330lover From Belgium, joined Jul 2008, 423 posts, RR: 1 Posted (4 months 1 week 4 days 12 hours ago) and read 2326 times:
Dear fellow A-netters,
I always had not a very positive image of KLM on long haul flights. Don't know why, but something made me sceptical about the airline.
Now we are planning a return trip to Argentina, and the best offer by far is on KLM. Normally I would prefer to spend a little more to travel on LH/LX or TAM, but the difference is almost EUR 400,00 per person!
Certainly, a lot of you have already flown on KLM. What are your opinions about space, service, IFE,...
Is the space in the 10 abreast 773 really that bad, or is this only in people's minds?
All experiences and inflight info is welcome. How does KLM compare to others (LH/LX/AF/IB/AZ/BA...)
Last note: we are travelling in eco class.
Thanks a lot!
[Edited 2012-01-12 01:31:36]
[Edited 2012-01-12 01:48:46]
Britten Norman Islander VP-FBR on Falkland Islands. THAT'S FLYING!
something From United Kingdom, joined May 2011, 1322 posts, RR: 21 Reply 1, posted (4 months 1 week 4 days 11 hours ago) and read 2310 times:
Quoting 330lover (Thread starter): Certainly, a lot of you have already flown on KLM. What are your opinions about space, service, IFE,...
Is the space in the 10 abreast 773 really that bad, or is this only in people's minds?
It is! The only reason I fly AF is because CDG-GRU-CDG cost me less than €300. But unless you score such a criminal deal, are you sure KL is really that much cheaper?
What dates are you travelling and what is the fare KL is asking?
Think about how stupid the average person is; and then realize half of 'em are stupider than that
rwsea From Netherlands, joined Jan 2005, 2908 posts, RR: 2 Reply 2, posted (4 months 1 week 4 days 11 hours ago) and read 2306 times:
Quoting 330lover (Thread starter): Certainly, a lot of you have already flown on KLM. What are your opinions about space, service, IFE,...
Is the space in the 10 abreast 773 really that bad, or is this only in people's minds?
KL's economy product is on par with other European carriers. The IFE is good, and the legroom is generally pretty good (you also have the option of paying for Economy Comfort with extra legroom).
It looks as if KLM uses the 777-200 on this route, which is NOT 10 abreast, but rather in a 3x3x3 configuration. Agree that the 773 is to be avoided at all costs.
In general, I've taken long-haul flights on most US and European carriers. KLM's in-flight economy product is comparable or better than AF, LH, BA, SK, OS, or LX.
330lover From Belgium, joined Jul 2008, 423 posts, RR: 1 Reply 3, posted (4 months 1 week 4 days 11 hours ago) and read 2303 times:
Quoting rwsea (Reply 2): It looks as if KLM uses the 777-200 on this route, which is NOT 10 abreast, but rather in a 3x3x3 configuration. Agree that the 773 is to be avoided at all costs.
Travel is end october/november this year and flights are loaded as 777-300 on KL's website .
Britten Norman Islander VP-FBR on Falkland Islands. THAT'S FLYING!
Travel is end october/november this year and flights are loaded as 777-300 on KL's website .
In that case then I would probably avoid KLM, assuming that the €400 price difference is worth it for a slightly wider seat. There's a lot of time so I suppose a more comfortable airline could come along with a better fare.
PlymSpotter From Spain, joined Jun 2004, 10397 posts, RR: 66 Reply 6, posted (4 months 1 week 4 days 8 hours ago) and read 2251 times:
Quoting 330lover (Thread starter): Now we are planning a return trip to Argentina, and the best offer by far is on KLM. Normally I would prefer to spend a little more to travel on LH/LX or TAM, but the difference is almost EUR 400,00 per person!
If you can easily afford the money and not notice it has gone, then I'd say go for a non 10 abreast option and pay the extra €400. Otherwise, I'd say go for the KLM option, it is a big price difference.
dc9northwest From Romania, joined Feb 2007, 1175 posts, RR: 2 Reply 7, posted (4 months 1 week 4 days 5 hours ago) and read 2218 times:
KLM long-haul... IMO:
Good crews. I've never had a problem with KLM crews.
Weird meals. I've always had a choice between "weird" meals on KLM long-haul, not the typical US airlines' choices (tasteless) pasta or (tasteless) chicken. You can order a more special meal from AMS for 10-15 Euros, but I've never tried it.
Legroom: not the best, so get yourself Economy Comfort, cheaper than spending 400 Euros.
