Originally Posted by TrayflowInUK
As a NW Platinum who has flown ~40 intra-Europe segments on KL each of the past two years, I wholeheartedly disagree with this. When I go to KLM.com for OLCI, I generally find I've been put in the first 5-6 rows of economy. I can't recall being assigned anything behind the exit row in recent memory.
I was on recent flights from North America to Europe and back, with a connection in AMS. As a NW Platinum using NWA.com checkin leaving from North America, I was assigned row 24 in the 737-300 - the absolute worst seat on the plane - last row, by the bathrooms, with no recline. Checking in on KLM.com for the return on the 737-900, KLM's system originally placed me in the last 5 rows, but since KLM.com lets you change your seats online, I was at least able to move my seat to the front of the plane. I don't think you can change an Intra-European KLM seat when you use NWA.com to check in.
So I guess YMMV. Perhaps the difference is leaving from North America instead of within Europe, or that I was traveling with a NW Gold elite companion (although neither should matter, if the computers are programmed correctly).