TRIP REPORT: KLM, Amsterdam - Belgrade

TRIP REPORT


I took this trip during the summer and was anxious due to all the news about the chaos at Amsterdam Airport. As I was a connecting from a long haul flight, I avoided the mess that is mostly concentrated to check-in and security.

It was the first time I ever flew with KLM, so I was interested to see what they are like. I had a long transfer time of several hours, as I was on the evening flight to Belgrade, but I did not want to leave the airport in order to avoid those long lines which stretched outside of the airport terminal. So, I purchased access to KLM’s lounge which I was able to do through the “Manage your booking” section on their website. In all honesty, I can’t remember what the lounge access price was, but it was not too expensive.

The lounge is huge. There is a solid selection of food and drinks, showers and there is also a balcony overviewing the tarmac. It is a good way to burn some time.






After that I headed to the gate which was a bus gate on the ground floor. We were right next to the Zagreb flight. I noticed there were a lot of transfers from the US (or maybe it was Canada) and a notable number of Asian passengers but I don’t know exactly where they were from.

The flight turned out to be full. We were bussed to our Embraer plane and were greeted by some quite senior aged crew. The plane seemed in good condition with 2x2 configuration. The seats were leather and they had USB ports which is a great feature.






We pushed back on time but there was a long wait at the runway.

I was exceptionally surprised by the service that was offered on board on an intra-European flight. All economy passengers got a big complimentary sandwich which was basically dark bread with avocado and complimentary non-alcoholic drink. I asked for some diet coke and was given the entire can. I know it is nothing special, but this sort of complimentary service has become so rare on European airline and intra- European flights that it was a nice touch. After the snack, tea and coffee was offered and the crew cleared any rubbish.


Return flight

The rest of the flight was uneventful. In Belgrade, we parked at the remote B stands and were bussed to the terminal. Unlike before, when passengers would be bussed straight to passport control, we were bussed to one of the A gates, then went up to the new floor and then down to passport control.

Although I wasn’t overly confident my luggage would make it, to my pleasant surprise it did (the luggage was already delivered when most passengers arrived to baggage claim). Overall, I was positively surprised by KLM on this intra-European flight and would recommend them in general based on my experience. My return flight 2 weeks later was the same.


Share your travel experience by submitting a trip report to exyu@exyuaviation.com


Comments

  1. Anonymous09:14

    Good experience.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous09:22

    I had to read twice to be sure that I am reading correct, avocado sandwich. Bravo KLM. And look at their business lounge, they are proud on their legacy and history

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:36

      That crown on the logo really suits them !

      Delete
    2. Anonymous14:18

      Good for them!

      Delete
    3. Anonymous18:04

      I would not risk long lines and lost baggage at Amsterdam airport for a sandwich by KLM.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous18:12

      You just can't live with someone being better than Air Serbia...

      Delete
    5. I took the same flight and it was an aweful egg sandwich with hard old bread . By looking around most people did not even touch it . Great aircraft but food is not eatble .

      Delete
    6. Anonymous18:36

      ^ I'm sure you did.

      Delete
    7. Anonymous19:52

      Sandwiches have always been great on KLM!

      Delete
    8. Anonymous20:06

      -You just can't live with someone being better than Air Serbia...

      No, I was thinking about Air Canada. KLM used to have a monopoly on AMS-YYZ but Air Canada entered the game and started to kick KLM's behind big time. KLM does not stand a chance long term.

      Delete
    9. Anonymous20:08

      I checked prices for YYZ-BEG and KL connection via AMS is the cheapest by far. There must be a reason KL has to drop prices so low to attract passengers willing to spend more for connections at more reliable airport hubs.

      Delete
  3. Anonymous09:28

    Everyone has managed to install USB outlets except for the Balkan airlines.
    The sandwiches in the economy look actually refreshing after seeing chips and biscuits being served on two hour flights.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous09:34

      JU‘s onboard service is just delusional, you basically get for 150 euros one bottle of water for kids and tiny snack. They just need to step it up and not to save costs on passengers !

