KL/HV vs AF/AF?
Jan 12, 2017, 11:24 am
#1
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KL/HV vs AF/AF?
I had previously booked JFK-AMS-VIE in (paid) J, KL644 (744 combi!) connecting to KL1847 (738, operated by KL). KL1847 is now operated by HV, which doesn't offer a J cabin. I get that intra-EU J is nothing to write home about, but technically I paid for J end-to-end.
The only other viable itinerary for me is AF11 (BEST 77W) connecting to AF1738. I didn't book this itinerary originally because it has a 90 minute connection at CDG, and immigration there has been a mess lately. The next AF (OS) flight to VIE is 5 hours later.
OTOH, switching to AF means a better seat and pre-flight dinner at JFK (so more sleep on board), and if everything is on time, there are no strikes, and immigration isn't too terrible, I get into VIE about 2 hours earlier than via AMS.
At this point I can ask for whatever itinerary I want, but it's going to come down to one of these two options. I'm curious... what would the forum do?
The only other viable itinerary for me is AF11 (BEST 77W) connecting to AF1738. I didn't book this itinerary originally because it has a 90 minute connection at CDG, and immigration there has been a mess lately. The next AF (OS) flight to VIE is 5 hours later.
OTOH, switching to AF means a better seat and pre-flight dinner at JFK (so more sleep on board), and if everything is on time, there are no strikes, and immigration isn't too terrible, I get into VIE about 2 hours earlier than via AMS.
At this point I can ask for whatever itinerary I want, but it's going to come down to one of these two options. I'm curious... what would the forum do?
Jan 12, 2017, 11:43 am
#2
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: CPT,AMS
Posts: 4,410
I would go for the AF/AF, better hard product and as you said more time to sleep.
And even if you miss your connection and get on the next flight you only get to VIE about 2 hours later than your original arrival time.
And even if you miss your connection and get on the next flight you only get to VIE about 2 hours later than your original arrival time.
Jan 12, 2017, 7:11 pm
#3
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Feb 22, 2017, 1:42 am
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2008
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Just to follow up, I ended up keeping the KL itinerary, for several reasons:
It turned out that the VIE flight was operated using HV metal, but with a KL crew (and KL in flight services, such as they were). Strangely, the gate agents decided to arbitrarily enforce HV carry on rules, and there was no SkyPriority boarding. I ended up getting an exit row, which seemed a reasonable trade for a blocked middle (more leg room, less arm room).
- 747s are getting harder to find, and I hadn't yet been on the combi. It's easier to find BEST (usually
) - I still had my original 1A seat assignment
- I wasn't particularly comfortable with the 90 minute CDG connection.
- I was curious about the whole HV replacement aircraft situation.
- Delft house.
- KL meal service is a nice change of pace from AF meal service.
It turned out that the VIE flight was operated using HV metal, but with a KL crew (and KL in flight services, such as they were). Strangely, the gate agents decided to arbitrarily enforce HV carry on rules, and there was no SkyPriority boarding. I ended up getting an exit row, which seemed a reasonable trade for a blocked middle (more leg room, less arm room).
Feb 22, 2017, 1:44 am
#5
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: Flying Blue Platinum, JetBlue Mosaic, Hyatt Globalist, Alaska MVP Gold.
Posts: 1,962
Just to follow up, I ended up keeping the KL itinerary, for several reasons:
It turned out that the VIE flight was operated using HV metal, but with a KL crew (and KL in flight services, such as they were). Strangely, the gate agents decided to arbitrarily enforce HV carry on rules, and there was no SkyPriority boarding. I ended up getting an exit row, which seemed a reasonable trade for a blocked middle (more leg room, less arm room).
- 747s are getting harder to find, and I hadn't yet been on the combi. It's easier to find BEST (usually )
- I still had my original 1A seat assignment
- I wasn't particularly comfortable with the 90 minute CDG connection.
- I was curious about the whole HV replacement aircraft situation.
- Delft house.
- KL meal service is a nice change of pace from AF meal service.
It turned out that the VIE flight was operated using HV metal, but with a KL crew (and KL in flight services, such as they were). Strangely, the gate agents decided to arbitrarily enforce HV carry on rules, and there was no SkyPriority boarding. I ended up getting an exit row, which seemed a reasonable trade for a blocked middle (more leg room, less arm room).
Feb 22, 2017, 2:35 am
#6
Join Date: May 2009
Location: AMS
Posts: 2,053
Feb 22, 2017, 2:46 am
#7
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Location: Netherlands
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Ah, you found this situation: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/klm-f...ed-flight.html
Feb 23, 2017, 3:51 am
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Mostly living in the basement
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Posts: 5,106
Ah, you found this situation: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/klm-f...ed-flight.html
Also, I forgot to mention the 2F lounge renovation situation as another reason to go with the AMS transit.
Last edited by bennos; Feb 23, 2017 at 4:03 am
