Originally Posted by themicah
"Bulkheads" on most of KL's 737s are most definitely not premium. Same legroom as the rest of coach, but with a curtain in your face. Avoid them.
All SkyTeam Elites should have access to preferred seating (i.e., the front of coach, exit row, etc.) on all SkyTeam operated flights. But as I said above, KL simply doesn't assign seats in advance on their intraeuropean flights. Unfortunately, since most NW elites are connecting to those flights from TATLs, it can be very tough to get a preferred seat on your way out. But if you use klm.com's OLCI for your return trip, you can usually get a pretty good seat.
We've discussed some KLM intra-European seating issues before. Sometimes, KLM assigns even ST Elite Plus passengers connecting from North America seats in the absolute rear of the plane. Other times, KLM assigns ST Elite passengers seats near the front, as they should. While nobody knows for sure KLM's rhyme or reason for assigning seats, some think it may have to do with fare class. And of course, by the time you get to Schiphol to ask for a seat change "it is not possible" to get a better seat (especially if you are traveling with others). But if you use KLM's on-line checkin on the return, you should be able to move up to the front of the plane without a problem if you're a ST Elite. Just double check where their computers first seat you.
Not all KLM "bulkheads" are equally bad. If the plane is a 737-900 and FC is only 4 rows, 5A and C are the absolute best coach seats on the plane for couples. They are 2 Europe Select business class seats - and there is no 5B. 5D,E&F are also decent, but E is the middle seat. 6A and C are regular coach seats (but perfect for couples, since there's no 6B). And 7C should have more leg room because there is no seat directly in front of it.
Seatmaps of KLM's 737s can be found
here. If I recall correctly, only the 737-900 has more legroom and 2-3 seating in the first 5 rows.