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kempinski flew KLM Economy, on a B777-200ER (03/04/2012 02:03)

This flight that I took is the short haul leg on the return journey to AMS (Schiphol) from CGK (Jakarta) via KUL (Kuala Lumpur). The crew, normally changed in KUL and thus, is the same crew that is flying KUL-CGK leg before.

Check-in - I arrived at the airport 2 hours before scheduled departure of 6.50pm. I didn't have internet access whilst in Jakarta so I had to queue at economy check-in line (those who did web check-in can use World Business Class lane to drop their bag).

KLM does not provide check-in kiosks at CGK which is surprising as in KUL, KLM ground staff forced every passenger who had not checked-in online to check-in at the kiosks as they only open counter for baggage drop-off. Fortunately, the economy class queue line was not that long.

I paid Jakarta airport tax Rp150,000 at check-in counter and proceed to immigration.

Boarding>> From the boarding lounge, the KLM plane was already at the gate.

It was a Boeing B777-200ER Nahanni National Park with registration PH-BQN. Boarding was done in orderly fashion and Jakarta airport has efficient boarding lounge where two gates used for boarding was located on the opposite site of the room, and thus no pushing or squeezing when the boarding by row number for economy class was being announced.

I was seated in 15C, one row behind economy comfort class in the middle cabin. Wide selection of newspaper is available in English, Dutch, and Indonesian. I was impressed by the available choice.

The Seat>> Economy cabin (as well as Economy Comfort) was configured in 3-3-3 abreast seating. The seat is featuring AVOD PTV with smaller screen than KLM's B777-300ER which is using the newer and wider screen.

TV console is located at the armrest instead on the back seat as those at B777-300ER. However, those wish to be seated on the third seat in every section must be careful: KLM placed the IFE box under the third seat (i.e. seats with label "C", "F" and "J"). This reduce the space to put your feet or extra luggage that you can put under the seat in front of you. It is ok for short haul, but definitely an obstruction for long haul flight especially for standard built man or bigger.

Seat pitch is adequate at 31-inch and those at economy comfort enjoy 35-inch seat pitch.

The service>> As usual, service before take off including distribution of earphones. I like the practice at KLM where they handed out the new earphones to every passenger in a sealed bag which later can be brought back by the passengers in economy.

It is not noise cancelling, but the size is perfect to bring out of the plane and can be used widely in any gadget (it has 2-pin jack, but you can store 1-pin and it's compatible to be plugged to any 1-pin gadget).

Purser was also announced that he would start inflight shopping after takeoff before the meal. I was very impressed with the efficiency and work from the whole crew on this KLM flight as it was TOTALLY OPPOSITE experience from my inbound flight on the same flight where the crew are grumpy, rude, slow, and totally unapologetic.

The purser especially, a Dutch man, was extremely efficient and make sure that everything was done efficiently. He browse through the cabin several time, attending to every passenger needs, including doing hands-on job to offer inflight shopping. I gladly bought few items from the inflight shopping.

Meal service>> I ordered a special meal, so my meal arrives first before everybody else. The meal cart rolled short after and everyone was handed out the meal tray too. It is impressive that KLM do serve hot meal on short haul flight as competitor who also using stopover on intercontinental flight only serves snack.

Drink service was offered and feature wide range of beverages; beer to wine, juice to sodas. Coffee/tea service followed shortly after cabin crew clear the meal tray.

We still have plenty of time before landing while on the other KLM flight, the crew was just barely have enough time to clear coffee cups by the time of landing yo give you the comparison on how efficient the crew on this flight performed.

IFE>> KLM has sufficient selection of movies, music, and short films on the IFE system. It was not overly as wide as Emirates, but it is sufficient to keep someone entertained for a 14-hour journey.

I particularly like the music selection with ample collection of Dutch and English songs. The TV screen was not touch-screen as in B777-300ER, but the console is responsive enough and easy to use.

Arrival>> We arrived at KUL on time at 9.50pm. The airport is pretty relaxed at this hour as there is only few intercontinental flight departures scheduled to leave.

