Hi everyone.. I know I'm at the right place when I need advice on where to stay in european cities and what flights to take.
I'll be going with a group of 3 to AMS on Nov. 23rd through Nov. 29th. I have 3 choices with similar fares.. 529.00/pp incl. tax is the same with AA, NW, BA, or AF.
We are departing from DFW to AMS:
AA and BA are 777's, connecting with A319's, NW is a DC9 from DFW connecting with a KLM DC10 in DTW(good for a last chance on a DC10 & DC9). The AF is a A340 connecting with an A319 in CDG.
My question is: Which is the best route to take? I want PTV's.. so I guess the DC10 is out, but is there an advantage? Is KLM inflight service worth it?
Second question... We want to stay in at least a 4 star hotel near the "good part" of Amsterdam. We plan on hitting all the clubs and coffeeshops. Where should we stay? Where should we go? Our main purpose for travelling is the hip coffeeshops as that is what we don't get the privilege of here in the U.S.
I look forward to eveyone's suggestions... Especially AMS natives.
Moderators: jsumali2, richierich, ua900, PanAm_DC10, hOMSaR
RE: Going To Amsterdam And Need Advice
As to the flights : Anything but KLM ! Their "service" sucks !
Actually KLM doesn't fly the DC10, so even if your ticket shows a KL flight number it will be a NW aircraft. NW is a lot better than KL, but still low-end.
If you can fly BA, do so. They have in seat videos on all their 777s with your choice of several movies etc. .
AA I have only flown US domestic and they're pretty good, but I have no idea about their international flights.
I wouldn't suggest AF either, as I have never heard anything positive about them.
My advice : Take UA or BA if you can !!!!!
Actually KLM doesn't fly the DC10, so even if your ticket shows a KL flight number it will be a NW aircraft. NW is a lot better than KL, but still low-end.
If you can fly BA, do so. They have in seat videos on all their 777s with your choice of several movies etc. .
AA I have only flown US domestic and they're pretty good, but I have no idea about their international flights.
I wouldn't suggest AF either, as I have never heard anything positive about them.
My advice : Take UA or BA if you can !!!!!
RE: Going To Amsterdam And Need Advice
I'm from amsterdam, and also worked for KLM. KLM is fine, not bad at all. If it's cheap and a convenient connection, take it.
As for Amsterdam; 4 star hotels? You rich fellow eh?
Any big hotel is near the centre in a way. Don't worry. I'm sure you'll enjoy Amsterdam's coffeeshops, just know where you're going. You'll probably end up mingling with English tourists, because local people have their own little places to escape the tourists. Foreign coffeeshop visitors are nothing like locals, who prefer a good time rather than getting high as quick as possible. So if you do end up among the loud English, don't think the Dutch are like that too... Just covering my ass.
As for Amsterdam; 4 star hotels? You rich fellow eh?
Any big hotel is near the centre in a way. Don't worry. I'm sure you'll enjoy Amsterdam's coffeeshops, just know where you're going. You'll probably end up mingling with English tourists, because local people have their own little places to escape the tourists. Foreign coffeeshop visitors are nothing like locals, who prefer a good time rather than getting high as quick as possible. So if you do end up among the loud English, don't think the Dutch are like that too... Just covering my ass.
RE: Going To Amsterdam And Need Advice
Dont forget to smoke some weed when you get there.
RE: Going To Amsterdam And Need Advice
Bombstar: What else do you think coffeeshops are for? 
RE: Going To Amsterdam And Need Advice
I would recommend KLM. I don't know if they have PTV's by now, but they definitely don't run DC-10's anymore, they use MD-11's.
Amsterdam Schiphol is a fantastic airport and you will not need to change planes at hubs like Paris or London and thereby lose extra time that way.
Amsterdam Schiphol is a fantastic airport and you will not need to change planes at hubs like Paris or London and thereby lose extra time that way.
