KLM Flying Dutchman - MD-11 Vintage flight or nightmare

Just got ticketed AMS - LAX on a MD-11 tomorrow. Am I in for a return to the golden age of flying or is the nightmare flight. Seating? AV?

Hughdal

Class of travel?

Johan

Just take the MD-11. For starters, in both J and Y it beats the 777. And the J front mini cabin it beats the entire fleet. And although the plane does have a vintage feel to it, you'll find it a decent experience.

IFE is the same as in the entire KL fleet. Seating in J is the same slippery slope seat you find in everything KL older than 4 years or so (most of the fleet). And the Y seat is standard but not bad.

And last but not least. Soon such gracious passenger planes will have gone for good.

AVOD eitherway.

Thanks everyone for the comments, the good the bad and no ugly. Class wise unfortunetely I'm economy restricted.

Hughdal

Thanks everyone for the comments, the good the bad and no ugly. Class wise unfortunetely I'm economy restricted.

Hughdal

KLM's MD11 is way better than the triple 7 in Y. Trust me, I've tried both within the past year.
I transitted in the early evening in PTY about 2 weeks ago, flying UIO-PTY-MEX on Copa, just when the MD11 from KLM taxied in: Bought myself a coffee, a doughnut and sat and just looked at it for one hour. Gracious!

Spent some mile and upgraded to J. Departure in 3 hours. Looking forward to the experience. You guys talked me in to it :-)

Hughdal

Have a good flight! I'm sure you will enjoy it. Especially if you are, like many of us, intrigued by the beautiful MD11 :)

I flew the MD-11 for the first time in June and really enjoyed it.

Same here. Had the MD11 on AMS-YVR in C and it was a really nice experience.

On the outbound I was in the "mini cabin" up front and it's just great to have such a private cabin. Noise from the airplane is quite a bit louder than usual on newer planes but the seats are much better...

Flight back I was in row 5 near the exit row and again, nothing to complain....

My AMS-LAX flight on the MD11 turned out to be a real treat. Thanks to all the posters who convinced me firstly, that the plane is still a beauty and secondly, to upgrade to Biz. I wasn't fortunate enough to get seated in the mini cabin up front (actually I was middle seat in the 3 across section) but that didn't dampen my enjoyment. I especially enjoyed seeing the lead FA's control station that had more screens, dials and switches than a 150 Cessna cockpit. My original choice was the A-380 CDG-LAX but the award miles were double and I balked. I'm happy how it turned out.

Hughdal

Glad you enjoyed it! I'll be on the MD11 for the first time in 2 days!

This upcomming winter you still have the chance to be on board a passenger MD11

The MD 11 is scheduled for following destinations(source internal crew scheduling)
SFO/YUL/HAV/IKA/ and new nonstop 2 x a week to JRO
(AUA/BON) will be operated by a 330, PTY by b772/773

SFO/YUL/HAV/IKA/ and new nonstop 2 x a week to JROKL used to operate the AMS-JRO-DAR-AMS route exclusively with MD11s for many years.

Johan

KL used to operate the AMS-JRO-DAR-AMS route exclusively with MD11s for many years.

Johan
\
Correct johan, latest info shows daily jro-dar on a 330 and 2 x a week xtra flight to jro nonstop( in/outbound)
additionally there will be M11 flights to DXB this winter ,according to airlineroute.net(overnight kl 429 selected days), so more KLM capacity to DXB then previously mentioned

Interesting that they are increasing services to JRO just as QR has started flights as well.

Johan

How is the space between row 11 (EC) and 12 (regular E) on MD11?

I'm flying AMS-PTY in 10 days, and I'm reluctant as to booking row 12, as the extra recline on the seats in row 11 may give even less space. May just go for row 14..

How is the space between row 11 (EC) and 12 (regular E) on MD11?

I'm flying AMS-PTY in 10 days, and I'm reluctant as to booking row 12, as the extra recline on the seats in row 11 may give even less space. May just go for row 14..

Bases on my experience there is slightly more room to compensate for the recline. Depending on the situation it may be advisable to select the seat.

