KLM Flying Dutchman - Intra-european flights food service

Dear all,
What happened to the bread! Why the biscuits?! Is this KLM's new way of saving money now...? I can't wait for Economy Comfort to be introduced in Europe?
Sincerely,
SB

Uhhh that has been in effect for years on most flights depending on length and time of the day.

EC will make no difference.

Sincerely,
KfR

I flew OSL -AMS for two years now, the change happened today....? why?

Other departure time?

I flew OSL -AMS for two years now, the change happened today....? why?

Summer schedule as of today? Slight change in flight dep/arr and a flight will suddenly be without a meal. It rarely works the other way around.

Nope, they just changed back to the normal summer timetable, which they had breads before. The time of the flight is shorteren from 2 hours to 1 hour and 45 minutes. I dont believe the 15 minutes are the deal breaker....

Sincerely,
SB

The time of the flight is shortened from 2 hours to 1 hour and 45 minutes. I don't believe the 15 minutes are the deal breaker....But it could very well be that they are. One of the factors that determine what is served on board is the length of the flight, and I believe 2 hours is one of the cutoff points.

Why has the flight time changed? I strongly suspect that the distance between OSL and AMS has not decreased by all that much recently, so have they changed to a faster aircraft, or just reduced the block time whilst the actual flying time remains the same?

Johan

Dear all,
What happened to the bread! Why the biscuits?! Is this KLM's new way of saving money now...? I can't wait for Economy Comfort to be introduced in Europe?
Sincerely,
SB
FYI; BGO/OSLO/VCE are now considered Medium iso LONG service destinations, and therefore sandwiches in Y will only be offered on morning departures till 10 am
KLM choose in the past for more service on these routes for commercial reasons but these reasons dont seem to be valid anymore.After all SAS and Norwegian offer only paid services


On the positive side on so called Extra long service flights ( eg SVO/LIS/ATH etc) more service and choice in hotsnack will be offered from Summerschedule onwards.
Additionaly a la carte paid meals will be available in a while on these destinations as well

First, SAS you can buy food, with KLM you dont get the option. That argument is weak. Secondly, is there any way we can make them go back the idea?
SB

On the positive side on so called Extra long service flights ( eg SVO/LIS/ATH etc) more service and choice in hotsnack will be offered from Summerschedule onwards.
Additionaly a la carte paid meals will be available in a while on these destinations as well

Is this confirmed / published somewhere? Especially the addition of a-la-carte on intra-european routes is news to me?

As for a choice of hotsnack: That would be a nice addition. Ive been having the chicken curry wrap about once a week for the past..year or so? I'll fly KL on a 3+ hr route early april, will report back on what is offered.

Tomorrow I'll be flying AF for a 3+ hr segment. Have they also changed their offerings for the summer? Guess I will find out tomorrow.

But it could very well be that they are. One of the factors that determine what is served on board is the length of the flight, and I believe 2 hours is one of the cutoff points.



This.

First, SAS you can buy food, with KLM you dont get the option. That argument is weak. Secondly, is there any way we can make them go back the idea?
SB

I don't think that's a weak argument at all: it is the way all airlines are doing it. LX is a caricature, flights of a same length will get you meals or snacks in C depending on the competition! Moreover, on SK you can buy your food and drinks, on KL you will get free drinks and crackers/biscuits. Many people would choose the free drinks and buy a sandwich or salad at the airport if they must. Moreover, airlines regularly review flight times. If a flight is often early, then airlines will review its official schedule. There may also be changes in slots, in aircrafts (737 and E90/E70 go faster than 100 or F70 for example) or as mentioned by johan rebel in block times. 2 hours is a natural cut off point so however unfair it may sound, with all airlines, before and above cutoff point will make a difference.

I think that when flying shorthaul Y it is best to just forget completely about what is or is not served on board and bring your own snack. Fruit is cheap, readily availble and will keep hunger at bay on short flight. Nuts and chocolate will do the same trick.

