Northwest WorldPerks (Discontinued Program) - KLM Coach Vs. NW Coach

Good morning all. I just returned from 2 weeks in Europe riding KLM over and NW back. This was my first trip not in WBC as well so I was a bit skittish over what to expect. Here's my observations:

EWR-AMS on KLM's A330-200:

Row 10, decent legroom
AVOD - Outstanding

Service - It's KLM, need I say more. Was not as good as WBC of course but not bad

Food - Pretty good

AMS-MSP on NW's A330-300

Row 10 again - Way more legroom than on KLM's row 10 - Best seat in coach
AVOD - Not as good as KLM's but not bad. Too bad NW edits the content

Service - Lacking from what I had on KLM. FA's served then disappeared in to galley for lengthy chit chat. Not happy when PAX looked in to curtain to ask for something. Purser was an absolute by the book person, short and curt with PAX and crew. Looked like she had worked at NW for 40+ years. The FA's said they hate working with her because she's not friendly at all.

Food - Was way below that of KLM. Food was served in a plastic covered Heinz bowl. I could not get over that! Was not bad, but not nearly as good as KLM.

All and all coach was not bad, was not nearly as nice as WBC of course, but was tolorable. The service and food on KLM was hands down way better than NW.

Just thought I would share.

Thanks all.

I just flew to Europe and back on an NWA 333, 10H and 10B, and I have to agree about the Heinz bowl. They've taken a step down in the food department.

The food situation at Northwest is really getting dire. They might as well serve ramen and be done with it.


I just to Europe and back on an NWA 333, 10H and 10B, and I have to agree about the Heinz bowl. They've taken a step down in the food department.

I got a Heinz bowl on KLM yesterday (although it was reasonably tasty).

And KLM took away my row 10 seat assignement and stuick me in a regular seat, for no clearly understood reason.

EWR-AMS on KLM's A330-200:

Row 10, decent legroom
AVOD - Outstanding

Service - It's KLM, need I say more. Was not as good as WBC of course but not bad

Food - Pretty good

KLM's vegetarian choice in coach is usually the "Asian vegetarian" -- always a nice spicy curry with roti. It's definitely my favourite airline meal outside WBC! :D

EWR-AMS on KLM's A330-200

Is this NW flight 64? I am on this flight this Sat. and I was wondering if it is operated by NW or KLM? I have been trying to wrangle an upgrade from B fare all month without success (using CO onepass miles). There appears to be room upfront so is it possible to score an upgrade using miles on the day of travel or is it just like CO (24 hour embargo). Thanks in advance.

EWR-AMS on KLM's A330-200

Is this NW flight 64? I am on this flight this Sat. and I was wondering if it is operated by NW or KLM? I have been trying to wrangle an upgrade from B fare all month without success (using CO onepass miles). There appears to be room upfront so is it possible to score an upgrade using miles on the day of travel or is it just like CO (24 hour embargo). Thanks in advance.

It just changed from KLM to NW. I took it on the 17th of this month and it was KLM but see now that it's NW.

As for the upgrade I would think you could have the ticket reissued before your trip commences, assuming WBC becomes avl, but be advised that I am sure they'll zing ya the $100 change fee to do it.

I just upgraded my wife, day of departure, on a flight from JFK to MSP we were on from coach to FC after I was EUA'ed and they charged me not only the new fare, $150 higher but the change fee too. So total upgrade price was $250. I know, I know most people say NW FC is not worth it but I had to keep "pregnant momma" happy!

EWR-AMS on KLM's A330-200

Is this NW flight 64? I am on this flight this Sat. and I was wondering if it is operated by NW or KLM? I have been trying to wrangle an upgrade from B fare all month without success (using CO onepass miles). There appears to be room upfront so is it possible to score an upgrade using miles on the day of travel or is it just like CO (24 hour embargo). Thanks in advance.

If it's operated by KLM you have a chance. If it's operated by NWA, good luck. I've never been able to upgrade on that route with mileage, even as a PE. KLM has, on occasion, allowed me to upgrade--once with mileage and once without mileage. Both were booked in NWA "B" class. I was able to upgrade with mileage at the gate. At the time, I was gold elite and I guess they figured that taking my mileage was better than flying with an empty WBC seat.

Good luck.

Could someone explain what a "Heinz bowl" is? Thanks.

Don't forget about the snack bar KL has in the galley! Mars Bars, pretzels, chocolate malt balls, and tons of drinks (water, soda, juices) all poured out for you. It was great to go back there and take a few snacks before resuming my AVOD movie :). Eh, service is ok though.

I just upgraded my wife, day of departure, on a flight from JFK to MSP we were on from coach to FC after I was EUA'ed and they charged me not only the new fare, $150 higher but the change fee too. So total upgrade price was $250. I know, I know most people say NW FC is not worth it but I had to keep "pregnant momma" happy!


Why not just give her your seat and keep the $250? I don't think that one 2.5 hour segment is worth that much... My opinion of course. :)

Could someone explain what a "Heinz bowl" is? Thanks.

