Confirmed: KLM introduces Economy Comfort short-haul
#451
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Tucson, AZ, USA. UA 1K, reluctant but * best in class * DL FO/MM. Former BA jumpseat rider and scourge of Dilbertian management and apologists. As LX might - and do - say: "....an experienced frequent flyer of international airlines"
Posts: 3,386
I know this is not really the proper thread, and I also know that one swallow does not a summer make, but since I've mentioned that I would switch my commute to SK here several times, I thought I would post some brief first impressions.
- OLCI. SK's android app is nothing fancy, but it seems to do the job. It actually shows a seat map without making you jump through hoops several times, and there is none of this EC nonsense.
- Fast Track. SK has its own dedicated CPH security checkpoint, but it may only be used by premium pax and Eurobonus Gold. Regular security also has Fast Track lanes for participating airlines, but that doesn't work if you are flying SK. Star Alliance Gold will therefore not get you into any Fast Track lane if you are flying SK. So much for reciprocity and seamless alliance benefits.
- Lounge. It won't come as a surprise that the Novia lounge can't hold a candle to SK's. The latter even has a whole floor reserved for *G passengers. As far as amenities go, the differences appear to be minimal, but the *G floor is much quieter. The catering selection is not much different from what the Crown Lounges offer, but quality is substantially higher (I admit to not having tasted everything. Breakfast was replaced by lunch whilst I was there, and there are limits to how much I can eat.
- Boarding. No priority boarding, but the whole process was very smooth and quick. The incoming aircraft was late, but they managed to turn it around in 24 minutes: 4 minutes for disembarkation via the integral stairs and apron; 2 minutes for cleaning (really, I timed it, and they managed to fill two big bags with trash in that time); 6 minutes for the crew change; and 12 minutes to board 80+ pax. I should like to see KL do that.
-In flight. Apart from a few pax in SAS Plus (SK's reinvention of KL's Europe Select wheel), I was the only one with a vacant adjacent seat. Pure luck, I presume. After the lounge visit there was no way I was going to buy anything from the menu, but the selection looked OK. Sure beats KL's E-number snacks. Coffee and tea were free, but I don't drink that stuff. Despite a slightly late departure, we arrived 13 minutes early.
All in all, the experience was not disappointing.
Johan
- OLCI. SK's android app is nothing fancy, but it seems to do the job. It actually shows a seat map without making you jump through hoops several times, and there is none of this EC nonsense.
- Fast Track. SK has its own dedicated CPH security checkpoint, but it may only be used by premium pax and Eurobonus Gold. Regular security also has Fast Track lanes for participating airlines, but that doesn't work if you are flying SK. Star Alliance Gold will therefore not get you into any Fast Track lane if you are flying SK. So much for reciprocity and seamless alliance benefits.
- Lounge. It won't come as a surprise that the Novia lounge can't hold a candle to SK's. The latter even has a whole floor reserved for *G passengers. As far as amenities go, the differences appear to be minimal, but the *G floor is much quieter. The catering selection is not much different from what the Crown Lounges offer, but quality is substantially higher (I admit to not having tasted everything. Breakfast was replaced by lunch whilst I was there, and there are limits to how much I can eat.
- Boarding. No priority boarding, but the whole process was very smooth and quick. The incoming aircraft was late, but they managed to turn it around in 24 minutes: 4 minutes for disembarkation via the integral stairs and apron; 2 minutes for cleaning (really, I timed it, and they managed to fill two big bags with trash in that time); 6 minutes for the crew change; and 12 minutes to board 80+ pax. I should like to see KL do that.
-In flight. Apart from a few pax in SAS Plus (SK's reinvention of KL's Europe Select wheel), I was the only one with a vacant adjacent seat. Pure luck, I presume. After the lounge visit there was no way I was going to buy anything from the menu, but the selection looked OK. Sure beats KL's E-number snacks. Coffee and tea were free, but I don't drink that stuff. Despite a slightly late departure, we arrived 13 minutes early.
All in all, the experience was not disappointing.
Johan
Can't speak for SK onboard yet...I flew Cimber's RJ while they were still in business but that ride sucked as bad as every other CR2 ride.
