Last edit by: Fabo.sk
The latest suggestions and state of the Mess in Amsterdam of Summer '22 - short staffing and security issues.
Starting late April/early May 2022, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is showing signs of chronic, and at times extreme, overcrowding. This thread is dedicated largely to the discussion of the same.
We have created this wiki to have a single point of reference, updated periodically with tips, tricks and reports of current state.
Bottlenecks
As of June 2nd, there are 2 bottlenecks at the airport.
1. Entrance to the terminal building from outside (arrival by car)
2. Security checks.
As of June 20th, unsatisfactory situation has been reported also on all arrival passport checks.
Tips to deal with Entrance to the terminal building lines
As of July 3rd, you could enter the terminal from train station without hindrance. On travel heavy days, consider getting dropped off at Hoofdorp, Zuid or Lelylaan and taking a train one station instead.
Privium holders are reportedly able to bypass lines by showing the Privium card.
Note: Schiphol is sometimes limiting access to passengers 4 hours before the flight, both from outside and through Schiphol plaza.
The checks do happen, but you are very likely to be able to bypass them from Schiphol Plaza (arrival by train or bus) by using the lift or stairs instead of inclined travelators.
Tips to deal with Security lines
There are currently three departure checkpoints into the main terminal area (plus one for the lowcost wing). Departures 1 and 2 are used for Schengen flights, Departures 2 and 3 for non-Schengen. (You can, however, turn left after leaving checkpoint for Departures 1 and reach exit control).
You don't have to use the checkpoint in your airlines departure area, so check if one of the other ones has a shorter line. However keep in mind that transfer passport control might bring additional delay.
If you have priority, ignore the main entrances to the checkpoints, particularly 1 and 2. Especially ignore the line for the stairs to checkpoint 2. Enter via SkyPriority zone, either via front if you have STE+/SP, or via back from Oversized Baggage point. There is a Privium card reader if you are a holder,alternatively sneak by opening one-way gate by hand.
The stairs at the back of SP zone are now official and only access point for priority for Schengen. The position is manned and access rules are strictly enforced.
Once upstairs, you can enter the lines for Departures 2 directly, or take a left, then another left, and you'll find yourself in Departures 1 checkpoint area.
Once upstairs, staff direct you either to enter rightmost lane in checkpoint 2, or to turn left to proceed to leftmost lane of checkpoint 1.
Privium holders can alternatively use Privium gates at otherwise closed Departures 1 checkpoint entry (behind check-in row 3), join the rightmost lane of checkpoint 1. There is going to be some mixing with non-prio pax at the filter, but on the upside, there is guaranteed no non-Privium priority pax coming up the stairs so you are virtually guaranteed to have no more than ~5 people in the queue immediately in front of the filter.
Tips to deal with Immigration / Passport Control lines
There are four options for arriving (from secure location) passengers. One is to use transfer passport control, one is to use passport control by F gates and another is to use passport control by E gates. There are also stairs by end of D pier next to the transfer control. All these feed into different lines.
There is no trick, just see if one of the other ones is shorter, depending on where the majority of recently arrived flights are docked.
Passengers arriving from unsecure locations cannot reach these without going through transit security. The only option is to follow the signs for entry control.
If you really want to make sure you're safe and are willing to pay extra
Schiphol VIP services are available at 390 for the first, 175 for each additional passenger (excl. VAT; with VAT rates are 471.90+211.75)
VIP service is at capacity and is not accepting new reservations.
General timeline suggestions
For Privium passengers, 1 hour should be comfortable in almost all cases.
For SkyPriority passengers, 1.5 hours should be comfortable in almost all cases.
For other priority passengers, it really depends on whether the priority lines are open but I would personally aim for 1.5 - 2 hours. Worst case you can sneak into the SkyPriority area from the back and use the gates there (your BP will be accepted). The priority line behind SP area is now open to all prio pax.
For non-priority passengers, realistically, 4 hours should be enough except at the worst times. Anyone informed enough to post here will probably also understand that the entire airport (except the easyJet gates I guess) is connected airside and you can shop around the different security areas depending on how bad the lines look.
Common Questions
I'm transferring from a non-schengen to a non-schengen flight in XX, will I make it?
Yes, you will.
If you arrive from a secure area (EU, Schengen countries, UK, US, Canada, Singapore): You then navigate yourself within the departures area to your non-schengen flight out of AMS and this takes less than 20 minutes, even if you have to walk from D gates to G gates.
If you arrive from non-secure area (other than mentioned; SIN flights via DPS): You will have to follow transit signs for transit security. There are no reports of transit security taking unusually long.
If you want to print your BP for the next segment, there are many transfer check-in machines across the non-schengen gates for you to print your BP, do check-in/document check, change seat, and etc for your next flight. No security or immigration is involved and odds are, you will wait at the gate for boarding, If you are FB Gold and up, STE+, or flying in business class, you will have access to the Crown Lounge and can grab a bite, get some work done, take a shower, or rent one of the sleeping pods depending on how long your transit is.
