KLM 652 IAD-AMS 1810-0745 (+1) A-330
KLM 1355 AMS-PRG 1200-1330 Fokker-70
International travel. International PREMIUM cabin travel. On a foreign airline. And I entered the plane the way I should have, slightly toasted. Not so much so that I couldn't function, but like a good engine, I was well lubricated shall we say.
However, I would like to say that as nice as the above seats and cabin were, it did feel a bit like I was back in the mid-2000s. Close proximity to neighbor, older style recline-y seat, no where near full flat layout etc. This just meant that the crew would have to do a lot to make up for it. Oh and I promise I'm really not that arrogant, I've just come to expect a lot from non-US airlines.
No comb? That's lame!
Takeoff! And annoyingly, there was a huge tailwind so we were going to be an hour early. Not good news when you already have a 4 plus hour layover and you want as much sleep (and you know, food and drinks) as possible. But still, better than another ground delay, I've had my fill of those today.
Speaking of it feeling like 2003, how about this old, clunky, badly focused IFE screen? The remote was also problematic as due to its wiring, the select and up buttons ended up being pressed together unless you used a very delicate touch which meant I kept selecting my movie in French instead of English.
I'm so confused!
Now we're talking, hot nuts and a scotch. Though this ranks as the weirdest glass I've drank scotch out of (though I've had wine out of coffee mugs, but that's another story).
Here we have the appetizer which is:
Lobster claw, Scottish smoked salmon and peppered smoked salmon served with wasabi mayonnaise in cucumber. :
As good as it was, the plastic salad bowl ticked me off a bit. Also, the salad tasted awful to me, but that may just be because I'm really picky when it comes to my vegetables. However, the seafood was excellent and I liked the mayonnaise in the cucumber, nice touch that.
Meat and potatoes. Can you go wrong with that? Allow me to answer: no, no you can't. This was:
Traditional Hutspot
A Dutch specialty featuring mashed potatoes, carrots and onions served with braised beef .
Also on offer was:
Salmon in Phyllo
Enchanced by saffron tomato sauce and vegetable sticks
Grilled Breast of Chicken
Served with creamy herby sauce, tomato risoto, sauteed spinach with pine nuts and carrots
Annoyingly, despite the menu claiming there would be a blueberry cheesecake, we instead received this fruit and cheese plate. Granted, it was quite good, but I don't like when the printed word lies to me.
So after that and watching “Wag the Dog” then the first half of “Contagion” I reclined my seat as far as it would go (not as far as I like in case you forgot my complaints earlier) and caught about two hours of sleep. Not much, but as my brother always points out, I'm quite good at running on little sleep. And despite having eaten plenty, I was ready for breakfast! Afterall, these meals won't photograph themselves now will they?
I asked the flight attendant which of the dishes he recommended (either a danish or a “strata” (?)) and he said he liked the danish so with it I went. And it was actually quite good, though I've never understood the European practice of cold cuts and cheese for breakfast. But that's probably because I associate them with sandwiches for lunch.
So time for the KLM verdict and I'd say that outside of the seat and the old IFE system, it is highly positive. Meals were great, alcohol selection good (though I only tried Port, none of the other wines), service top notch and friendly and the A-330 was very nice. This was actually my first 330 ride and while I may prefer 4 engines 4 long haul, I can't knock the plane.
You know you're flying high-class when there's product in the bathroom!
Oh goody we're here an hour early. Super. Grand. I will just go kill 5 hours instead of 4 while wondering if my body clock will ever be the same again.