OK. A Heinz bowl sounds digusting. I have no idea what it is, but perhaps it's somewhere hidden in here: http://www.airlinemeals.net/meals/Northwest221260.htm

I'm going to keep on searching for this so-called "Heinz Bowl" until this putrid-sounding meal shows it's ugly face. :p

I did SEA-AMS RT on NW 330 this January. This November, I finally got long-haul on KLM, AMS-EBB on a 767 (if I recall) and NBO-AMS on a 777. All of those were in coach, and all of them were among my best coach experiences in terms of IFE etc. The KL 777 was particularly impressive in the AVOD department, but it was a red-eye, so I watched a few minutes of a couple movies and slept.

Some members of the cabin crew on the KL 777 were particularly curt, and a colleague who works in The Hague said something about knowing she was "back in f---ing Dutch country" after one FA asked her to "please return to your seat so I can do my job" (instead of just going past her in the aisle, since there was nothing requiring her to be in her seat).

Every flight arrived early, but since all my NW and KL flights have tended to do that, I wasn't surprised...

Generally, I'll take either NW or KL for any flight >5 hours in economy, a lot sooner than I'd take any non-Skyteam US-based carrier, or even BA. The service level, comfort and IFE tend to be on about the same level as the east Asian carriers I've been on (NH, CI) which is pretty darn good.

How is the IFE on NW/KLM 767's?

Could someone explain what a "Heinz bowl" is? Thanks.

It is a microwave container type of meal made by the Heinz company.
They look (and probably are) like something you could buy at the supermarket for 90 cents. We had a choice of chicken or pasta, both were tasteless. The pasta was Tortellini but was very inconsistant in texture and taste. The chicken had some sauce we could not identify.
On the other hand the FA's were great. (Trip back AMS-MSP on Thanksgiving)

How is the IFE on NW/KLM 767's?

NW has no 767's, so it's nonexistent on theirs. ;)

On KLM, I'm trying to remember what there was on the AMS-EBB leg. I think it may have been sequential showing of selected movies in coach. On the 777 I flew NBO-AMS, it was my choice of movie from quite a selection, starting whenever I wanted it to start.

The coach seat on NW 330's is far from the worst I've had to sit in - at least some of them. The center section, aisles, near the front seem the best bet - I believe there's a little extra leg room up there compared to the outer aisle seats. 13G was tolerable for the overnight MEM-AMS flight. Coming back 11C - aisle with no seat in front provided loads'o'leg room, although I wouldn't want it overnight because of being a bit exposed to carts etc

Row 10, decent legroom



I am new to this, but how do you get row 10 on a KLM flight? OLCI at 23:59? When I call the SE line they only offer me 11.

I called the elite line and had them change to the KLM system for reservations and in that system it allows them to assign row 10. The NW system WILL NOT even show row 10 on KLM flights. They were very specific though in telling me that it did not mean I would actually get it. KLM's rules are that bulkhead and exit row are assigned day of departure only and that if they see them pre-assigned they will sometimes boot the person out.

I got lucky I guess. My itin showed row 11, as that's what I picked when I booked online, and did not actually show row 10 until I printed out my boarding pass.

To go a step further the elite line told me that KLM can even boot you out once your checked in. For whatever reason KLM seems very protective of these seats!

the HEINZ food bowl you recieve on every ex-AMS flight. Never tried the chicken. The Pasta is very good IMO

I called the elite line and had them change to the KLM system for reservations and in that system it allows them to assign row 10. The NW system WILL NOT even show row 10 on KLM flights. They were very specific though in telling me that it did not mean I would actually get it. KLM's rules are that bulkhead and exit row are assigned day of departure only and that if they see them pre-assigned they will sometimes boot the person out.

But that's the case with most airlines -- the seats you pick on your reservation are requests only and you are not guaranteed to get those (even if you normally do).

Last year I went ATL-MEM-YVR in First (DL award ticket). First leg was DL to MEM and then NW. The latter was pathetic. I can only pity those in coach if this flight was in any way representative of NW.

jimc - I just missed you! Flew AMS-MSP on 21st.

Ok, we're making a big deal about the art/branding on the plastic cover that covers the meals? COME ON! I did notice it said Heniz, but didn't make me think I was in for some cheap ketchup surprise. As I mentioned above, just flew the AMS-MSP sector and had the choice of vegetarian spinach tortelini or thai chicken. I had the chicken and found it to be good, but remotely Thai. I thought the portions were fine and tasteful. I especially liked the variety of small salads on the side.

On the return, it was vegetarian curry or chicken. I had the curry, which was fine, but could have had more flavor and spice. But I guess when you're cooking for 300, you have to be attempt to please all palates. I'm not so sure though serving curry with chicpeas to a plane load of people is the wisest idea. If you know what I mean... It affected me so I know it affected others!

This was my first trip in Y on the new 330s and was a bit uncomfortable in the Y seats, especially on return. AVOD is great though.

To the original poster - FYI - NWA handles the KLM meals in the USA and KLM handles the NWA meals in AMS. So, by praising the food n the KLM flight out of the USA and disgusted with the food out of AMS, you're directing your anger towards the wrwong people!


