Getting to Eindhoven...
 

OK FlyerTalk experts....

I'm in Virginia (Richmond) and need to get to Eindhoven this fall. How would you get there?

I was thinking the easiest is to drive or fly up to DC and get on KLM to AMS. I could then hop on a train down to Eindhoven - 90 mins / no connections from Schiphol. I don't see any other easy connection train rides from major airports nearby.

Am I missing another easy connection / airport here? It looks like Eindhoven is only served by LCCs, which aren't going to codeshare with major carriers. :( I don't mind transferring trains once or connecting in an easy airport.

I've never flown KLM over the pond - only DL (good), LH (great), and UA (terrible). This will be in business class - probably paid (so status won't matter). I'd rather fly on a EU carrier.

BTW - KLM still has MD11s? :eek:

I guess I should also mention the possibility of also going in first class. Obviously that would mean connecting somewhere. I've only flown F on LH, so I wouldn't know what to expect from, say, AF....

The itinerary you suggest makes the most sense: IAD-AMS and then the train to Eindhoven. KL biz class is good.
Depending on the day and time, you may want to buy a 1st class train ticket Schiphol - Eindhoven, as trains in Holland can sometimes be a zoo (during peak travel hours). Buy it when you arrive, no need to pay the huge fees of 3rd party websites.

KLMs MD11s are the nicest planes on their fleet. I will be sad when they retire them.

Indeed, many find KLM MD-11's to be great and an awesome experience (certainly in business class). They're perfectly safe I'm sure.

Just fly into AMS and hop on a direct (or just one simple connection) train to Eindhoven from the in-airport train station. Very, very easy.
First class will cost you E30, 2nd class E18. First class is nothing special but you're almost certain of a seat (no specific seat) which can be helpful during rush-hour.

If you fancy it the hard way, go to JFK, fly BA all-business-jet to LCY and connect to Cityjet to EIN. :p

Speaking about fancy, why not IAD-AMS KL biz and then a limousine to Eindhoven? :p

I'm sure the MD11 is perfectly safe. I was just surprised to see it on the flight options. I haven't seen one of those things (as a pax jet) in like 8 years.

Biz seats on KLM aren't flat-beds, though, right? Are the seats still comfortable enough compared to, say, Lufthansa?

Sleeping is the driving factor for me to consider F. If I switch to F, though, that will mean AF via CDG or LH via FRA. Neither is ideal for connections. I won't fly BA if London will make me go through the US-style draconian security screening.

Why doesn't LX fly to IAD :(

Eindhoven is about equidistant between AMS and DUS, so DUS might be an another option to look into.

KL J has no flat bed seats indeed. LH F will certainly beat KL/AF J and agreeing with Aviatrix, you'd fly to FRA/MUC and then to DUS.

Other option is to fly to JFK, connect on DL to LHR (flat beds) and then KLM to AMS followed by a train to Eindhoven.

BTW KLM is the only airline in the world that still uses the MD-11 for PAX flights!

I'd looked at DUS, but the train seems like a bit of a pain. I don't think I want to deal with 2 or 3 transfers.

I'll either do KLM direct to AMS; or LH via MUC (I found a flight that avoids FRA!).

Although ... I can fly from an airport much closer to me than IAD to DUS via EWR. That might not be a bad option. DC's not too far away, but I don't think there's a single airport out that with more infuriating TSA people.