Shops are getting ready to close at 10pm. Immigration was deserted so one can get through within minutes.

However, baggage claim is a totally different story, it tool another 30mins before the first bag arrived and due to loads of passengers who disembarked at KUL, I have to wait another 40mins before my bag appeared. I'm not impressed with the work of KUL baggage handlers this time.

Verdict>> Flying KLM was like a gambling. On this flight, I had a wonderful flight experience as the crew performed to the extreme beyond excellent: where else you can get full hot meal, inflight shopping, and good selection of IFE for only 2 hour journey with a service that is on par with Ritz Carlton legendary standard? Even LCC can't do that!

I would like to thank the crew on this flight as they make me looking forward to fly KLM again and hopefully served by them again!

HYC.bigtimeflyer flew KLM Economy, on a B747-400 (24/02/2012 03:05)

KLM

I'm a person who flies quite a bit, and my total destination was London for a vacation. We chose KLM out of curiosity, and was NOT disappointing at all!

Boarding, though it took a little while (Since it was LAX) but absolutely no problem. When I got in the plane, it was a friendly, relaxed, and not the uptight, uncomfy Economy class feeling. Seats were great, designed by recaro, I believe, and slept well on my long flight to Schipol AMS. The shorter flight of AMS-London KL1009 was also excellent for a short haul flight.

Food on both flights was simple, wonderful, and perfectly portioned. The service aboard the plane was relaxing, friendly and one of the stewards and I started up conversations about society and etc etc HAHA.

KLM is one of the BEST airline companies I've ever chose and I recommend it to anyone! The business man, the family, or the one looking for a GREAT TIME! Choose KLM!

kempinski flew KLM Economy, on a B777-300ER (02/02/2012 15:23)

Flight KL0809/AF8399
Aircraft: Boeing B777-300ER PH-BVB (Nationaal Park Fulufjället)
Seat: 38K
Route: KUL-CGK (Kuala Lumpur International - Jakarta Soekarno Hatta)
Departure time: 1710, Arrival time: 1810 (2 hours flight)

Check-in>> all passengers departing from Kuala Lumpur need to do online check-in or kiosk check-in as KLM counters at the airport only handle baggage drop-off. There are plenty of check-in kiosks (since KLM has integrated their system into common check-in kiosk at KLIA) and the ground staff will make sure you're holding a boarding pass before queuing for baggage drop. Baggage drop counters open from 3 hours before scheduled departure time.

Immigration>> Immigration is always a breeze at KLIA as there are plenty of immigration counter available for foreign passport holders. There will be a security check after immigration before entering airside area.

Holding lounge>> The flight departs from Gate C4 which is at the satellite terminal. Passenger must take an aerotrain which link the main terminal building (MTB) with the satellite terminal (Gates C). Boarding was printed at 16.35 for 17.10 departure. There is a second security check prior to entering the gate area.

Boarding commenced slightly late than scheduled as gate agents are still busy checking-in the passengers - both who are originating from Kuala Lumpur and those transiting from Amsterdam.

Boarding was done in the following order: family with young children, elderly, and wheelchair-bound passengers, followed by World Business Class and Skyteam Elite members, and economy class passengers board according to seat row numbers starting from the rear of the plane.

Which seat to choose>> Other than economy comfort, bulkhead seat and seats near emergency exit rows, other seats are regular economy class seat with limited pitch and recline. The economy class of B777-300ER is configured as 3-4-3 layout. It is interesting to note that seats at column C and K has IFE box underneath the seat and it definitely reduce the storage compartment underneath the seat in front. One might want to avoid these seats for a long haul trip.

The flight>> Boarding completed shortly before 17.10 and the plane taxi down the runway and waiting for its take off slot. Immediately we were in the air and a welcome video was played immediately. Service began with flight attendants distributing earphones and immigration cards.

Meal service only commenced after 30 minutes in the air together with drink service. Coffee/tea service followed together with the meal clearance.