IFE: decent selection, fairly slow... I hate the inflight map personally.
People blame the 3-4-3 777-300 decision... and I do too, but I think we exaggerate a little bit about that here at a.net. I don't think it's that much worse than a 3-3-3 777. But then again, I avoided flying on a Triple Seven for 7 years.
tw From Germany, joined Jul 2011, 27 posts, RR: 0 Reply 8, posted (4 months 1 week 4 days 4 hours ago) and read 2214 times:
Quoting 330lover (Thread starter): Now we are planning a return trip to Argentina, and the best offer by far is on KLM. Normally I would prefer to spend a little more to travel on LH/LX or TAM, but the difference is almost EUR 400,00 per person!
LH has some very cheap flights to Brazil, there was recently an offer to fly from Europe to GIG for 500€. Might be worth looking for booking 2 different tickets, Europe-Brazil and then Brazil-Argentina.
SamuP From Colombia, joined Jul 2010, 48 posts, RR: 0 Reply 9, posted (4 months 1 week 4 days 2 hours ago) and read 2190 times:
I recently flew the 773 AMS-UIO. I didn't find the 10 abreast criminally uncomfortable. The width of the seat was restricted but it was still enough for me. What I did not like about the 10 abreast was the close proximity to the person next to you. That being said, I would have no problems flying a 10-abreast 777 in the future as long as I can count on knowing the person sitting next to me beforehand. The price difference is quite significant in this case, as others have said, try Eco+ fares on KL to see if you can get away with 200 euro per person or so.
As per KLM, I love flying them. The service is pretty good compared to other trans-atlantic competitiors, and IFE on 777s is of the latest generation. Flying from and into Schiphol is a breeze. Sadly I don't get to fly them often.
dc9northwest From Romania, joined Feb 2007, 1175 posts, RR: 2 Reply 10, posted (4 months 1 week 3 days 20 hours ago) and read 2125 times:
Quoting tw (Reply 8): LH has some very cheap flights to Brazil, there was recently an offer to fly from Europe to GIG for 500€. Might be worth looking for booking 2 different tickets, Europe-Brazil and then Brazil-Argentina.
Aren't Brazil-Argentina flights ridiculously expensive for what the route length is? I seem to recall a topic about that on A.net. 300 Euro return seems like a lot for a SAO/RIO-BUE IMO... But I'm not sure about the prices. Then again 500 is cheap to Europe so maybe it evens out.
something From United Kingdom, joined May 2011, 1322 posts, RR: 21 Reply 11, posted (4 months 1 week 3 days 12 hours ago) and read 2087 times:
Quoting dc9northwest (Reply 10): Aren't Brazil-Argentina flights ridiculously expensive for what the route length is? I seem to recall a topic about that on A.net. 300 Euro return seems like a lot for a SAO/RIO-BUE IMO... But I'm not sure about the prices. Then again 500 is cheap to Europe so maybe it evens out.
That's not a viable alternative at all. Even flying GRU-SCL-EZE will be cheaper than GRU-EZE. The fare into Brazil can't be low enough to make this worth while.
Besides, LH 744 are not exactly the most enjoyable aircraft to fly on in Y either..
Think about how stupid the average person is; and then realize half of 'em are stupider than that
roberts87 From Netherlands, joined Dec 2011, 272 posts, RR: 0 Reply 12, posted (4 months 1 week 3 days 12 hours ago) and read 2086 times:
I've had 3 long-haul flights with KLM last year. I was very staitisfeid all three times. Good food, with intresting choices instead of the usual pasta or chicken. The friendliest crew in the skies. Good IFE, with lots of choices. No delays. And, I didn't find the 3-4-3 to be comfortable, and I am pretty tall. I would book it without hesitation.
LJ From Netherlands, joined Nov 1999, 3759 posts, RR: 1 Reply 15, posted (4 months 1 week 2 days ago) and read 1959 times:
Quoting 330lover (Thread starter): . Normally I would prefer to spend a little more to travel on LH/LX or TAM,
Last year I went with JJ from AMS to Argentina. Though a good airline the IFE depends on the aircraft flown. CDG-GRU was good, GRU-EZE and GRU-EZE were great (the newest 330s and thus the newest IFE) the oldest 330s appear to have limited IFE (compared to the new ones).
BTW I had a cheapy on JJ , for just EUR 610 ex AMS. However that was at the time they flew twice daily to CDG.....
