Mess in AMS today - April 2022 onwards
Aug 3, 2022, 8:23 am
#2041
Join Date: Jun 2021
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 538
See this article from yesterday, which explains the approach:
https://nltimes.nl/2022/08/02/schiphol-restrictions-will-cost-sector-millions-klm-sees-extra-cancellations
Key quote:
”Airline KLM does not expect to have to cancel flights as a result. The company will sell fewer seats to Dutch travelers in this period. The airline will remain in talks with Schiphol. The aim is to “avoid restrictions on the KLM operation and our customers.””
Aug 3, 2022, 8:33 am
#2042
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Kansas City, USA
Programs: AA Gold, Delta Platinum, Marriott Titanium, IHG Plat, AVIS Preferred, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,066
It’s possible, but it’s more likely that KLM is restricting the number of seats sold, rather than scrapping flights.
See this article from yesterday, which explains the approach:
https://nltimes.nl/2022/08/02/schiphol-restrictions-will-cost-sector-millions-klm-sees-extra-cancellations
Key quote:
See this article from yesterday, which explains the approach:
https://nltimes.nl/2022/08/02/schiphol-restrictions-will-cost-sector-millions-klm-sees-extra-cancellations
Key quote:
Aug 4, 2022, 1:39 am
#2045
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: In the air
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy LT Plat, Hilton Gold, GHA Tit, BA Gold, Turkish Elite
Posts: 8,717
Not strictly a KLM review, but I'm in AMS at the moment. Got here around 9am for an 11:25 flight.
Terminal 1 had a line about 100m outside. Looked nasty, but obviously nowhere near as long as it has been.
Terminal 3 had a security line which went right up to the door but not actually outside. There was no evident priority line, but as a Business Class customer I was able to skip the full line which I guess would have been at least 2 hours. I only had 6 people to wait behind. That was a $100 J upgrade well spent.
Terminal 1 had a line about 100m outside. Looked nasty, but obviously nowhere near as long as it has been.
Terminal 3 had a security line which went right up to the door but not actually outside. There was no evident priority line, but as a Business Class customer I was able to skip the full line which I guess would have been at least 2 hours. I only had 6 people to wait behind. That was a $100 J upgrade well spent.
Aug 4, 2022, 5:05 am
#2046
Join Date: Dec 2021
Posts: 33
Not strictly a KLM review, but I'm in AMS at the moment. Got here around 9am for an 11:25 flight.
Terminal 1 had a line about 100m outside. Looked nasty, but obviously nowhere near as long as it has been.
Terminal 3 had a security line which went right up to the door but not actually outside. There was no evident priority line, but as a Business Class customer I was able to skip the full line which I guess would have been at least 2 hours. I only had 6 people to wait behind. That was a $100 J upgrade well spent.
Terminal 1 had a line about 100m outside. Looked nasty, but obviously nowhere near as long as it has been.
Terminal 3 had a security line which went right up to the door but not actually outside. There was no evident priority line, but as a Business Class customer I was able to skip the full line which I guess would have been at least 2 hours. I only had 6 people to wait behind. That was a $100 J upgrade well spent.
Aug 4, 2022, 10:52 am
#2047
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: In the air
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy LT Plat, Hilton Gold, GHA Tit, BA Gold, Turkish Elite
Posts: 8,717
I'm guessing a fair few people in Business Class never figure this out.
Aug 4, 2022, 12:55 pm
#2049
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2000
Posts: 14,352
Johan
Aug 4, 2022, 1:56 pm
#2050
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: HAG
Programs: Der 5* FTL
Posts: 8,034
In your place I'd aim around 5 am, a bit more with baggage, a bit less without.
Aug 4, 2022, 4:12 pm
#2051
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 9
We have transfer time (Canada to non-Schengen, carry-on, no priority) of 8h30 between the flights at AMS. Would going to the city be too risky considering the current situation? Just wanted a quick stroll by the Central station and around. Thanks.
Aug 4, 2022, 4:45 pm
#2052
Join Date: Jun 2021
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 538
Without priority access to security, you’ll also need to budget four hours to make it airside upon your return (security, plus passport control).
The travel time between Schiphol and Amsterdam Centraal is only 13-17 minutes, which means that under ordinary circumstances, you could make it to the city and spend a few hours strolling around, but at the moment, I’d advise against it.
Last edited by BA850; Aug 4, 2022 at 4:49 pm Reason: Edited to add additional information.
Aug 5, 2022, 4:31 am
#2054
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: NYC
Posts: 9,120
It's hard to say - some days/times will be like normal and after the school holidays end you'll also see a big drop in passengers.
Aug 5, 2022, 4:41 am
#2055
Join Date: Jun 2021
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 538
No problem. What I would suggest, if you’re flying KLM, is purchasing access to the non-Schengen Crown Lounge at Schiphol.
The price is €65 per head, but you could easily end up spending that in eight hours at the airport anyway. The food isn’t fantastic, but it’s a very nice space and you’ll have the option to take a shower.
You can find more details here, but if you purchase online via ‘My Trip’, you’ll receive a €10 discount: https://www.klm.nl/en/information/airport/crown-lounges
If you aren’t flying KLM or don’t want to pay €65 (€55 in advance) there are other (cheaper) paid lounges available and you can find additional information here: https://www.schiphol.nl/en/page/airline-lounges/
The price is €65 per head, but you could easily end up spending that in eight hours at the airport anyway. The food isn’t fantastic, but it’s a very nice space and you’ll have the option to take a shower.
You can find more details here, but if you purchase online via ‘My Trip’, you’ll receive a €10 discount: https://www.klm.nl/en/information/airport/crown-lounges
If you aren’t flying KLM or don’t want to pay €65 (€55 in advance) there are other (cheaper) paid lounges available and you can find additional information here: https://www.schiphol.nl/en/page/airline-lounges/