RE: Going To Amsterdam And Need Advice
As an Amsterdam resident, I can say, don't worry about the hotels. Amsterdam is not that big, just make sure you find something in the Centrum and you'll be close, walking distance, to all coffeeshops and clubs. (I still wonder what's the fun of coffeeshops, there are much better things to do in Amsterdam).
the DC-10 is indeed of Northwest. Neither NW or KLM have private TV's yet, but their service is fine. Take BA, AF or UA 777s for PTV (their 747s might not have it yet, I'm not sure).
the DC-10 is indeed of Northwest. Neither NW or KLM have private TV's yet, but their service is fine. Take BA, AF or UA 777s for PTV (their 747s might not have it yet, I'm not sure).
nobody has ever died from hard work, but why take the risk?
RE: Going To Amsterdam And Need Advice
I have not heard good things about KLM service lately. If it is, as someone says, really NW, you would not miss KLM anyhow.
As to hotels, AMS is not big. I stay at the Hotel Amsterdam which is right by th Damn Square and the train station. GREAT location for everything. I do not know if it is 4 star, but it is clean, weel runn and nice rooms. The location is what is so great.
I always book my hotels through UntiedVactions.com. You can get some good deals, or UTELL.com. If you are flying AA or BA, KL, they often have a "hotel Department" which can book hotels at a lower rate when you purchase plane ticekts with them (United Vacations does not require u to be flying UA).
Enjoy! I always like AMS.
PS Look for a hotel near Central Station or Damn Square
As to hotels, AMS is not big. I stay at the Hotel Amsterdam which is right by th Damn Square and the train station. GREAT location for everything. I do not know if it is 4 star, but it is clean, weel runn and nice rooms. The location is what is so great.
I always book my hotels through UntiedVactions.com. You can get some good deals, or UTELL.com. If you are flying AA or BA, KL, they often have a "hotel Department" which can book hotels at a lower rate when you purchase plane ticekts with them (United Vacations does not require u to be flying UA).
Enjoy! I always like AMS.
PS Look for a hotel near Central Station or Damn Square
RE: Going To Amsterdam And Need Advice
here's the KLM and NWA 747s from the USA arriving at AMS between 10AM tomorrow and 10AM thursday:
KLM 744s operate from LAX, JFK
KLM 743 (or 742SUD) from SFO
NWA 742 from Dallas and Mineapolis
KLM 744 from Mineapolis
NWA (probably) 744 from JFK
NWA 744 from San Diego
NWA 742 from Indianapolis
Enough choice
I've heard LHR is tough for changing planes, especially if you need to change terminals (not sure if that applies if you fly in from the USA, flights to AMS leave from terminal 4).
UA also flies direct to AMS from several destinations in the USA.
Same day and time:
772 from Washington and Chicago once a day each.
DL flies 763s from Atlanta and JFK once a day each.
CO flies a 762 once a day from Newark.
There is a hotelguide on http://www.amsterdam.nl
KLM 744s operate from LAX, JFK
KLM 743 (or 742SUD) from SFO
NWA 742 from Dallas and Mineapolis
KLM 744 from Mineapolis
NWA (probably) 744 from JFK
NWA 744 from San Diego
NWA 742 from Indianapolis
Enough choice
I've heard LHR is tough for changing planes, especially if you need to change terminals (not sure if that applies if you fly in from the USA, flights to AMS leave from terminal 4).
UA also flies direct to AMS from several destinations in the USA.
Same day and time:
772 from Washington and Chicago once a day each.
DL flies 763s from Atlanta and JFK once a day each.
CO flies a 762 once a day from Newark.
There is a hotelguide on http://www.amsterdam.nl
I wish I were flying
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- CliperB777
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RE: Going To Amsterdam And Need Advice
Check CO 762....I have flown them to AMS and the flights were extremely pleasant. I think CO is having a sale to go to Europe now, I paid $600 to go to MAD in November.
RE: Going To Amsterdam And Need Advice
AF without a doubt. Great food. Great wine. Great service. WONDERFUL airline! BA is great as well. KLM & NW are OK, but nothing special -- very impersonal service.
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- milemaster
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RE: Going To Amsterdam And Need Advice
Thanks for the input everyone! I've narrowed it down to BA and AF...
So I guess the question remains...As far as inflight service and legroom, is it the same on the BA 777 as the AF A340? Plus, will making my connection in CDG be equal in LHR?