SASMD82 From Netherlands, joined Mar 2007, 477 posts, RR: 0 Reply 16, posted (4 months 1 week 1 day 21 hours ago) and read 1931 times:
As far as I have flown KLM and as far as I have heard passenger experiences (compared to other airlines) is that KLM has a great Y-product (although the 77W is a bit worse compared to the MD-11, A330, B772 and B747 because of the tight seat width). C-class is poor (compared to LH, LX, AF and BA) and the Economy Plus is ok (but especially on the 77W - again - seat width is too tight).
Staff of KLM are generally spoken fine (not exceptional), IFE is great, food is (ok in Y, fine in C), planes are in good shape and Schiphol is a great airport.
Checo77 From Peru, joined Oct 2004, 1335 posts, RR: 10 Reply 18, posted (3 months 3 weeks 6 days 16 hours ago) and read 1554 times:
I have flown FRA-GRU on JJ last year, TAM 773.
I have never felt so cramped in my life. I am 1.90 tall. The food was good, service excelent (you get an amenity kit in Y), friendly crew. IFE was good (unlike KLM, you have a tail camera) plus in Y you have a foot rest.
But again I repeat, I have never felt so cramped, it was the first time in my life I was begging for the flight to finish. I have not flown KLM 773 though...
BrusselsSouth From Belgium, joined Aug 2001, 535 posts, RR: 6 Reply 20, posted (3 months 3 weeks 6 days 7 hours ago) and read 1502 times:
I have just returned home from the U.S., flying MIA-AMS on the KL MD-11. I can only compare with the other long haul options I've already flown: AA, BA, US and AF. From this (limited) experience, I'd say KL is on par with BA and AF and a bit superior to AA, and far superior to US.
Recently I've flown the AF A380 CDG-IAD and found the comfort and service in Y excellent. AF and KL crews were equally good, but the AF A380 Y seat felt more comfortable than on the KL MD-11. I payed a premium for Economy Comfort on KL and I recommend it as it adds some recline and significant room to stretch your legs (service and seat width is the same as in Y).
vio From Canada, joined Feb 2004, 1229 posts, RR: 10 Reply 21, posted (3 months 3 weeks 6 days 3 hours ago) and read 1471 times:
I recently flew KLM from AMS to YYC on their A330. I loved their service, though the plane could've been a little cleaner (I actually had blood on the plastic siding... yuck)... but the F/A quickly came and cleaned it with disinfectant and it was like new again .
Their service: 8/10... That's pretty good in my books.
I would fly KLM again without hesitation.
Vio
Superior decisions reduce the need for superior skills.
CPHFF From Sweden, joined Aug 2011, 74 posts, RR: 0 Reply 22, posted (3 months 3 weeks 2 days 3 hours ago) and read 1286 times:
Quoting rwsea (Reply 2): Agree that the 773 is to be avoided at all costs.
I agree, but I'm a pretty "big fellow". 100kg and 190cm tall (6.4"). Leg room is still OK for me, but it basically depends on how "broad sholdered" you are, if you can be confrotable with 10-abrest seating.
Generally, I find the KLM Y product very good on long haul. Have never flown with them to South America, but many times to US and Asia. I find their "standard meal" above par, and the cabin crew are very nice and attentative.
Wishing you a safe and comfortable trip!
PL
I'm not part of the Airbus vs. Boeing war. I love them both!
swedenflyer From United States of America, joined Dec 2010, 45 posts, RR: 0 Reply 23, posted (3 months 2 weeks 4 days 8 hours ago) and read 1096 times:
Quoting 330lover (Thread starter): How does KLM compare to others (LH/LX/AF/IB/AZ/BA...)
In my opinion, it is up near the top on my list. Yes, I haven't flown many airlines, but KL is near the top.
L410Turbolet From Czech Republic, joined May 2004, 5319 posts, RR: 22 Reply 24, posted (3 months 2 weeks 3 days 4 hours ago) and read 1003 times:
Quoting 330lover (Thread starter): Is the space in the 10 abreast 773 really that bad, or is this only in people's minds?
It's awful and whoever came up with that idea of squeezing 10-abreast into the 777 should be tried in the Hague for crimes against humanity.
Quoting CPHFF (Reply 22):
Generally, I find the KLM Y product very good on long haul. Have never flown with them to South America, but many times to US and Asia. I find their "standard meal" above par, and the cabin crew are very nice and attentative.
Also, trasferring at AMS is smooth and easy compared to other major hubs in Europe. KLM are one of the best airlines and I find the overall experience much more pleasant than on some of those overrated 5* Gulf carriers.
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