My SO flew KLM business on the ATH route just before christmas, after not having flown klm for years (typically flies *A). While she is not into aviation at all, and generally doesn’t care about service and catering too much, it was nothing but complaints after arrival.

- No drinks served except a single rounds during meal service
- Meal itself (Bean salad wanders box) was borderline inedible. Hot economy snack was server with the meal rather than at the end of the flight.
- Crew disappeared after meal for the rest of the flight. Not even an offer for coffee.

Since it was only 3 non-Dutch speaking pax in the business cabin she distinctly got the feeling of the service lacking because of that fact. Rushed meal service, and zero interaction for the rest of the flight. Crew was having a good time drinking coffee themselves in the galley, ready for the holidays to start.

Needless to say she asked me to book Aegean on this route next time. While I personally am a stickler for details and may be rather harsh with an airline when it comes to service, having a non-aviation-geek basically come to the same conclusions is.. saying something.