Starting late April/early May 2022, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is showing signs of chronic, and at times extreme, overcrowding. This thread is dedicated largely to the discussion of the same.
We have created this wiki to have a single point of reference, updated periodically with tips, tricks and reports of current state.
Bottlenecks
As of June 2nd, there are 2 bottlenecks at the airport.
1. Entrance to the terminal building from outside (arrival by car)
2. Security checks.
As of June 20th, unsatisfactory situation has been reported also on all arrival passport checks.
Tips to deal with Entrance to the terminal building lines
As of July 3rd, you could enter the terminal from train station without hindrance. On travel heavy days, consider getting dropped off at Hoofdorp, Zuid or Lelylaan and taking a train one station instead.
Privium holders are reportedly able to bypass lines by showing the Privium card.
Note: Schiphol is sometimes limiting access to passengers 4 hours before the flight, both from outside and through Schiphol plaza.
The checks do happen, but you are very likely to be able to bypass them from Schiphol Plaza (arrival by train or bus) by using the lift or stairs instead of inclined travelators.
Tips to deal with Security lines
There are currently three departure checkpoints into the main terminal area (plus one for the lowcost wing). Departures 1 and 2 are used for Schengen flights, Departures 2 and 3 for non-Schengen. (You can, however, turn left after leaving checkpoint for Departures 1 and reach exit control).
You don't have to use the checkpoint in your airlines departure area, so check if one of the other ones has a shorter line. However keep in mind that transfer passport control might bring additional delay.
If you have priority, ignore the main entrances to the checkpoints, particularly 1 and 2. Especially ignore the line for the stairs to checkpoint 2. Enter via SkyPriority zone, either via front if you have STE+/SP, or via back from Oversized Baggage point. There is a Privium card reader if you are a holder,
The stairs at the back of SP zone are now official and only access point for priority for Schengen. The position is manned and access rules are strictly enforced.
Once upstairs, staff direct you either to enter rightmost lane in checkpoint 2, or to turn left to proceed to leftmost lane of checkpoint 1.
Privium holders can alternatively use Privium gates at otherwise closed Departures 1 checkpoint entry (behind check-in row 3), join the rightmost lane of checkpoint 1. There is going to be some mixing with non-prio pax at the filter, but on the upside, there is guaranteed no non-Privium priority pax coming up the stairs so you are virtually guaranteed to have no more than ~5 people in the queue immediately in front of the filter.
Tips to deal with Immigration / Passport Control lines
There are four options for arriving (from secure location) passengers. One is to use transfer passport control, one is to use passport control by F gates and another is to use passport control by E gates. There are also stairs by end of D pier next to the transfer control. All these feed into different lines.
There is no trick, just see if one of the other ones is shorter, depending on where the majority of recently arrived flights are docked.
Passengers arriving from unsecure locations cannot reach these without going through transit security. The only option is to follow the signs for entry control.
If you really want to make sure you're safe and are willing to pay extra
VIP service is at capacity and is not accepting new reservations.
General timeline suggestions
For Privium passengers, 1 hour should be comfortable in almost all cases.
For SkyPriority passengers, 1.5 hours should be comfortable in almost all cases.
For other priority passengers,
For non-priority passengers, realistically, 4 hours should be enough except at the worst times. Anyone informed enough to post here will probably also understand that the entire airport (except the easyJet gates I guess) is connected airside and you can shop around the different security areas depending on how bad the lines look.
Common Questions
I'm transferring from a non-schengen to a non-schengen flight in XX, will I make it?
Yes, you will.
If you arrive from a secure area (EU, Schengen countries, UK, US, Canada, Singapore): You then navigate yourself within the departures area to your non-schengen flight out of AMS and this takes less than 20 minutes, even if you have to walk from D gates to G gates.
If you arrive from non-secure area (other than mentioned; SIN flights via DPS): You will have to follow transit signs for transit security. There are no reports of transit security taking unusually long.
If you want to print your BP for the next segment, there are many transfer check-in machines across the non-schengen gates for you to print your BP, do check-in/document check, change seat, and etc for your next flight. No security or immigration is involved and odds are, you will wait at the gate for boarding, If you are FB Gold and up, STE+, or flying in business class, you will have access to the Crown Lounge and can grab a bite, get some work done, take a shower, or rent one of the sleeping pods depending on how long your transit is.
Mess in AMS today - April 2022 onwards
#946
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Netherlands
Programs: KL Platinum; A3 Gold; BA Rust
Posts: 26,801
#950
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: AMS / ATH
Programs: AFKL Plat, A3 Gold
Posts: 6,586
Do we know or have any sign of when they update the waivers?
Currently the website allows free changes for one week period:
"If you have booked a flight to, from, or via Amsterdam departing on 10 June up to 17 June 2022, you can see below what rebook and refund options we can offer you. These options are only valid if you have a ticket originally issued before or on 9 June 2022."
