Taking advantage of a fare sale from Houston to Amsterdam to Dubai in business class, I got to try KLM’s premium product across the Atlantic. Here is my first impression of the service.
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The Deal
Matthew published a fare deal from Houston to Dubai on Star Alliance partners in business class for about $1500-$1800 roundtrip. Pricing out my trip to Yerevan, Armenia, my costs in coach were nearly the same so I searched for this deal, using points to fly from Dubai to Yerevan. For my dates, I couldn’t the fare on Star Alliance partners but I was able to snag a deal on SkyTeam partners for $1,699 and it seemed too good to pass up.
My American Express Platinum Card also ran a promotion with Delta around the same time of booking to match and then upgrade your status one level from a competing carrier. I matched my United Premier Platinum status to Delta Diamond as a result.
An owner for a restaurant chain engrained in me one of the greatest business lessons I have known. I’ve said it before, and I will say it again: “Never let your customer try the competition.” United did that in its selective status extensions last year, and this year I decided to be a free agent, Delta won this round.
Business Class Cabin
While KLM has announced that they will update its business class in the near future, this particular 777-300ER featured a dated layout of 2-2-2 in business class. The seats were lie flat and comfortable but lacked a level of privacy. I snagged a seat in what’s often called the “mini cabin” of just one row just after the boarding door and before premium economy.
Note: I had a good look at Premium Economy from my seat and the layout was still 3-4-3 but with better recline and footrest features. It would not be worth a premium to me.
Food
Meal service began shortly after take-off. Pre-departure beverages were served with a choice of orange juice, water, or sparkling wine. A selection of wines and spirits on the menu as well as signature drinks are paired with the food menus. A lunch/dinner meal was served first with breakfast available prior to landing in Amsterdam.
For some reason, my Delta Diamond status (SkyTeam Elite Plus) had not registered in the KLM system and as such, I was not offered first choice on entrees. I wanted to try the lobster appetizer as I loathe mushrooms but all of those had been selected by others first. The same was true of the Chicken entree. That said, the morel mushroom soup was not only my favorite thing I ate during the journey, it quickly became a favorite for me generally.
For my entree, the Korean beef was good, the purple potatoes, not so much. I was suprised and delighted that the beef was not overcooked.
At the conclusion of the meal, a dessert plate was offered.
Prior to landing, breakfast was served. The foil was initially left on, a small touch that removes some of the magic of eating 30,000 feet above the earth but it obviously didn’t materially affect my meal. Fruit filled crepes, and salmon and cream cheese on a roll made for a nice start to the day. The crepes weren’t life-changing, but satisfying following a restful nine-hour flight and in this case, I was granted first selection.
Experience
The ground experience is where your journey begins. Check-in was easy and I held access to either of the two SkyTeam lounges in the D Terminal. The KLM lounge was better than the Air France lounge (more on those later) but to be clear – do not visit either.
SkyTeam has unified lounges in markets where multiple carriers can benefit like in Dubai, Sydney and elsewhere. In the case of Houston, the city welcomes flights from partners Air France, KLM, LATAM, and AeroMexico in addition to serving a number of Delta customers who may be starting their in the city. However, these lounges (also Priority Pass) are an embarassment and do not reflect the quality of the rest of the experience.
Once boarded, water and noise cancelling headphones were at the seat as well as an amenity kit that was on par with other carriers in business class. The IFE system was modern, and the remote could be used to showcase flight data independently of controlling screen.
Despite Covid-19 mask protocols remaining in place for US flights, masks were optional once onboard the aircraft as it was going to Amsterdam, however, staff informed me that masks were required going to America even though they weren’t required on KLM flights.
I received one of the “little houses” that KLM offers business class passengers. Matthew wrote a great post about these that I couldn’t do greater justice to so I will refer you to his content on the matter. I will note that I thought the touch, while small, was a clever touch that reflects on both Dutch culture and gives passengers a tiny incentive to choose KLM again when other choices are equal.
For KLM flights status doesn’t matter for priority in food selection. As a Platinum Flyingblue member in row 6 (always took that row in C on their 777’s), they always start with row 1. Maybe some exceptions but it isn’t policy-wise. You just need to be lucky, or just select row 1 or 2 to be as sure as possible to get your first choice. On the other hand, in the past it only happened once that they run out before, but I wanted another option anyway haha.
@Mike Hulst – The lead flight attendant gave a different account. She mentioned that they prioritize Skyteam Elite Plus after being out of both my selections for dinner, and after I mentioned that I was and showed my boarding card, she checked her manifest, noted the disparity, and came to my first (at least in our cabin) for breakfast.
Ah, that could be right indeed! They always start at row 1, but afterwards they will prioritize. Now I remember…
That is what happens after 2,5 years without longhaul travel haha.
Hi Kyle,
Did you find the mini cabin loud? I read about complaints noises from the galley. I booked the mini cabin for the extra storage space … I’m flying back to Canada .. and I’m returning with extra bags (filled with crockery) from Amsterdam and Lisbon.