Gajan

I was looking forward to flying an MD-11 YVR-AMS but alas the 772 has taken over this route. In WBC, the front cabin on an MD-11 is almost as nice as the nose section of a 747 for quietness.

I flew the MD-11 many times in the past, but most recently MIA-AMS with KL in row 1. It was quite nice, but still a slanted seat is a slanted seat.

I was at YUL a couple days ago and saw a KL MD-11 pulling away from the gate. I wasn't aware that YUL was an MD-11 route? Fortunately I was about to board the AF A380. ;)

How is the space between row 11 (EC) and 12 (regular E) on MD11?

I'm flying AMS-PTY in 10 days, and I'm reluctant as to booking row 12, as the extra recline on the seats in row 11 may give even less space. May just go for row 14..

Please do let us know how this went. I have a similar dilemma for later this year.

"KLM withdrew its first MD-11 from service in early April and ferried it to Victorville, CA, in late July as part of a plan to completely withdraw the type from its fleet by late 2014. Two more are expected to be withdrawn in 2012, three in 2013, and four in 2014."

Source (http://www.aviationweek.com/Blogs.aspx?plckBlogId=Blog:7a78f54e-b3dd-4fa6-ae6e-dff2ffd7bdbb&plckPostId=Blog%3A7a78f54e-b3dd-4fa6-ae6e-dff2ffd7bdbbPost%3A122cc856-e862-40e2-8bd7-e05256722ba8).

Johan

Please do let us know how this went. I have a similar dilemma for later this year.

EC and the first part of the regular Y cabin was very empty so whereever I looked it seemed spacious. I had the middle section of row 14 all to myself.

However, from what I could see, people in row 12 didnt seem to suffer more than the usual, so I would say you got go ahead and book row 12 with peace in mind.

As PTY is thr only MD11 destination I fly, Im afraid this was my last flight on this lovely bird. Its days are counted on this route.

"KLM withdrew its first MD-11 from service in early April and ferried it to Victorville, CA, in late July as part of a plan to completely withdraw the type from its fleet by late 2014. Two more are expected to be withdrawn in 2012, three in 2013, and four in 2014."

Source (http://www.aviationweek.com/Blogs.aspx?plckBlogId=Blog:7a78f54e-b3dd-4fa6-ae6e-dff2ffd7bdbb&plckPostId=Blog%3A7a78f54e-b3dd-4fa6-ae6e-dff2ffd7bdbbPost%3A122cc856-e862-40e2-8bd7-e05256722ba8).

Johan

:( Am really sad to see them go! I'm glad I managed 2 flights on them in the last year.

:( Am really sad to see them go! I'm glad I managed 2 flights on them in the last year.

I actually would be kinda interested in the last commercial MD-11 flight...

I actually would be kinda interested in the last commercial MD-11 flight...

According to the article mentioned by Johan, there is still a second airline operating them.

I think KL is the last airline to operate the pax version. FedEx still has a large fleet. LH Cargo has phased out theirs, I believe.

Johan

I think KL is the last airline to operate the pax version. FedEx still has a large fleet. LH Cargo has phased out theirs, I believe.

Johan

KLM is the last airline using it in scheduled services, and I believe World Airways is the only other airline using the pax version - be it for charters only.

Link (http://www.worldairways.com/fleet-MD11.php)

KLM is the last airline using it in scheduled services, and I believe World Airways is the only other airline using the pax version - be it for charters only.

Link (http://www.worldairways.com/fleet-MD11.php)

And in 3-4-3, in a cabin narrower than a B777:eek:

I'm glad I've managed to line up a KLM flight instead!

My only complaint about about this aircraft is the noise it makes. Otherwise the front mini cabin is great!

My only complaint about about this aircraft is the noise it makes.I once boarded an MD-11 at JRO. The aircraft had been flying with an unserviceable APU for a week, and JRO has no GPUs, so they kept the no. 2 engine running the entire time the aircraft was on the ground.

Now that was noisy!