So I guess the question remains...As far as inflight service and legroom, is it the same on the BA 777 as the AF A340? Plus, will making my connection in CDG be equal in LHR?
RE: Going To Amsterdam And Need Advice
BA has got the better legroom (once again a fact, not personal opinion) and the seats on the 777 are always wider than on the 340 (also a fact). I have never been to CDG, but LHR and Heathrow takes up a heck of a lor of time if you have to change terminals (which is interesting though). But as you will be flying itno Terminal 4 and flights to AMS leave from 4, you will definitely be well off at LHR. Plus, BA has PTV's and a lot of other amenities on board.
RE: Going To Amsterdam And Need Advice
addition, LHR-AMS is usually (always?) serviced by a 757 if you fly BA.
I wish I were flying
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- GunFighter 6
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RE: Going To Amsterdam And Need Advice
I would go for BA. I would love flying the triple seven.
and as for a hotel. well you could take the Hilton
always fun. or the sheraton at AMS Airport.
and as for a hotel. well you could take the Hilton
always fun. or the sheraton at AMS Airport.
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- Tg 747-300
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RE: Going To Amsterdam And Need Advice
I would go for NWA
Good legroom on the DC9, and You'll get the chanes to fly on a DC10 which offcourse is opperated by NWA and Not KLM.
NWA's longhaul service is quite good with tasty food and nice legroom. They are also ontime.
tg 747-300
Good legroom on the DC9, and You'll get the chanes to fly on a DC10 which offcourse is opperated by NWA and Not KLM.
NWA's longhaul service is quite good with tasty food and nice legroom. They are also ontime.
tg 747-300
intentionally left blank
RE: Going To Amsterdam And Need Advice
Don't forget to go spot at the AMS airport, it supposed to be a awesome airport.
RE: Going To Amsterdam And Need Advice
AMS is great. Also great people (looks in mirror) 
I wish I were flying
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- milemaster
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RE: Going To Amsterdam And Need Advice
Yeah, I've heard the same thing about AMS being a spectacular place to spot. I plan on bringing my camera and taking full advantage of me being there.
I appreciate all the good input as to which airline to take... funny how nobody suggested the two AA 777 flights through ZRH.
So BA 777 it is..Got a price for $1637.00 R/T DFW-LHR-AMS for 3 seats. Not bad in my opinion.
It's my understanding that the BA 777 is 2x5x2 in coach, so I'm wondering if I should book the seats in front of the Lavs (27 C,D,E?) since there will be nobody behind us and we want to sit together. Is the seat pitch effected by this? Also, what about right behind the lavs, is there more legroom? Are the PTV's too far away?
I appreciate all the good input as to which airline to take... funny how nobody suggested the two AA 777 flights through ZRH.
So BA 777 it is..Got a price for $1637.00 R/T DFW-LHR-AMS for 3 seats. Not bad in my opinion.
It's my understanding that the BA 777 is 2x5x2 in coach, so I'm wondering if I should book the seats in front of the Lavs (27 C,D,E?) since there will be nobody behind us and we want to sit together. Is the seat pitch effected by this? Also, what about right behind the lavs, is there more legroom? Are the PTV's too far away?
RE: Going To Amsterdam And Need Advice
Milemaster,
No the BA 777s all have 3-3-3 seating, not 2-5-2.
I just flew with them (LHR to EWR) and they are wonderful. The Economy section is fairly small (door 3 to door 4 only) and the way they are configured there are not really any seats with extra legroom.
but the seating is okay; better than the 747s.
No the BA 777s all have 3-3-3 seating, not 2-5-2.
I just flew with them (LHR to EWR) and they are wonderful. The Economy section is fairly small (door 3 to door 4 only) and the way they are configured there are not really any seats with extra legroom.
but the seating is okay; better than the 747s.
RE: Going To Amsterdam And Need Advice
It's not a good idea to sit near the lavs, buddy. That's asking for trouble since if the lavs have problems you smell it all the way to London. Plus there'll be people passing by at all hours and you'll be too near the galley.
Sit as far forward as possible.
Sit as far forward as possible.
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