AAPlatinum
Jul 1, 01, 9:33 am
I decided to burn some old CO/Amex Miles for a trip to CPH for the FlyerTalk Mini-Meeting with Goldlust. In April, after 3 weeks of daily calls to CO I finally managed to snag an 80K mileage award for the NW-KLM code-share in Business Class.
Check in at EWR was quick and efficient, I then headed to Worldperks Lounge to await flight boarding. The lounge was okay (decor pretty blah, the one pc with internet access out of service) but the food, I must say, was better (with a much bigger variety presented) than normally found in the Admiral's Club.
Went to the gate to board around 3:45 as advised by the check-in agent. Flight was not yet boarding, but began about 5 minutes after that with World Business Class boarding first. We boarded through the first door even though the KL version of the 767-300 has the 2nd door before the wing. We used the 2nd door to deplane at AMS.
I was offered pre-departure Champagne, OJ, or Water served in very nice glasses (yup, not plastic like on US based airlines) with the blue KLM name and logo on them. The OJ was fresh squeezed and not Minute Maid which was a pleasant surprise.
The seats weren't terribly comfortable with minimal recline and a pretty tight pitch (I'd say about 45" - guess I'm spoiled by AA's 60" Int'l Business pitch).
Menus were passed out, I took one even though I'd ordered a vegetarian meal. My meal, as well as the others served, was completely unappetizing. Merry was right, the food on KL is terrible. Also, everything was served at once, rather than in courses. I also missed the Bose noise cancelling headsets I've grown used to on AA.
The highlight of the flight was my visit to the flight deck. I spent about 30 minutes up there chatting with the pilot and co-pilot. Hoping I can make another visit on my return trip. The entire flight, with the exception of landing, was flown with the cockpit door open, something I've never seen on any other airline.
Breakfast was served prior to arrival which I ate, as when I questioned the purser and 2 of the flight attendants about an arrivals lounge, I was met with blank stares. Another AA plus at LHR and CDG.
Spent the first night at the AMS Hilton, upgraded to a nice room thanks to Gold HHonors. After a 3-hour nap, I took the train from Schipol into Central Station and roamed around Amsterdam for about 6 hours. I'm already looking forward to my next trip there in November.
I was up at 6:00 Saturday morning to catch my KL 737-300 flight to CPH. It's been said before, but I'll say it again -- European Business Class seating is a joke. They did manage to serve a fairly nice breakfast considering it was an hour's flight.
I took the train from the airport into Copenhagen's main railway station and walked to the hotel (The Mermaid) that I had booked for the first night (at aavacations.com for the 3,000 mile booking bonus). Not a very nice hotel, but in a good location. After a short nap Goldlust was in the lobby and we began our tour of the city. He is an excellent host and we had a nice late lunch/early dinner at an Indonesian restaurant which he suggested.
This morning I checked out of my hotel and moved to a B&B which is dirt cheap for CPH and much more interesting than the Mermaid.
Tomorrow I'm taking the train to Elsinore to meet Goldlust for a tour of the castles, beaches, and sites of North Zealand.
[This message has been edited by AAPlatinum (edited 07-01-2001).]
Check in at EWR was quick and efficient, I then headed to Worldperks Lounge to await flight boarding. The lounge was okay (decor pretty blah, the one pc with internet access out of service) but the food, I must say, was better (with a much bigger variety presented) than normally found in the Admiral's Club.
Went to the gate to board around 3:45 as advised by the check-in agent. Flight was not yet boarding, but began about 5 minutes after that with World Business Class boarding first. We boarded through the first door even though the KL version of the 767-300 has the 2nd door before the wing. We used the 2nd door to deplane at AMS.
I was offered pre-departure Champagne, OJ, or Water served in very nice glasses (yup, not plastic like on US based airlines) with the blue KLM name and logo on them. The OJ was fresh squeezed and not Minute Maid which was a pleasant surprise.
The seats weren't terribly comfortable with minimal recline and a pretty tight pitch (I'd say about 45" - guess I'm spoiled by AA's 60" Int'l Business pitch).
Menus were passed out, I took one even though I'd ordered a vegetarian meal. My meal, as well as the others served, was completely unappetizing. Merry was right, the food on KL is terrible. Also, everything was served at once, rather than in courses. I also missed the Bose noise cancelling headsets I've grown used to on AA.
The highlight of the flight was my visit to the flight deck. I spent about 30 minutes up there chatting with the pilot and co-pilot. Hoping I can make another visit on my return trip. The entire flight, with the exception of landing, was flown with the cockpit door open, something I've never seen on any other airline.
Breakfast was served prior to arrival which I ate, as when I questioned the purser and 2 of the flight attendants about an arrivals lounge, I was met with blank stares. Another AA plus at LHR and CDG.
Spent the first night at the AMS Hilton, upgraded to a nice room thanks to Gold HHonors. After a 3-hour nap, I took the train from Schipol into Central Station and roamed around Amsterdam for about 6 hours. I'm already looking forward to my next trip there in November.
I was up at 6:00 Saturday morning to catch my KL 737-300 flight to CPH. It's been said before, but I'll say it again -- European Business Class seating is a joke. They did manage to serve a fairly nice breakfast considering it was an hour's flight.
I took the train from the airport into Copenhagen's main railway station and walked to the hotel (The Mermaid) that I had booked for the first night (at aavacations.com for the 3,000 mile booking bonus). Not a very nice hotel, but in a good location. After a short nap Goldlust was in the lobby and we began our tour of the city. He is an excellent host and we had a nice late lunch/early dinner at an Indonesian restaurant which he suggested.
This morning I checked out of my hotel and moved to a B&B which is dirt cheap for CPH and much more interesting than the Mermaid.
Tomorrow I'm taking the train to Elsinore to meet Goldlust for a tour of the castles, beaches, and sites of North Zealand.
[This message has been edited by AAPlatinum (edited 07-01-2001).]