AMS-IAH on CO?
Aug 14, 2005 | 1:51 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Texas
Programs: Mileage Plus Star Alliance
Posts: 381
AMS-IAH on CO?
Thinking of using Continental metal instead of KLM on several upcoming transatlantic Y trips to IAH.
Does anyone have any suggestions as to whether the AM flight or the PM flight is beter?
They are both 767's (i think) so I assume seating arrangements would be the same.
In Y class one has to shuck out 5 USD per mini-wine, but are there other considerations that would lead me to stick with KLM?
As FB Gold Elite Plus would I also have access to priority/select seating and such?
any suggestions would be great...thanx
Does anyone have any suggestions as to whether the AM flight or the PM flight is beter?
They are both 767's (i think) so I assume seating arrangements would be the same.
In Y class one has to shuck out 5 USD per mini-wine, but are there other considerations that would lead me to stick with KLM?
As FB Gold Elite Plus would I also have access to priority/select seating and such?
any suggestions would be great...thanx
Aug 14, 2005 | 6:32 am
#2
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: IAH
Programs: CO plat, WN comp pass, Hilton dia, Marriott silv, Starwood gold
Posts: 14
Take the later flight
I recommend the afternoon flight, unless it means you can't make a connection at IAH. The morning flight has more vacation travelers making connections to everywhere. That means more screaming babies and kids running around. Also, when you get to IAH, there are fewer flights arriving, which means a shorter line at immigration.
Aug 14, 2005 | 8:27 am
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: PVD
Programs: Priority Club Plat
Posts: 12,312
My parents have done coach on both CO and KLM on this route several times, and I think their preference is KL744 > CO > KL763.
CO has IFE in each 767 coach seat while KL doesn't on their 744/763s. But on KL's 744, they like those two-by-two seats in the very front Y cabin that they'll take them over anything else.
They also find the food a little better on KLM.
Yes, you can get seat assignment to the seats near the front of the cabin on CO, but don't know if you can do it online. Bulkhead and exit rows for Platinum only.
CO has IFE in each 767 coach seat while KL doesn't on their 744/763s. But on KL's 744, they like those two-by-two seats in the very front Y cabin that they'll take them over anything else.
They also find the food a little better on KLM.
Yes, you can get seat assignment to the seats near the front of the cabin on CO, but don't know if you can do it online. Bulkhead and exit rows for Platinum only.
Aug 14, 2005 | 2:33 pm
#4
Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYJ/YVR and back on Van Isle ....... for now
Programs: UA lifetime MM / *A Gold
Posts: 14,684
Only did the KLM IAH-AMS-(MAD)
But plenty of other CO int'l flights, and I kinda enjoyd the free adult beverages that you would have to pay for on CO. OTOH, the IFE on the KLM 747 is limited to the overhead monitors, and of course there's no choice in movies. Not that most of the flicks that CO shows these days are worth watching 
EmailKid
EmailKid
Aug 14, 2005 | 5:18 pm
#5
Join Date: May 2004
Location: US
Programs: UA Lifetime Gold, IHG Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,042
KL vs CO
I recently travelled this route on CO and KL. Overall, I think KL is slightly better and it depends what you want. If you want alcohol then KL is better, but if you want IFE then CO is better. Food and seating are a shade better in KL.
Aug 16, 2005 | 8:08 am
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Bryn Mawr PA & Wailea HI
Posts: 15,726
KL is nicer. If you gotta fly CO, remember they usually use Term 3 in AMS, the same one El Al uses. If you must fly CO save some dinero and buy a bottle of 2-Buck-Chuck vino in Houston and tote your own. Get used to LONG security AMS lines, a lotta Dutch cops clad in black carrying MP5's etc.
MisterNice
MisterNice