AZJ

To the original poster - FYI - NWA handles the KLM meals in the USA and KLM handles the NWA meals in AMS. So, by praising the food n the KLM flight out of the USA and disgusted with the food out of AMS, you're directing your anger towards the wrwong people!


AZJ

I am aware that NW handles US-Europe meals and vice versa. I would venture to say that the meal quality diffrences that I experienced had more to do with what airline wanted to spend more money on meals than anything else.

I have been a very loyal NW elite member for 12 years and will continue to do so. My post was in no way meant to slam NW but rather to share with my experiences of NW vs KLM in coach since this was my first coach flight overseas, in the past have always traveled WBC.

My recent experience with row 10 on KL -- NW plat folks booked it for me, and it held on IAD-AMS outbound, even though I checked in only at airport.

On return, KLM took it away with no comment. Seatguru says they use it for bassinet, but not in this case -- was a middle age pax, obviously more important than I.

How are the window seats in row 10 on NW A330

Does the emergency slide limit your legroom?
Is the noise from the galley really that bothersome like seatguru would suggest?

Row 10, at least H&J, on the NW 330 were fine. The slide does inhibit you a little bit but I am 6-1 and it was not bad for me. I found noise from the galley to be very minimal.

One other observation I failed to mention when I originally posted was that in coach KLM came around with hot towels, paper type ones, twice going to AMS. Nice touch.

So the KLM Heinz bowls are DISGUSTING! Had them on my flight to AMS then from AMS to EBB and JRO to AMS. They have to go.

My NW flight from AMS to MSP food was incredibly better, and actually a bit tasty for airline food.

Love the snack basket on KLM, though mostly candies.

NW didn't have a midflight ice cream, what happened to that?

That Heinz, Uncle Bens and Dolmio (what I have seen) bowls seems to appear on both KL and NW flights out of AMS, and I am not to keen on this food. I have had it on both airlines going betweeen AMS and SEA, then on AMS GRU 3 months later,, same fiery Uncle Bens Sezchuan chicken :td:
I think I'll order a special meal on my next flight out of AMS...

That Heinz, Uncle Bens and Dolmio (what I have seen) bowls seems to appear on both KL and NW flights out of AMS, and I am not to keen on this food. I have had it on both airlines going betweeen AMS and SEA, then on AMS GRU 3 months later,, same fiery Uncle Bens Sezchuan chicken :td:
I think I'll order a special meal on my next flight out of AMS...
try to take the pasta next time, that's much better IMO

I would venture to say that the meal quality diffrences that I experienced had more to do with what airline wanted to spend more money on meals than anything else.

I thought I might entertain everyone with my experiences with NWA on my overseas flight last week. This was the first time I have used NWA internationally since 1996.
First, I did get upgraded both ways using my CO onepass miles (standard award level) and I have to give kudos to OP for getting the upgrades. (As an aside, I have yet to have a problem using OP for either international upgrades or awards.) My flights were from EWR to AMS and CDG to DTW. I think that the A330s were very nice, clean new planes. The lie flat seats were nice to sleep in and somewhat more comfortable than CO 777 BF seat, but I think that this comparison is a wash between the two airlines. What was surprising to me was that I was not able to lie flat in my seat without getting my feet caught under the seat in front of me. I am tall and I didn't have this problem going to AMS since I had a bulkhead seat, but coming back I was in row three, and I discovered this problem at that time.
The AVOD was outstanding. It beats the pants off of CO's 2nd generation system. (Aside, I do hear CO is replacing its system, first on 757's).
The food. Well, the food was not very good. This is the one place that NW needs to address. People who spend lots of money to fly up front should not have to eat a main course that would not have served in coach a decade ago. This is strictly a money issue and NW needs to address this. CO BF food is far superior both in content and presentation. Service was excellent on both flights going and coming.
Overall, I would say that WBC is a good service on the 330's. The value was even better given how reasonable the B fares were. I would certainly take it in the future.

I was on NW 67 last Thursday from AMS to DTW in 10H. Best seat in the
house apart from WBC. But they wouldn't upgrade me, even though I speak
Dutch ( which everyone says is helpful ). I was the second guy to ask, the
first one got the upgrade. No complaints here, fair is fair.
Food was Bertolli chicken or pasta. I chose the chicken. IMHO not the worst
airline food I ever had. On a scale of 1-10 it rates a 7. So, nothing to complain about under the circumstances.
I flew KL once in coach up front in economy at the two row seats, but service
was nothing to say anything good about. Well, yes, they left a basket with chocolates and crackers there, which NW did not. Seats were as good/bad as
one expects. FAs were inattentive as expected, no surprise there.
Always remember : There really is no difference between any U.S. or Western
European Airlines. Better than Aeroflot any day of the week. But nothing worth mentioning compared to any Asian airline, even the ones from mainland China.
Now to go one step further, WBC in NWA is miles ahead of the KL product.
Both in quality of service as well as the comfort level in the seats.
But that's just my 5 cents ( maybe less in other currencies ) worth.