#452
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: London
Programs: SK Gold, ITA Executive, Sixt Diamond, Hertz PC, Avis PC, IHG Platinum
Posts: 5,163
Somehow managed to OLCI on the computer. Couldn't change the seats from those that I've selected a month ago.
First couldn't send the email version of BP to my phone, but SMS one worked.
Is it possible to somehow add BP into PassBook on an iPhone?
Good things was that, while checking for tomorrow's MAN-AMS flight, it let me check in for the return on Sunday (same PNR).
First couldn't send the email version of BP to my phone, but SMS one worked.
Is it possible to somehow add BP into PassBook on an iPhone?
Good things was that, while checking for tomorrow's MAN-AMS flight, it let me check in for the return on Sunday (same PNR).
#454
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2000
Posts: 14,352
Haven't flown KL for a while, but just checked the one upcoming flight I have scheduled with them this year. Guess what? I'm still stuck in row 6, without any option to pick a seat in any other EC row. They still love their LTPEs, apparently.
Johan
Johan
#455
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2000
Posts: 14,352
At least all three EC rows were available at OLCI, but 10 out of 18 seats were already taken. This is on a flight that is showing Y9 all the way down to Q9, so there must be a heck of a lot of PEs amongst the pax. Will make sure to keep my eyes peeled for them, especially those who undoubtedly will be crammed into as yet vacant the middle seats.
Johan
Johan
#456
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2000
Posts: 14,352
Flew KL for the first time in a while today, and was not surprised to see that the airline is like a leopard: just can't change its spots.
Three standby pax were given boarding cards for EB at the gate. No prize for guessing that they were non-revs. I suppose the idea was to remind the fare paying J pax that they were crazy to pay for a product that KL happily gives away for free to the right people.
Looking on the bright side, the EC middle seats actually remained unoccupied. I was stunned. Shocked. Flabbergasted. Dazed. Still reeling.
Johan
Three standby pax were given boarding cards for EB at the gate. No prize for guessing that they were non-revs. I suppose the idea was to remind the fare paying J pax that they were crazy to pay for a product that KL happily gives away for free to the right people.
Looking on the bright side, the EC middle seats actually remained unoccupied. I was stunned. Shocked. Flabbergasted. Dazed. Still reeling.
Johan
#457
Moderator: Flying Blue (Air France & KLM)
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Rotterdam, NL
Programs: Flying Blue (AF/KL)
Posts: 4,711
Three standby pax were given boarding cards for EB at the gate. No prize for guessing that they were non-revs. I suppose the idea was to remind the fare paying J pax that they were crazy to pay for a product that KL happily gives away for free to the right people.
Johan
Johan
Assuming that it was in accordance with standard IPB procedure I do not see what the problem is.
#458
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2000
Posts: 14,352
#459
Moderator: Flying Blue (Air France & KLM)
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Rotterdam, NL
Programs: Flying Blue (AF/KL)
Posts: 4,711
All short-haul aircraft have been refitted
Highlights from the TA newsletter:
The seatmaps have been updated.
- EC is now available on all short-haul aircrafts;
- On F70 aircraft EC is rows 3 through 6. Extra space has been realized by introducing the slimline seats;
- On E190 EC is rows 3 through 7 and has been created by re-spacing of the aircraft.
The seatmaps have been updated.
#460
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: MME (midway between NCL and LBA)
Programs: BA Gold, AF/KL Gold, Hilton Gold, Nordic Choice Gold
Posts: 739
A bit disenchanted with KL at the moment, 99 segments credited this year and I really don't feel that valued as a customer. However on picking my seats for next Wednesday's AMS-MME Fokker 70 flight I was offered an EC seat.
Quite what difference this will make on the 55 minutes to Teesside I don't know but I guess it will make it slightly easier for elites to to be nearer the front of the plane (not of course that this is an advantage when landing at AMS as you are just nearer the back of the bus).
Quite what difference this will make on the 55 minutes to Teesside I don't know but I guess it will make it slightly easier for elites to to be nearer the front of the plane (not of course that this is an advantage when landing at AMS as you are just nearer the back of the bus).