Atwingo From United States of America, joined Jul 2001, 158 posts, RR: 0 Posted (5 years 4 weeks 1 day 21 hours ago) and read 3858 times:
Which airline offers the better business class product from IAD, AF or KLM? I have taken AF Business Class many times Both from IAD to CDG and CDG to Asia. but never KLM. I thought to try something different. The last thread with similar topic was posted on 05. I would like more current opinions. Thanks.
LH4116 From Sweden, joined Aug 2007, 1672 posts, RR: 15 Reply 1, posted (5 years 4 weeks 1 day 19 hours ago) and read 3843 times:
I guess that the food in KLM's J Class is better on transatlantic flights because they have a "real" or regular longhaul business class meal service service. AF on the other hand gives you all the food on a tray, almost like in Y but much nicer of course. These are just thoughts, i'm not an expert on this...
[Edited 2008-04-22 12:45:35]
I won't stop complaining until SAS reintroduces free service in Economy Class!
Quoting LH4116 (Reply 1): I guess that the food in KLM's J Class is better on transatlantic flights
The feed back we have on board AF from both AF & KL frequent flyers is different : they usually say the food served on board AF is better, more "original" and more tasty ... but that's a matter of taste
Quoting LH4116 (Reply 1): AF on the other hand gives you all the food on a tray
I also had food served on a tray in Business Cass on KLM, on my last flight to CPT
Thes3cond From United States of America, joined Apr 2008, 15 posts, RR: 0 Reply 3, posted (5 years 4 weeks 16 hours ago) and read 3756 times:
I just flew business class aboard an AF B777 from CDG to LAX in March. I found the seat to be comfortable and the entertainment selection to be very good as well. However, the food was not very good and I was disappointed. I had flown domestic first class in the US but never business or first on a transatl flight. I was very much looking forward to the entire experience, but the food was a let down. I actually enjoyed my meal on the way to Europe in Y class on KL better than my business class meal on AF.
HT From Germany, joined May 2005, 6471 posts, RR: 27 Reply 4, posted (5 years 4 weeks ago) and read 3724 times:
Quoting Atwingo (Thread starter): Which airline offers the better business class product from IAD, AF or KLM? I
At present KL is employing its MD11 to IAD which have a not-so-good dispatch reliability.
Both AF and KL have their downsides, but after some consideration I would use KL over AF if the timings are right. And from Germany KL usually has the cheaper Business Class fares (restrictive).
When I flew KL's A332 to IAD in Business Class a year ago it was a quite pleasant experience, but anything with a 2-3-2 layout in Business Class gets neglected by me (= among others: KL B777).
For the record: Neither airline would be my first choice for Business Class longhaul. Only exception: KL 663 / 664 to/from IAH which is flown with a BBJ in All-Business Class.
-HT
Carpe diem ! Life is too short to waste your time ! Keep in mind, that today is the first day of the rest of your life !
Goldorak From France, joined Sep 2006, 1672 posts, RR: 3 Reply 5, posted (5 years 3 weeks 19 hours ago) and read 3624 times:
To have flown both, I can tell you the followings for J class :
- seat : very similar, to not say the same
- food : both very good. However, I have a slight preference for AF, due to the fact that at KL it's cheese OR dessert and for AF it's cheese AND dessert. The wine selection is also better for AF
- IFE : KL is clearly better but this is improving rapidly on the AF side as they are implementing the same IFE system with a great choice of movies and TV shows. I just flew CDG-ORD (in Y) last saturday and our A343 was equipped with the new (great) system.
So for me in summary, both airlines are very good, with a personnal preference for AF
Viscount724 From Switzerland, joined Oct 2006, 21465 posts, RR: 24 Reply 6, posted (5 years 3 weeks 16 hours ago) and read 3603 times:
Quoting Goldorak (Reply 5): So for me in summary, both airlines are very good, with a personnal preference for AF
Since it sounds like you are connecting at either AMS or CDG, my preference would be AMS since it's a more pleasant connecting experience, easier to find your way from gate to gate and less confusing. It's also very rare for longhaul flights at AMS to park at remote gates with a tedious bus trip to/from the terminal. That's much more common at CDG in my experience. Inflight service on AF and KL is similar enough that I wouldn't consider it a major factor in the decision.
Goldorak From France, joined Sep 2006, 1672 posts, RR: 3 Reply 7, posted (5 years 2 weeks 6 days 23 hours ago) and read 3573 times:
Quoting Viscount724 (Reply 7): It's also very rare for longhaul flights at AMS to park at remote gates with a tedious bus trip to/from the terminal. That's much more common at CDG in my experience.
it's becoming also very rare at CDG for long-haul flights to be bussed to the terminal since the opening of satellite S3 and the very recent reopening of T2E (the terminal which collapsed some years ago). I left to ORD from the brand new T2E last saturday and it is very nice. Connections at CDG are becoming easier and easier.
Atwingo From United States of America, joined Jul 2001, 158 posts, RR: 0 Reply 8, posted (5 years 2 weeks 6 days 22 hours ago) and read 3565 times:
Thank you for all your comments. I have always enjoyed travelling on AF in all 3 classes. Last year I flew from CDG to PEK and had the new IFE, and thought it was much better than the old one. I love the cheese plate and the dessert cart but must admit besides the foie gras for hors-d'oeuvre, the main courses are always lacking on AF. I think, considering all the comments, I'll stick to AF even though CDG can be a nightmare at times which has not bothered me that much. I love the ease of Schipol but will forgo that for AF.
Henkybaby From Netherlands, joined May 2008, 593 posts, RR: 4 Reply 9, posted (5 years 1 week 3 days 5 hours ago) and read 3461 times:
There is no contest imho. KLM seats in C are Teflon coated slides. No matter what other considerations, you are paying the big bucks for the seat and service. Unfortunately (being Dutch) I always take AF when given the choice, even if it means an additional transfer at CDG.
KLM has now (FINALLY!) chosen new C seats on their 777/300ER.
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