Originally Posted by
Romanianflyer
I don't know if anything has improved in the last 2 years on KLM's short haul flights (haven't flown since) but I always thought the product was subpar compared to Air France. With AF you get a PDB, refreshment towel (OK a cheap prepackaged one, but still) and vastly superior food. Then the French have proper champagne (compared to the cheap Cava which KL serves) and better wines.
The pictures below are both from AMS-CDG flights - I know which airline I pick any day of the week if schedule allows!
I do prefer Air France food as well, but their seat pitch is worse than KLMs, so that's something to consider too.
And since we're on the subject, why is KLM not trying to actually sell intra Europe business class? Their prices are prohibitive (i.e. over 1000 pounds from UK, full flex only fares). It seems the whole product is strictly an add on to long haul, "upgrades" are a joke, and hence the cabin is often empty.
Whereas if you look at BA's Club Europe, the offer is hugely popular, rows and rows of seats filled, even on domestic flights (although I don't know to what degree this is caused by cut backs in Y), and no wonder - for what you get, and without status, prices are very reasonable.
From where I live, local UK location served by KL and BA only, business class cost to the continental Europe can be as low as 300, occasionally even less. That's very close to what KLM asks for Economy on certain days, and it's getting harder and harder to ignore.
In the long run I'll probably have to make a choice - to fly economy with KLM trying to keep status in order not to pay for luggage, lounge etc, or to get all the perks with the competitor without all this loyalty game nonsense.