexpectedly good, IMO
KLM is really just horrible. Of the major flag carriers, it is the worst. Even in business-class.
KLM’s lounge in Amsterdam — its flagship lounge — feels like a high school or hospital cafeteria.
While KLM does serve something in its intra-Europe business-class that is better than comparable flights in Delta’s domestic first-class, the overall quality of KLM’s in-flight catering and lounges are below that of even Air France. And oddly, Air France and KLM are the same company!
I flew Gdansk to Amsterdam in KLM business-class. It’s a reasonably long flight by intra-Europe standards. No meal whatsoever because the plane wasn’t catered in Gdansk. KLM doesn’t have a contract there. All of the wine was gone too. The lounge that KLM uses at Gdansk didn’t even have hot food.
By contrast, I flew Swiss business-class from Zurich to Paris, which is comparable to Zurich-Amsterdam, after Delta canceled my Zurich-New York flight. Swiss had real champagne, a meal and just superb service. I have no status with Swiss or any other Star Alliance carrier. They addressed me by name and acted like I was one of the airline’s VIPs.
At KLM, you might get one pour of instant coffee and then the business-class flight attendant disappears behind the curtain in the galley.
I agree with most of your comments as an LH Hon Circle and FB Plat Ulti holder and Plat for Life. KL is following AY in becoming a LCC which is just a shame given their reputation in the past.
However, I will say your experience with KL FAs is probably a one-off. In my Euro J trips with KL, FAs are very proactive and even on a 45 minute hops, they offer multiple rounds of drinks to make up for the horrible Wanderboxes. My glass is usually never empty on these flights. Ultis don’t get special treatment most of the time and there’s a whole thread on flyertalk about how they often don’t get recognized, and I for sure get greeted as an Ulti pax about 20% on my flights with KL in general. Upshot, it’s just great, consistent service on their end based on my experience of flying KL a lot for a long time
Admittedly, the Gdansk to Amsterdam flight was the only time I’ve flown KLM without catering. I’ve flown their intra-Europe business-class before on short flights. But those flights were always from Amsterdam to somewhere else.
I suspect my experience from Gdansk happens a fair bit at out-stations on return flights if too many passengers on the inbound flight drank an extra mini-bottle or two of wine. In my case, I flew out at like 6:30 a.m. So the plane had been sitting since it arrived the night before. KLM doesn’t have a contract at Gdansk to replenish it.
KLM serves cheap Spanish cava (maybe a $9-$10 bottle) in intra-Europe business-class. Air France serves real champagne. Swiss too. I flew Air Malta earlier this year. They had both prosecco and champagne. And KLM serves instant coffee.
I was that same route last weekend although I took the 7am flight out of Zurich to Amsterdam. I love KLM! Their people always have a smile on their faces and they work well.
I was in European business class and we had a nice breakfast. The seats are a joke since all they do is to block the middle seat on a regular 3 seat row but at least being in the front makes leaving the planes easier and faster. I also love AMS airport. It is just easy to navigate without trains and buses to move from one terminal to another. Shopping is amazing, food options are decent and you can connect to almost anywhere from there.
I’d take that sandwich over those Wanderboxes in a heartbeat when flying in Euro J.
Compare this to LH or SN economy service where it’s now buy on board (at least LH will provide tea or coffee I recall), KL is so much better.
Are you sure they block the adjacent seat in business or were they just empty because I have an upcoming flight o. The e190 and all window and aisle seats are available to choose (same thing with Air France, in a completely empty cabin someone chose the seat right next to me.. I moved of course)
Just had a cramped KLM flight AMS-GVA in business with all the adjacent seats occupied
I flew KLM Cityhopper Embraer’s 4 times a month ago. The worst part is that you have to board, and deplane, using stairs, which is a pain if you are carrying heavy carry-ons and greatly slows down the time for connections. On one of these flights (Copenhagen to Amsterdam) we had to then board a bus to get us into Schipol airport — lost a huge amount of time on a tight connection, almost missed it (they had fortunately waited). MORAL: if any of your connections to/from Amsterdam is on a Cityhopper flight, give yourself an extra hour to connect!
Yes, the remote boarding by a bus at AMS is a major issue. I believe some of the Air France regional flights at CDG also use a bus. Before covid, AMS used to be such an efficient airport that one could easily make a short connection, regardless of the bus. Now the passport control at AMS has been a mess for a year-plus that anything under 2 hours is nerve-wracking.
I hope you scrubbed that tray table before you put your sandwich on it.
Trusting AMS with your bags for a 24h layover? Gutsy. I hope you had AirTags in ’em.
Don’t worry, I’m sure Sam Brinton was not in the vicinity.
But seriously are bags still a mess in AMS? I thought they got that fixed
A part of me is sad I am now far too old to be given an activity book.
You can still ask for one, John!