Confirmed: KLM introduces Economy Comfort short-haul
#226
Join Date: Dec 2012
Programs: DL GM, SK EBG
Posts: 7
What annoys me the most is the complete randomness of the seat assignments.
Apparently there is no fare class for economy comfort, so the EC seats go first to whoever is prepared to fork over the extra 10 or 20€ or for free to the lucky few with Plat status. The rest of us lowly regular customers are deported to the back of the plane, while the people checking in last will get the remaining EC seats for free because no regular economy seating is available.
I am through AMS around 120 times each year, and after the EC seating implementation, basically all regular travelers that I recognize on the same flights every week who would previously be seated in the front part of the economy section are now scattered around in the back of the plane, while infrequent travelers now occupy the front seats of that section. So I ask KLM: Is this all about money and your way of telling us to get lost because you do not want our regular business?
What is next to go? The lounge access? Priority boarding? The extra baggage allowance?
Now, to end this on a positive note with a suggestion:
Instead of taking away privileges that are appreciated, why not provide the option of exchanging one privilege for another.
Most of the time when I travel, I bring only a laptop or a small overnight bag as carry on and don't use the two pieces checked-in baggage allowance, as my priority is to get out of the plane and onwards to my transport connection/destination.
If one bag of two bags allowance could be exchanged with access to EC zone, this could go a long way towards solving the problem, for example the choice could be offered at web check- in: 2nd bag free or EC zone access.
Apparently there is no fare class for economy comfort, so the EC seats go first to whoever is prepared to fork over the extra 10 or 20€ or for free to the lucky few with Plat status. The rest of us lowly regular customers are deported to the back of the plane, while the people checking in last will get the remaining EC seats for free because no regular economy seating is available.
I am through AMS around 120 times each year, and after the EC seating implementation, basically all regular travelers that I recognize on the same flights every week who would previously be seated in the front part of the economy section are now scattered around in the back of the plane, while infrequent travelers now occupy the front seats of that section. So I ask KLM: Is this all about money and your way of telling us to get lost because you do not want our regular business?
What is next to go? The lounge access? Priority boarding? The extra baggage allowance?
Now, to end this on a positive note with a suggestion:
Instead of taking away privileges that are appreciated, why not provide the option of exchanging one privilege for another.
Most of the time when I travel, I bring only a laptop or a small overnight bag as carry on and don't use the two pieces checked-in baggage allowance, as my priority is to get out of the plane and onwards to my transport connection/destination.
If one bag of two bags allowance could be exchanged with access to EC zone, this could go a long way towards solving the problem, for example the choice could be offered at web check- in: 2nd bag free or EC zone access.
#227
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Parma(IT) / Rotterdam(NL)
Programs: FB Plat
Posts: 55
or.... why not give GOLD (and maybe even SILVER) free seating in EC? (again.... please note that you hear this from a PLAT).
It would be interesting to see how a short haul european flight is split in economy in average with:
1. non members
2. ivory
3. silver
4. gold
5. plat
6. plat for life
is it really so that if you add up 3+4+5+6 you fill up EC? I don't believe that! They just screwed up! It really seems they studyed the way to make loyal customers.... pissed off!
It would be interesting to see how a short haul european flight is split in economy in average with:
1. non members
2. ivory
3. silver
4. gold
5. plat
6. plat for life
is it really so that if you add up 3+4+5+6 you fill up EC? I don't believe that! They just screwed up! It really seems they studyed the way to make loyal customers.... pissed off!
#228
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Parma(IT) / Rotterdam(NL)
Programs: FB Plat
Posts: 55
- SILVER and GOLD are relegated to the back of the plane
- unfrequent travellers and late check in travellers are given EC for free
It's simple and easy, not random at all.
#229
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Rhineland-Palatinate
Programs: *A Gold (A3), HHonor Diamond
Posts: 5,613
I am in Schiphol now, just out of my SVG-AMS and waiting for my AMS-CDG. Plane was a 738, as usual exit rows were empty but for two Pax. EC had same density as the rest of the plane, i.e. nearly full. Difficult to know if people paid for it or were upgraded at the gate for free as i boarded late due to chaotic security queues at SVG.
The seats did not look new or special to me. I was in 10C (did not want to spend 119 NOK on EC) and the leg room was very good, certainly the same than in EC.
The seats did not look new or special to me. I was in 10C (did not want to spend 119 NOK on EC) and the leg room was very good, certainly the same than in EC.
#234
Join Date: May 2010
Programs: Delta Silver, HH Gold, Accor Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 5,338
What an utter joke...
See my post here
32 EC seats available from AMS to HEL and only 4 available in Y
See my post here
32 EC seats available from AMS to HEL and only 4 available in Y
Should be fun to watch how any 'upgrades' may be executed. I am sitting directly behind EC so should have a good view of the cabin (although I sure hope the extra recline of the seat in front of me is compensated).
#235
Moderator: Aegean Miles+Bonus
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: AMS / ATH
Programs: AFKL Plat, A3 Gold
Posts: 7,316
#236
Join Date: May 2010
Programs: Delta Silver, HH Gold, Accor Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 5,338
I'm flying to GVA, and according to Flightstats (don't know about the accuracy, I don't have KVS/EF) the flight is zeroed out in all classes. There are now 16/30 EC seats available and only 8 normal Economy seats.
Should be fun to watch how any 'upgrades' may be executed. I am sitting directly behind EC so should have a good view of the cabin (although I sure hope the extra recline of the seat in front of me is compensated).
Should be fun to watch how any 'upgrades' may be executed. I am sitting directly behind EC so should have a good view of the cabin (although I sure hope the extra recline of the seat in front of me is compensated).
#237
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: London
Programs: SK Gold, ITA Executive, Sixt Diamond, Hertz PC, Avis PC, IHG Platinum
Posts: 5,163
#239
Join Date: May 2010
Programs: Delta Silver, HH Gold, Accor Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 5,338
Confirmed: KLM introduces Economy Comfort short-haul
Onboard now and no way EC is filled with Plats. A lot of little children and (seemingly) infrequent travellers. Same for the EER.
Pluspoint is that boarding was incredibly fast. Must have begon early. Remarable was that the SP lane was physically blocked by baggagecarts.
Pluspoint is that boarding was incredibly fast. Must have begon early. Remarable was that the SP lane was physically blocked by baggagecarts.
#240
Join Date: May 2010
Programs: Delta Silver, HH Gold, Accor Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 5,338
Shortly after boarding was complete, a man came from the back of the aircraft with a member of the cabin crew to look for space to stow his carry-on. He found space above row 6 (EC), stowed his bag, and took place in 6B, one of two remaining unoccupied EC seats!
None of the cabin crew blinked an eye. Absolutely disgraceful. .
Plus, the legroom was not bad until a bloody ~6 year old decided to FULLY recline his seat, leaving me, with 1,95m, cramped..
None of the cabin crew blinked an eye. Absolutely disgraceful. .
Plus, the legroom was not bad until a bloody ~6 year old decided to FULLY recline his seat, leaving me, with 1,95m, cramped..