Service>> The service was so slow it almost took the entire flying duration of 1 hour and 35mins in the air to serve 390 economy class passengers. Also, an attempt to summon flight attendant by pressing the call button went ignored for the duration of the flight. Such slow and inattentive service left the whole experience to be abysmal at best.

In-flight entertainment>> The personal video screens on B777-300ER are of the latest generation with wider screen and personal console which is stored on the back of the seat. The selection of entertainment is pretty extensive and deemed sufficient to cover the long haul flight.

Amenities>> During stopover at Kuala Lumpur, the cabin is not well looked-after. Not all seat pocket is replenished with inflight magazine (Holland Herald) and no newspaper selection in the boarding gate left passenger with only PTV as sole source of entertainment.

Arrival>> The plane had to make few circles before landed at Jakarta due to runway congestion. The plane touched down shortly after 18.10 (scheduled arrival time) and it took another 15mins to park at the gate. Immigration at Jakarta was quite a breeze but it took another hour for my checked bag to arrive at the belt.

Verdict>> This short haul hop between KUL and CGK is popular among leisure travelers from Malaysia and Indonesia as it is one that provide cheap tickets. However, the service particularly on this KLM flight is very very lacking in terms of speed, attentiveness, and courteousness. Slow baggage delivery at Jakarta airport is another aspect whereby KLM need to observe for future improvement.

5n1013221 flew KLM Economy, on a B777-300ER (14/11/2011 22:15)

Klm is by far the worst airline I've been on.

The customer service, if it deserves to be called that was just horrible. The attendent was very rude and the supervisor wasn't any better. I will never fly with them again.

AlbertoZavala flew KLM Economy, on a B777-200ER (30/10/2011 02:33)

Very Confortablet and a good service and food

Richard_K flew KLM Economy, on a B747-400 (06/10/2011 18:07)

Departed 2 hours late, but a good flight. Seated 60H. Good meals and service. On the flight I did some work on the laptop, but pitch is just a tad tight for comfortable working.

Two minor issues. The junior cabin attendant was a little too informal for my liking. And while listening to the on-board radio every time the announcements came on I had a loud beep in my ears.

Swissdiver flew KLM Economy, on a B747-400 (05/08/2011 05:33)

basselh flew KLM Economy, on a A330-200 (05/06/2011 10:02)

Bad experience. Seats are cramped and very uncomfortable, especially for a long haul flight.

AlbertoZavala flew KLM Economy, on a B777-200ER (15/01/2011 19:23)

The best in all KLM

feddege flew KLM Economy, on a B747-400 (26/08/2010 10:35)

August 14, 2010, Los Angeles-Amsterdam, 4:30PM

Worst flying experience of my life: after a few hours I've been literally soiled by a steward who threw on me a tray full of 20/30 orange juice glasses. Completely wet and sticky, head to feet!

They told me these things frequently happens, gave me some very little towels to clean myself (!), steward offered me his own jogging suit to change my clothes while they were"drying" and at the end of the flight gave me a piece of paper with which I could have been reimbursed for laundry if I will present it to a KLM office along with the laundry receipt.

After all the embarrassment, the discomfort and the annoyance the were offering a 5 euros charity!!!

I told them I would have not accepted this kind of insult, I usually take to the laundry my clothes after wearing them, orange juice or not.

Miserable manners, KLM!

SonySuliantiJuswara flew KLM Economy, on a B777-300ER (25/08/2009 10:48)

I will give my review as soon as I am on board . I will be flying with this aircraft very soon.

Will_67 flew KLM Economy, on a B777-200ER (30/11/2008 22:18)

Metal boxes are placed under all aisle seats in economy class. They take around 40% of the space supposedly to be used by passengers' feet.

This, joined with the slimmest seats I remember of, made the trip from Singapore Changi to Schipol a remarkable negative experience.

William Nov 2008

goswrang flew KLM Economy, on a B747-400 Combi (06/10/2008 11:56)

Johannesburg - Amsterdam,

Small seats, not good for seating. Only monitors on every fifth seat row. Not impressed with the food or the staff.