So much for all the preflight planning, it’s time for the day of departure!

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines 641
Route: Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS) – New York John F. Kennedy (JFK)
Aircraft: Boeing 777-206ER
Registration: PH-BGF, named Ferrara City
Flight time: 13:25-15:30 (sched.)
Duration: 08:05h (sched.)
Seat: 03C, changed to 03D inflight

We had a nice early afternoon departure. No early rise required this time. We arrived at Schiphol’s long term parking around ten and then took one of the shuttles to the terminal. There were huuuuuuge lines at the Economy class check-in/bag drop so we were happy we could bypass those and use the Skypriority area. Upon showing my BP, me and my family were promptly admitted. We had a short wait as there were a number of people in front and it seemed the check-in system had a bad day.

When it was our turn, we were helped by a young friendly lady and I gave all our BP’s and passports. She asked in which name each suitcase should go under but that didn’t matter the slightest to me. She also tagged all our bags with the priority labels, although the printer gave her trouble. She said it was also her first day at work and asked for our patience. I told her I was fine with that as she was very friendly and chatty. I also informed about the loadfactor and she called a colleague to check. J was relatively empty while Economy was slightly overbooked.

After the bags were successfully on their way to the plane, she asked if I knew the way to the lounge and wished us a pleasant flight. We went directly to immigration where my entire family was allowed to enter the (Sky)priority lane.

One tip when you go through AMS and have Skypriority. Use the LEFT lane at immigration in Departure 2. Flight crew constantly cut through the right lane. I learned my lesson…

The total wait was still short and we were airside without questions (as it should be). I briefly went to some shops and bought some duty free. After, I went up to the KLM Crown Lounge near pier F. I wanted to guest my father in on account of my Aerolineas Platinum (Elite+) status but unfortunately that status did not show up on my BP properly and I only had a print out of my card. After presenting my BP and card I indicated he was my guest. The lady (I won’t use dragon yet) said she could check my status and apparently it came through in good order so we were both wished a pleasant stay in the lounge.


As said in a previous thread, it was not only my first time in J but also in any lounge. We first sat down at one of the tables near the main ‘dining’ area (my god those cafeteria stools are crap! They feel like they can break down any moment). We got some drinks and snacks from the self service buffet. There were hot rolls, some pastries and croissants, boiled (scrambled?) egg, meat, cheeses and spreads, various types of cookies including macaroons (they went out fast) and hearty nibbles like nuts and rice crackers. In addition there was one hot item; chicken Marsala. My father tried it but he wasn’t a fan.


Drinks included a soda fountain, coffee machine, chilled juices, booze dispensers on the wall, a beer tap and wines and bubbly were cooled in a container. I did miss my all time favorite ginger ale though.


Cutlery and glassware were from the Marcel Wanders productline.

The main buffet area was quite crowded and staff was constantly clearing plates but could not keep up. After some more snacks we moved to another area and took some drinks with us. All window seats were occupied unfortunately.


With my dad settled in I explored the rest of the lounge and found the business area, relaxation room and more seating. Although it was busy around the entrance, the further seating area’s were quiet and I will certainly go there in the future. Between the various seating areas, KL has dedicated coffeecorners with basic drinks and cookies and at some places a more extensive buffet like the one at the main entrance.

I have to say I like the interior of the lounge. Sleek and modern. Staff could do a better job of clearing up used plates/glasses in the seating areas but on the whole the lounge was clean and maintained well.


Wifi was free of course but I’d rather use my 3G.

During our stay in the lounge I also went by the service desk to change my frequent flyer number to Flying Blue. I also want them to link our PNR’s for the return flight but sadly the reservation agent was having her break and would not be back until our boarding time had already begun.

A couple of glasses of bubbly later, we decided to leave and go to the gate. We met up with the rest of the family and were at the gate early. Security was already being processed but boarding was not.


There was no Skypriority lane but it was not necessary anyways as there was nobody in front. There was a WTMD and a body scanner and I went through the metal detector. Although it didn’t beep, I still got frisked. Everybody did so it must have been because it’s a US-bound flight. No interview was held but before security our BP and passports were checked by security staff, not KLM staff. After grabbing my belongings from the X-ray, my boarding pass was scanned by the very friendly and cheerful gate agent. She was full of smiles and jokes.

It was here I began to notice the extra attention for World Business Class pax. The passengers in front of my were wished a ‘fijne reis’ after their BP scan and so was my family behind me. I, on the other hand, was greeted with a ‘fijne reis, meneer XXXXX’.

Although boarding was to commence at 12:20, that time went by without any signs of boarding. So I went to the desk to ask if there were seats with the seat besides unoccupied.

There was quite a long wait as a large family had no seat assignments yet. Also, the crew arrived so they had to be handled first. Cockpit crew today were two older gentlemen.

When it was my turn I informed the agent about my request. She said 3D and 3E were still free but advised to change when in flight. I also asked about the overbooking situation. She said Economy was still overbooked but expected some passengers to miss their connection so no op-ups were needed. I joked my father was jealously seating in the back and he wouldn’t mind sitting next to me.

Around 25 minutes after boarding time on the boarding pass, the agent went to the jetway to open the doors. As usual in AMS, the whole gate sprung up and swarmed to the entrance. Luckily the agent announced it was boarding for Business Class and much to my appreciation enforced it. People got turned away it they weren’t in WBC or had Skypriority. I managed to get to the front, showed my BP and was let through. My family was initially stopped but a simple ‘they’re with me’ let them through as well.

Nice to see that priority boarding worked this time however I still think the entire set up is wrong and difficult for the agent. Everyone gets their BP scanned before entering the holding pen. In my opinion it would be much easier for the GA to scan the BP before entering the jetway so that they can easier turn people away when their group is not called yet. The current set up does not allow for an orderly line to form for the jetway so when they announce any boarding group, the entrance is flooded from all directions and it is difficult to check.