KLM intra europe - a poor product?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2018
Programs: FB Platinum
Posts: 276
KLM intra europe - a poor product?
OK, I love the meals, drinks and service - but having no wifi on board in 2018? I feel KLM is really lagging behind on this point. Even the low price carrier Norwegian offers free Wifi.
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: London, UK and Southern France
Posts: 18,354
I think that someone is in need of a very serious reality check, here. You can count on the fingers of one hand the number of European airlines currently offering wifi on short-haul: Norwegian, SAS and some Lufthansa group airlines (and even then, not on the totality of their intra-European flights). The immense majority of European airlines do not. So having no wifi onboard, far from lagging behind, is the industry norm for now. This is likely to change in the next few years but we are very far from being there yet.
#3
Join Date: May 2014
Location: DMV
Posts: 2,092
I don't care about WiFi on a 60-100 minute flight really. I find KLM's short-haul product is overall pretty solid in comparison to their competitors - especially because of Economy Comfort. Yes some people complain about but it beats regular crappy Y for sure. On that note, KLM's business class also beats many others because it's at least the EC seats with an empty seat guaranteed rather than plain old 31 inch pitch economy seats as on a number of other carrier. That's maybe faint praise but the market is what it is, and you take what you can get.
Beyond that, I actually like the food they serve better than that of their competitors as well. Also, AMS is a good connecting airport - better than CDG/LHR/FRA - so that's nice too. All in all, KLM is my airline of choice within Europe.
Beyond that, I actually like the food they serve better than that of their competitors as well. Also, AMS is a good connecting airport - better than CDG/LHR/FRA - so that's nice too. All in all, KLM is my airline of choice within Europe.
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: London, UK and Southern France
Posts: 18,354
I don't care about WiFi on a 60-100 minute flight really. I find KLM's short-haul product is overall pretty solid in comparison to their competitors - especially because of Economy Comfort. Yes some people complain about but it beats regular crappy Y for sure. On that note, KLM's business class also beats many others because it's at least the EC seats with an empty seat guaranteed rather than plain old 31 inch pitch economy seats as on a number of other carrier. That's maybe faint praise but the market is what it is, and you take what you can get.
Beyond that, I actually like the food they serve better than that of their competitors as well. Also, AMS is a good connecting airport - better than CDG/LHR/FRA - so that's nice too. All in all, KLM is my airline of choice within Europe.
Beyond that, I actually like the food they serve better than that of their competitors as well. Also, AMS is a good connecting airport - better than CDG/LHR/FRA - so that's nice too. All in all, KLM is my airline of choice within Europe.
#5
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Heraklion, Greece
Posts: 7,557
Books, magazines, Sudoku, crossword puzzles, downloaded movies, downloaded videos, a downloaded opera, computer games, plenty of possibilities besides wifi!
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2000
Posts: 14,352
Fortunately AMS has a culinary knight in shining armor in the shape of the Privium lounge.
Johan
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2000
Posts: 14,352
Johan
#9
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: UK/FR
Programs: FlyingBlue Platinum, Hertz PC
Posts: 886
AMS is a good connecting airport because for most EU flights there's no need for another security screening like CDG and if the automatic passport lanes are open it goes smoothly. The only issues are with the lounges.
I've perfected the art of getting a free middle seat if the flight isn't full so even though I'm in EC, I travel like in J for most of my EU flights.
I've perfected the art of getting a free middle seat if the flight isn't full so even though I'm in EC, I travel like in J for most of my EU flights.
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Netherlands
Programs: KL Platinum; A3 Gold
Posts: 28,550
The need for a security check only arises if you originate in AMS, or arrive from an untrusted country. All EU countries are on the trusted list.
#11
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Netherlands
Programs: FB Gold
Posts: 399
I don't care about WiFi on a 60-100 minute flight really. I find KLM's short-haul product is overall pretty solid in comparison to their competitors - especially because of Economy Comfort. Yes some people complain about but it beats regular crappy Y for sure. On that note, KLM's business class also beats many others because it's at least the EC seats with an empty seat guaranteed rather than plain old 31 inch pitch economy seats as on a number of other carrier. That's maybe faint praise but the market is what it is, and you take what you can get.
Beyond that, I actually like the food they serve better than that of their competitors as well. Also, AMS is a good connecting airport - better than CDG/LHR/FRA - so that's nice too. All in all, KLM is my airline of choice within Europe.
Beyond that, I actually like the food they serve better than that of their competitors as well. Also, AMS is a good connecting airport - better than CDG/LHR/FRA - so that's nice too. All in all, KLM is my airline of choice within Europe.
#12
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 240
eco-comfort differences and availability cityhopper-klm intra europe, not so solid imo. i'm more comfortable on an AF airbus than a klm 737 sardine can. does klm have USB option on any intra-european flight?
#13
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: GOT
Programs: KL Plat
Posts: 484
I find KLM in EC is plenty fine. I'm fairly sure the 737s feature 230v sockets under the seats. You wouldn't know they're there unless you went looking for them though. Can't remember about USB but will take a look tomorrow.
My gripe with Cityhopper flights out of AMS is the inevitable bus to the plane with the associated free-for-all. IIRC at CDG their transfer busses do have a SkyPriority section at the back, as to whether anybody pays attention to it though...
At least when booking KLM you have the option to choose a seat. In my experience the majority of AF/HOP flights intra-EU are 'seat selection at check-in only'.
My gripe with Cityhopper flights out of AMS is the inevitable bus to the plane with the associated free-for-all. IIRC at CDG their transfer busses do have a SkyPriority section at the back, as to whether anybody pays attention to it though...
At least when booking KLM you have the option to choose a seat. In my experience the majority of AF/HOP flights intra-EU are 'seat selection at check-in only'.
#15
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: HAG
Programs: ST E+, *G, some hotel gold...
Posts: 7,843
There's no need for another security screening for *any* EU flights (except for spotchecks or temporary measures on certain destinations)
The need for a security check only arises if you originate in AMS, or arrive from an untrusted country. All EU countries are on the trusted list.
The need for a security check only arises if you originate in AMS, or arrive from an untrusted country. All EU countries are on the trusted list.
Plus the fee to reserve EC seat on KLM is still less than a regular seat on AF.
USB I don't think so. But on a shourthaul I don't miss it.
I find KLM in EC is plenty fine. I'm fairly sure the 737s feature 230v sockets under the seats. You wouldn't know they're there unless you went looking for them though. Can't remember about USB but will take a look tomorrow.
My gripe with Cityhopper flights out of AMS is the inevitable bus to the plane with the associated free-for-all. IIRC at CDG their transfer busses do have a SkyPriority section at the back, as to whether anybody pays attention to it though...
At least when booking KLM you have the option to choose a seat. In my experience the majority of AF/HOP flights intra-EU are 'seat selection at check-in only'.
My gripe with Cityhopper flights out of AMS is the inevitable bus to the plane with the associated free-for-all. IIRC at CDG their transfer busses do have a SkyPriority section at the back, as to whether anybody pays attention to it though...
At least when booking KLM you have the option to choose a seat. In my experience the majority of AF/HOP flights intra-EU are 'seat selection at check-in only'.
Seat selection I think is possible with AF but more expensive than KL.