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:30

      LX has no USB outlets on any shorthaul aircraft!

      Delete
    3. Anonymous10:40

      @Anon 09:34 Most of the readers here on your comment, to justify JU, would say: look at Lufthansa and their chocolate bar service. JU and LH should look at Aegean and KLM service

      Delete
    4. Anonymous10:47

      @anonymous 10:40
      + 1000

      Delete
    5. Anonymous12:48

      You need to try this sandwich before you make praising comments…

      Delete
    6. Anonymous12:53

      It's actually really tasty.

      Delete
    7. Anonymous14:43

      Air Serbia has USB and power outlets on A330.

      Delete
    8. Anonymous16:14

      Only on the A330, how about on the A319/320 and the ATR72-600 fleet?

      Delete
    9. Anonymous16:28

      KLM doesn't have it on A319 and ATR fleet. USB ports are needed on longer flights.

      Delete
    10. Anonymous16:55

      What

      Delete
    11. Anonymous18:04

      KLM does not fly A319 and ATR

      Delete
    12. No idea why people are going on an on about this horrible sandwich on some airlines. They are pathetic quality and shouldn't be served to any passengers. JU is brave enough not to serve those since they are big waste. Much more claasy to get some water and a cookie than stale bread sandwich.

      Delete
    13. Anonymous18:35

      The fanboys are unberable. You can't stand that someone offers better service than JU. FYI KLM also serves free drinks. I guess they are not brave enough as Air Serbia to rip off passengers for some juice or soda.

      Delete
    14. Anonymous18:42

      Air Serbia is also brave not to offer a napkin when serving oily chips so people can wipe their hands on the seat.

      Delete
    15. Sandwiches are excellent on KLM and very tasty. Sounds like some JU fan is a bit jealous!

      Delete
    16. Anonymous20:14

      Enjoy your sandwiches.

      KLM used to be a great airline with great hub airport. Not any more. Lowered service levels, airport that's unable to handle the traffic, leadership that can't own the staffing issue etc.

      I am not here to advise KLM on it's shortcomings, just to state the facts.

      Delete
    17. KLM still is great airline. Maybe you should learn to make diferrence between the airline and its hub airport. AMS lowering service levels and not able to handle the traffic, yes. KLM, no.

      Delete
  4. Anonymous09:59

    The lounge access they sell for around 40€

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous14:44

      Too expensive for what you get.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous18:11

      ^ have you ever been? FYI Air Serbia charges the same amount and the size of the lounge is the same as KLM's entrence.

      P.S all lounges in Europe charge around 40 EUR for entry.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous20:11

      Air Serbia Lounge access is from 18EUR. Stick to the facts. Compared to what OTHER lounges offer, KLM access at 40 is not the best value.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous20:13

      ^ why are you so triggered by this report? The author doesn't even mention Air Serbia anywhere.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous20:15

      My own horrible experience with KLM has nothing to do with Air Serbia. How difficult is to understand that?

      Delete
    6. Anonymous20:25

      €40 is well worth if you’re having 5h+ layovers in AMS. They have superb lounge with free food, beverages and showers included (+toothbrush, towel, other toiletries). I personally love KLM, I wish they send 737s to BEG and hopefully they will as their planes are always full since returning to BEG. Their wide-body product is also great, so a sandwich is certainly not a game changer, but a decision point for me is overall service. With JU ground staff acting spoiled and unfriendly lately, I will pick KLM, Turkish or AF anytime over AirSerbia.

      Delete
    7. Anonymous20:49

      For longer layovers I used to hop on train to city center. I also used to love KLM but after recent experiences I can't recommend it any more - AMS/KLM is not an option for me.

      Delete
  5. Anonymous08:57

    I love flying with KLM! They've become one of my favorite airlines for their consistently exceptional service. I'll always choose KLM for Belgrade-Amsterdam whenever I can.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

EX-YU Aviation News does not tolerate insults, excessive swearing, racist, homophobic or any other chauvinist remarks or provocative posts with the intention of creating further arguments. A full list of comment guidelines can be found here. Thank you for your cooperation.