Introduction

So here goes, my first Trip Report for Airliners.net. All feedback is welcomed, especially if I can improve for a next time.

KLM World Business Class

I've had a few upgrades in the past, particulary with my SkyTeam Elite status enabling me to be upgraded with Northwest and the occasional 'Europe Select' trip, but this was to be the first "full paid" trip. It's debatable, but I think £1295 return to Dubai from Scotland isn't all that bad for a business class flight. After checking both KLM and Air France's prices (which were exactly the same), I decided on KLM. The main reason being that Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is a league ahead of the madness that is Charles-De-Gualle. From what I've read, some people prefer Air France to KLM, but strangely I find the Dutch accent of KLM far sexier than Madame Air France. Anyway, by June the flight was booked, and I held my reservation for KLM Europe Select/ World Business Class to Dubai on 24 July 2008.

Flight: KL1280
Aircraft: Boeing 737-300
Scheduled Departure Time: 10:00am
Actual Departure Time: 09:55am
Business Class: 20% load
Economy Class: 80% load

Check-in

As usual, the sun decided to shine on the day I left. Not to worry, after checking the forecast for Dubai (which was a broiling 44◦C) I was happy to be leaving the rare Scottish sunshine.


Edinburgh's busy terminal exterior

I arrived at Edinburgh at 08:35am, a cheeky 1hr 25mins before take-off. To my delight however, there was nobody in line for Business Class check-in. I walked right on up...
It was an Eastern European girl who served me. Whilst she did work efficiently, I struggled sometimes to understand what she said. Not to worry, it was the usual answers "No..No..No" to the security questions. She gave me an invitation to the Servisair lounge at the airport, KLM's handling agent for Edinburgh.

Business Lounge


Servisair Lounge at Edinburgh Airport - apologies for poor image

The lounge appears to have had a few renovations, and seems to be in good shape. Apart from myself, there were only 5 other people in the lounge which made for a nice (very quiet) atmosphere. A rather annoying part of Servisair lounges is that regular passengers can pay in. At Edinburgh this costs £13.50, and suddenly the lounge access loses some of its exclusivity. Additionally, internet access is NOT free! I think that's outrageous?! All SkyTeam carriers, apart from Continental, use this lounge.

Boarding

The boarding procedure at Edinburgh for KLM flights is fairly simplistic, but works fantastically. Europe Select are called first, followed by Elites and those requiring assistance. Unlike other airports, passengers tend to be very patient at Edinburgh, and make way for the Business Class passengers.

Our flight had arrived in from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol at 08:54am, so there were no delays to the aircraft's turn around.


KLM Boeing 737-300

Europe Select

I still think it's outrageous that KLM configures Europe Select with the same 3-3 seating as Economy Class. Nevertheless, with only 3 of us in a cabin for 15, I managed to take advantage of the spare seats.  


The famous KLM logo on the bulkhead


KLM use the same configuration in Economy as they do in Europe Select

My seat number was 2A, which is actually the first row of Europe Select on the aircraft's left side.

Europe Select dining

The service on Europe Select is simplistic, but well presented. Meals arrive in a box, accompanied by hot rolls and unlimited refreshments.

Smoked tuna with a sesame crust and smoked prawns, served with horseradish cream.
Banoffee with eggnog sauce.


Before long, Captain Meyer had us descending over the Netherlands coast. The purser approached me:

"Do you like to fly?"
"Eh... yes," I said wearily.
"I see your magazine."

Of course, sitting at my feet was Airliner World which by this point, had been read cover-to-cover. The purser asked me to complete a questionnaire, and as a nice touch he let me keep the KLM pen! (which writes very well, by the way...)  



Landing was flawless, and before long we were at the gate. Although we arrived 25 minutes early, we had to wait 5 minutes for a jetway before we could actually disembark the aircraft. Our arrival gate was D39.



Transfer at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol

As usual with Schiphol, everything went smoothly. The one-terminal-layout really does streamline transfers between flights, and the connection was perfectly timed.
I decided to head to KLM Crown Lounge 41, which was full.



So, following the sign, I went to 52. Personally, I think 52 is a far better lounge. Of course the modernised Schengen lounge is very nice, but I wasn't up for two security checks to cross areas.