@Zara – In fairness, I had noise cancelling headphones on and was watching a movie during both meal services so I really couldn’t say.
I took it twice a few weeks ago — both aisles furthest from the bathroom. I found the galley quite noisy, and it woke me up a few times.
3-4-3? They are having a laugh!cPremium economy genuinely baffles me. With the exception of some time-limited Lufthansa sales from France to the Far East, the prices from Europe never seem to represent a real saving over a business class ticket. In fact, it’s not unusual for the ITA matrix to return business class offers when looking for premium economy, as the latter is more expensive!
As an example, I am currently looking at some flights from England to S. America over Christmas, the cheapest business class for the dates I want is just £1150 (alright, it’s with LATAM so it won’t be the most luxurious experience, but you will still get a flat bed, lounge access and so on) whereas the cheapest premium economy is £1580 and involves an extra stop, a huge detour via Canada and one short haul segment per direction in plain old economy! BA premium economy would cost another £500 on top of that! Unless we’re talking corporate travel policies that forbid business class for PR reasons, I just cannot see a target market here- in fact, it is a particularly bad deal for the premium leisure pax who won’t have elite status and the airport perks that come with it.
We flew KLM Business Class on a 787 from Mexico City to Amsterdam, and the seats were narrow and uncomfortable, no match for Emirates or Alitalia Business Class. Couldn’t s couldn’t sleep a wink during 10.5 hour flight. Not very impressed. Maybe the seats ought to be updated.
Good warning on the premium economy layout.
This is what the basic minimum standard for a biz class soft product should be. Take note DL, UA, AA/
LOL at the familiar green carpet on the wall at the “Mickey Leland” terminal
KLM doesn’t actually have premium economy, only extra legroom seating. True premium economy is coming in the future.
Ah, makes sense now!
There is no Premium Economy (yet) on KLM – this is misinformation.
It’s only Economy Comfort, similar to a Comfort+ on DL. 3-4″ more pitch, a bit more recline, that’s it. Everything else is the same as regular economy.
KLM has plans to do an actual Premium Economy in the near future.
The 777 seat plan makes this clear:”Comfort” seats have no extra width and just 3″ more legroom. Hardly a significant upgrade from Y class!
IAH has the only freestanding KLM Crown lounge (not shared with Air France) in the US.
KLM lounges are not luxurious. Neither the Schengen nor the non-Schengen Schiphol lounge is impressive.
I fly weekly out of IAH, and will be in AMS in May, June, and July but never expect much from KLM, other than a shower at AMS.
Indeed, the non-Schengen lounge (52) in AMS is huge, and has some interesting spaces (outdoors, that weird theater they’ve got, etc), but both crown lounges (25, 52) in AMS have the same dismal selection of food and cheap drinks. Evidently, they don’t want to compete with the crappy “Wanders box” European business meal. Shower and get what sustenance you need.
Either of you been in the revamped non Schengen lounge?
I’d argue the food selection is light-years ahead of any of the the delta lounges I’ve been to and in the same manner, they charge for premium drinks. I am in different lounges almost every day every week and i can comfortably say the KLM AMS Non Schengen lounge has some of the best food offerings for a standard access lounge. The Schengen lounge though is a different story I’d agree.
“For some reason, my Delta Diamond status (SkyTeam Elite Plus) had not registered in the KLM system and as such.”
It’s common for crew to ‘go further’ for their own own elites than they would for SkyTeam / oneworld / Star Alliance or partner elites. I’ve seen this a few times when catching a glance of the crew’s catering printout – in business & first class it’s common for crew to stick it up on the wall for easy refernce during meal service. Each time there’s been a status mention next to the passenger name – but only for members of their frequent flyer program.
KLM doesn’t currently have a premium economy so your article is not entirely correct. The seating you saw is preferred economy seating which is similar to many airlines offerings of a standard economy seat with slightly better legroom and recline than standard economy but no further benefits. The seats can be paid for (less than the cost of a premium economy offering) and are free to flying blue platinum members. I think you probably would get a discount with Skyteam Elite Plus (I’m not sure because I am FB Plat)
KLM announced that part of the business revamp coming, they will also be introducing a premium economy offering.
I am DL Plat and I can pick KLM comfort seats for free, can confirm
Looking at the main course selection it seems a typical USA dinner. Sounds obvious leaving from USA, what else.
For my wife who is Hindu and does not eat either cheese or beef I need to give the heads-up for Hindu- vegetarian meal. They serve some excellent Hindu food out of Amsterdam.
Economy+ just add some leg room and as the difference in price to BC is low we prefer to fly BV always to South America. Seats are fine and we normally sleep very well during the night.
Yes the little houses are nice and each house has a history behind it, so do read the background on the house you receive.
KLM has no PE cabin. Sorta makes the writer look like has no clue. This us an aviation blog after all!