Johan

Was thinking, more like bringing Sushi or Burger King onboard... that is allowed right for KLM? In addition, you can always bring instant noodles and ask them to put hot water in it?

Sincerely,
SB

Was thinking, more like bringing Sushi or Burger King onboard... that is allowed right for KLM? Sure it is.

I just prefer fruit, nuts and chocolate because they are easy to transport, a lot less messy to eat than sandwiches & stuff and do not need to be heated.

Johan

Uhmm to have my neighbour eat a hamburger in the plane, please no.
Sushi I have tried once (great sushi at AMS) but it was quite difficult to eat/prepare and to get rid of all the containers.

Non-smelly sandwich is OK.

How would one take a MacD menu through security though? Surely the sauce, grease and so on will set off all alarm bells? Though I have to say it sounds tempting for an evening flight ;-)

If you fly inside schengen you can get burger king inside after security control.

Uhmm to have my neighbour eat a hamburger in the plane, please no.
Sushi I have tried once (great sushi at AMS) but it was quite difficult to eat/prepare and to get rid of all the containers.

Non-smelly sandwich is OK.Agreed. Bad enough to have to endure burgers and chips smells on some buses. I really do not want this onboard planes.

On the positive side on so called Extra long service flights ( eg SVO/LIS/ATH etc) more service and choice in hotsnack will be offered from Summerschedule onwards.
Additionaly a la carte paid meals will be available in a while on these destinations as well
Thank you for the info! Is that ONLY for SVO, LIS and ATH, or does it apply to other destinations, such as WAW, OTP, etc?

I think that when flying shorthaul Y it is best to just forget completely about what is or is not served on board and bring your own snack. Fruit is cheap, readily availble and will keep hunger at bay on short flight. Nuts and chocolate will do the same trick.
I agree! In this day and age, it's not reasonable to expect food in Y (unless it's a long haul or you're traveling within Asia). Fruit is not always readily available... not in all airports, that is, but there are certainly some options. Nuts & chocolate are almost always there.

I never get on a longhaul flight without some nut mix in my carry-on... there may be some food, but I like to have a backup. I've learned this after being very hungry on an AMS-SFO flight (in Y).

[QUOTE=florin;18287632]Thank you for the info! Is that ONLY for SVO, LIS and ATH, or does it apply to other destinations, such as WAW, OTP, etc?


Service wise KLM considers the following destinations Extra long;
ATH/IST/OTP/KBP/SVO/LED/LIS/HEL, in EBC a 2 course hotmeal with a choice is offered in Y hotsnack and extra snack later during the flight

destinations like WAW/FCO/BCN/ARN etc are considered Long; in other words In EBC a hotmeal with a choice is offered in Y a sandwich with a choice

On so called short/medium flights only during breakfast a sandwich is offered in y class.The information is also mentioned on the klm website.

cityhopper operated flights could offer a slightly different service on some destinations though

. Fruit is not always readily available... not in all airports, that isTrue, but I solve that by planning ahead. I'm picky about fruit and prefer organic varieties, so buy at local grocery stores instead of at the airport, usually a day or two before departure.

Johan

This is very interesting, even with the decreased time flying... the flight between OSL and AMS is 1 hour and 45 minutes = 105 minutes.

According to the website:
http://www.klm.com/travel/no_en/prepare_for_travel/on_board/dining_on_board/dining_in_economy_class.htm

It states the following:
On flights of up to 100 minutes departing before 9 am, we serve a set of tasty sandwiches with different fillings. On flights departing after 9 am, you can choose between a sweet and a savoury snack.
On flights between 100 and 170 minutes we serve a set of sandwiches.
On flights lasting longer than 170 minutes we offer a hot snack and sweet pastry.

What do you think I should do, complain to KLM customer service to get the sandwitches back since they advertise wrongly... or...?

SB

You think they'll listen?