Flight: KL427
Aircraft: Boeing 777-200ER (Epidaurus)
Scheduled Departure Time: 13:40pm
Actual Departure Time: 13:50pm
Business Class: 100% load
Economy Class: 100% load

Boarding

Schiphol is very organised, with emphasis is on very. Boarding is stated to open over an hour before the flight, so when I arrived at the gate I was faced with a large queue. I was very impressed with the seperate Economy/Business Class waiting lines, and the exclusive Business Class/Elite Plus waiting lounge.

As soon as boarding was called, an army of passengers (most of whom Economy) rose to their feet and headed for the jetway doors. Perhaps their English wasn't pefect, but I'm sure one could understand:

"We are now boarding WORLD BUSINESS CLASS ONLY."

In fact, the gate agent had to clear a path for us. For a cabin of 35 people, there seemed to be A LOT of 'World Business Class' passengers refusing to back off. Elites were going to be called next, at least.

KLM Boeing 777-200ER Epidaurus

There she sat, glistening at gate F7, having flown only the previous evening to Cairo.



Before long, I was at my seat. 1A. My seat-mate arrived a little later, and we were both offered pre-takeoff drinks, amenity kits, KLM Shopping in the Air Business Class exclusives, and our menus (which I'll elaborate more on later ).


I opted for the orange juice, which was soooo good!


KLM did not offer the 'beanie' cylindrical pillow on this flight, have they stopped using these in World Business Class?


Now that's what I call legroom. I'm 5'11", and my feet don't touch the wall.

Inflight Entertainment

Since launching its fleet renewal programme, KLM's inflight entertainment product has been consistently good. The 10.4" screen in World Business Class is far larger than the Economy individual screens, however the programming is almost indentical. My system crashed once, but whatever, I think I pressed too many buttons at once?


KLM Inflight Entertainment AVOD - Main Menu

World Business Class Dining Experience

Before the lunch service, the flight attendants came round with hot towels, nuts and more drinks. A nice touch is that they set your tray table with a tablecloth before serving the meal (which is served on fine KLM crockery, as you would expect).

Appetiser

Smoked salmon (no surprises...but it's a favourite with most airlines),
Served on a grapefruit and fennel salad garnished with pickeled ginger

Main Courses

Roasted chicken in chilli-ginger sauce,
Offered with a basil pesto risotto, spicy carrots and asparagus

Lamb entrecote with rosemary sauce,
Topped with thyme and parsley accompanied by couscous tartlet, ratatouille and a red onion and orange compote.

Red mullet tandoori,
Garnished with pine nuts and lemon shavings, served over minestrone with skin potatoes.

Dessert

Sweet lime yoghurt with citrus cream and whipped cream, and a cheese plate with grapes.

In between service

For your comfort, bottles of mineral water will be distributed after your meal.


Not a bad choice at all, I must say. I chose the chicken and I wasn't dissapointed. Shortly before we landed in Dubai, we were served a snack. Usually there is the option of hot or cold, however the flight attendant gave me both as I was fairly indecisive.
The hot box consisted of meat satay sticks in sauce, whilst the cold box included two tortilla wraps of tuna, olives and lettuce, or goats cheese and lettuce.

Descent and landing

As we prepared for our arrival, the cabin crew passed through the cabin with a tray of Delft Blue houses. My seat mate asked:

"What is it?"
"It's a gift! Something to remember me by," replied the stewardess.
I love the humour of the KLM team. They really are the best in the European sky. They're always there when you need them, but not overly attentive like Far-Eastern carriers.

We arrived into Dubai about 12mins behind schedule, however from what I'm aware the flight rarely lands ahead of schedule.

In summary

□ KLM Europe Select is seriously not worth the price. Particularly when the lounge you can access charges you for internet access!
□ Amsterdam Airport Schiphol remains one of the best airports to transfer through. Everything is so simple!
□ The KLM World Business Class seat is not as bad as others have stated. I noticed only a little slip on the surface. I just wish they'd gone the extra 10degrees and made the chair completely flat! The 2-3-2 configuration is also less appealing. But they're an airline, so in these hard times I can understand higher capacity to generate revenue.
□ Entertainment on KLM was a joy as usual.
□ KLM staff maintained the excellent image of the airline.


Hello Dubai!


This really is the life...


conrad1402