Johan

JRO has no GPUs
Johan

Sorry for my ignorance but what's a GPU?

APU = Auxiliary Power Unit, a small on-board turbine engine that provides power when the main engines are not running. It is usually located in the tail cone.

GPU = Ground Power Unit, an external power supply that can be used when the main engines are not running.

Johan

PH-KCI ferried to VCV on Monday for conversion into soft drink cans according to the KLM source.

http://www.theklmsource.com/withdrawn-md11-ph-kci-leaves-amsterdam/

I had the joy of flying BON-AMS on this lovely plane earlier this year...

PH-KCI ferried to VCV on Monday for conversion into soft drink cans according to the KLM source.

http://www.theklmsource.com/withdrawn-md11-ph-kci-leaves-amsterdam/

I had the joy of flying BON-AMS on this lovely plane earlier this year...

:-(

I was looking forward to flying an MD-11 YVR-AMS but alas the 772 has taken over this route. In WBC, the front cabin on an MD-11 is almost as nice as the nose section of a 747 for quietness.

I really loved this route with this plane. I've chatted with more celebs in that front cabin than on any other airline/routing I've traveled.

It was truly like being in our own little world.

The PH-KCF (Annie Romein) apparently also has been stored now, making a total of three that have been pulled from service in the past months. KLM has 7 MD11s left in service, so at the rate they are disappearing the KLM MD11s seem a dying breed, unfortunately... I really like them.

I booked 6J because it looked to be very spacious on SeatGuru, but am thinking of switching to 2A or J? Preferences? Can you see the engine/wing from that seat? Wish I could get 1A/J, but they are booked? Which has less galley noise?

I booked 6J because it looked to be very spacious on SeatGuru, but am thinking of switching to 2A or J? Preferences? Can you see the engine/wing from that seat? Wish I could get 1A/J, but they are booked? Which has less galley noise?

Go for 2A or J. The quiet and private feeling mini-cabin is the best KL J cabin possible. I never suffered galley noise there. Not sure if you see the engine though.

I agree, the mini-cabin is the best. Hopefully you can get row 1 at check in. I gladly took one of the middle seats in row 1 last time and had no one next to me. So much space in 360 degrees!

KLM has 7 MD11s left in service.According to the January issue of Holland Herald, they have 6 left. The last will be withdrawn at the end of the S14 schedule.

Johan

Any idea what will take over the Suriname flight when they're all gone?

Anyone know how I can easily get a list of which routes they're still being used on? I'd quite like to arrange one last flight on one, before they're all withdrawn...

MD-11 routes are currently: SFO, YUL, HAV, DXB, IKA (to be discontinued).
I check the routes the various active MD-11s (PH-KCA/B/C/D/E/K) have flown on data.flight24.com.
Example: http://www.flightradar24.com/data/airplanes/ph-kca (http://www.flightradar24.com/data/airplanes/ph-kca)

MD-11 routes are currently: SFO, YUL, HAV, DXB, IKA (to be discontinued).
I check the routes the various active MD-11s (PH-KCA/B/C/D/E/K) have flown on data.flight24.com.

Thanks! DXB would probably have been the best option for me, but unfortunately, it seems that the MD-11 is only doing the second flight to DXB (KL429/430), which is only 3x week, and only at certain times of the year (the regular daily flight (KL427/428) is 777).

According to a poster on Airliners.net:

in Summer 2013,

YUL is daily MD11
YYZ is 3 weekly MD11
LAX is 3 weekly MD11

ATL, HAV, PTY and DEL will no longer receive the MD11.

As for winter 2013/2014, only YUL is loaded as an MD11 destination so far...

Thenoflyzone

That sounds about enough to keep four aircraft busy, so it seems as if another aircraft or maybe two will be gone soom.

Joihan

According to a poster on Airliners.net:

Not sure I can find the MD11 service to YYZ: In summer one of the AMS-YYZ flights is an A330, the other is either an A330 or a 747-combi depending on the day.

According to a poster on Airliners.net:

what about SFO ? I am on AMS-SFO in several weeks ?