Today, I took Europe Business Class, and they have also trashed the food service on that. The food options are between two pieces of sandwitches. Scandinavian Airlines serves at least warm food in Business Class. In addition, the crew said that Stockholm has been downgraded to the same standard as Oslo. They advise passengers like me to complain, and make the old options come back...

Sincerely,

SB

The food options are between two pieces of sandwitches.Gosh. What time of day was your flight?

KLM are currently in 100% 24/7 penny-pinching mode, they are looking for savings everywhere.

The cabin crew unions have been told that KL wants structural productivity increases, which said unions are likely to fight tooth and nail. Should be fun to watch.

Johan

The crew said that it like that the whole day, from morning to last flight. I, myself took the afternoon flight today. I think if they are going to flight tooth and nail for it, it seems strikes are likely to be happen on KLM then.... or?

it seems strikes are likely to be happen on KLM then.... or?The Dutch have a penchant for (fudgy) compromises. In addition to the Polderbaan they have the Poldermodel.

KL wants structural changes, but the unions, who seemingly have never heard of competition from ME airlines etc, claim that KL's pessimistic view ia wrong, and have even commissioned a research outfit to prove their point. They argue that all problems are a result of the recession / € crisis, and are only willing to agree to temporary measures, which should then be rescinded as soon as the sun shines again.

The KL cabin crew and pilot unions have always been powerful, and management has been all to willing to buy them off with all sorts of perks and goodies. The result is a nightmare agreement that regulates everything and anything down to the tiniest detail.

Johan

it seems strikes are likely to be happen on KLM then.... or?The Dutch have a penchant for (fudgy) compromises. In addition to the Polderbaan they have the Poldermodel.

KL wants structural changes, but the unions, who seemingly have never heard of competition from ME airlines etc, claim that KL's pessimistic view ia wrong, and have even commissioned a research outfit to prove their point. They argue that all problems are a result of the recession / € crisis, and are only willing to agree to temporary measures, which should then be rescinded as soon as the sun shines again.

The KL cabin crew and pilot unions have always been powerful, and management has been all to willing to buy them off with all sorts of perks and goodies. The result is a nightmare agreement that regulates everything and anything down to the tiniest detail.

Johan

Seems quite far-fetch, but how is it for KLM to be in strike? Or do you think there will be any potential for that in the near future?
I have flown KLM for 4 year now, with no strike. All other airlines, especially AF, KLM's owner being hit one after another with strikes...

SB

I can't remember when KL staff last went on strike. Must have been ages ago.

Johan

Not only have they decreased both the service levels in Economy and Business, but the online check-in upgrade price has gone up. It used to be 79 euros, now its 179 euros between OSL and AMS. KLM, what are you doing?

SB

That is very much dependent on route though. I flew AMS-ATH last week and the food has actually improved. It used to be a single hot snack but now there is a choice. (Morning flight: Chicken saucijzenbroodje (http://bakkerijschellens.nl/uploaded/plaatjes290x290/saucijzenbroodje_290x290.jpg) or Cheese/Turkey sandwich, Evening flight I will report in may with my next flight ATH-AMS).

The 179 euro is for an Y -> C upgrade? That is weird. There used to be two levels, 79 and 119. I would be surprised if the cheapest of the two would go up that much in price?

http://oi39.tinypic.com/2hekrbs.jpg

It used to be a single hot snack but now there is a choice: Chicken saucijzenbroodje or Cheese/Turkey sandwichInteresting that none of the choices is vegetarian.

The 179 euro is for an Y -> C upgrade? That is weird. There used to be two levels, 79 and 119. I would be surprised if the cheapest of the two would go up that much in price?€179 one way is a ridiculous amount for such a short flight, especially now that the catering has apparently been reduced to a sandwich selection.

Johan

€179 one way is a ridiculous amount for such a short flight, especially now that the catering has apparently been reduced to a sandwich selection.

But then you could brag about having had a €179 sandwich :cool: :D

But then you could brag about having had a €179 sandwichFor that money, I should get two of these (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/4894952.stm)!

Johan