Do they update it on a week-by-week basis?
I have booked a BRU-AMS-UK ticket for next Friday 24th. Initially, i was on the 305pm BRU-AMS flight but that was cancelled (a looong time ago) and they rebooked me on the evening flight (620pm) which is consistently cancelled for the past days, so it would be nice to sort that in advance.
Currently the website allows free changes for one week period:
"If you have booked a flight to, from, or via Amsterdam departing on 10 June up to 17 June 2022, you can see below what rebook and refund options we can offer you. These options are only valid if you have a ticket originally issued before or on 9 June 2022."
Do they update it on a week-by-week basis?
I have booked a BRU-AMS-UK ticket for next Friday 24th. Initially, i was on the 305pm BRU-AMS flight but that was cancelled (a looong time ago) and they rebooked me on the evening flight (620pm) which is consistently cancelled for the past days, so it would be nice to sort that in advance.
#951
Join Date: Dec 2018
Programs: Flying Blue Plat, Eurobonus Silver
Posts: 837
#952
Join Date: Sep 2017
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium, UA Gold, AA Plat Pro, National EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 195
remember reading about the same comments somewhere, I guess I will find out soon. Flew their 787-10 back to US last summer
#953
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: mostly not far from AMS, otherwise NUE
Programs: FB Gold, Hilton Gold, ALL Silver
Posts: 2,292
De Telegraaf is reporting that Schiphol today will announce that several tens of flights will have to be cancelled every day, among other measures, to be able to make it through summer.
#954
FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Paris, France
Programs: AF/KL Flying Blue Platinum for life/Club2000 Ultimate, Accor ALL Diamond
Posts: 19,931
I don't think this was posted before (if the case, apologies), but KL has decided to increase the MCT in AMS from 17/06 to 31/07 due to the on-going mess at AMS. The following was posted on AFKL travel agent portal :
To reduce customer concerns about congestion at Schiphol Airport, KLM will optimize its flight schedule. By increasing the Minimum Connecting Time (MCT) for traffic via Amsterdam for flights departing between June 17 and July 31, 2022 inclusive, KLM wants to give connecting customers a bit more time and peace of mind to make their connecting flight.
The MCT increase applies to these connecting flights:
- KL operating and marketing -> KL operating and marketing
- KL operating and marketing -> AF operating and marketing
- KL operating and marketing -> DL operating and marketing
The new MCT will be:
- EUR - EUR will increase from 40 to 60 minutes
- EUR - ICA and ICA - ICA will increase from 50 to 70 minutes.
The new MCT will only apply to new reservations. If an existing ticket is changed, the new MCT will also apply to the booked flights and the ticket will need to be reissued.
The MCT increase applies to these connecting flights:
- KL operating and marketing -> KL operating and marketing
- KL operating and marketing -> AF operating and marketing
- KL operating and marketing -> DL operating and marketing
The new MCT will be:
- EUR - EUR will increase from 40 to 60 minutes
- EUR - ICA and ICA - ICA will increase from 50 to 70 minutes.
The new MCT will only apply to new reservations. If an existing ticket is changed, the new MCT will also apply to the booked flights and the ticket will need to be reissued.
Last edited by Goldorak; Jun 16, 22 at 4:37 am
#955
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: HAG
Programs: ST E+, *G, some hotel gold...
Posts: 4,845
#956
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: AMS/RTM
Posts: 2,769
I have flights that can only be turned into non refundable vouchers and I'm playing chicken. I hope KL will blink first.
#957
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: mostly not far from AMS, otherwise NUE
Programs: FB Gold, Hilton Gold, ALL Silver
Posts: 2,292
That is puzzling - I don't think there have been many reports of transfers being a problem, have there?
#958


Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: AMSTERDAM = one of those attic homes with steepstaircases of death
Programs: Lufthansa: Senator || IHG: Diamond Royal Ambassador Inner Circle || Plutonium Status
Posts: 2,018
Just in:
https://nos.nl/artikel/2432878-schip...vanwege-drukte
Schiphol Airport due to cancel flights this summer + flights to be moved to regional airports.
More info later.....
Source:Luchthaven Schiphol gaat deze zomer vluchten schrappen vanwege de drukte. De luchthaven legt de laatste hand aan plannen daarvoor, meldt Barin, de brancheorganisatie van vliegmaatschappijen.
Eerder noemde Schiphol het schrappen van vluchten in de zomer een uiterste maatregel. Naast het schrappen van vluchten, wordt een aantal vluchten verplaatst naar regionale luchthavens.
Volgens Barin wordt later vandaag duidelijk om hoeveel vluchten het gaat. Schiphol zelf zegt de gesprekken over het plan op korte termijn af te ronden en dan met informatie te komen.
and more:
https://www.nu.nl/economie/6206773/s...or-drukte.html
https://nos.nl/artikel/2432878-schip...vanwege-drukte
Schiphol Airport due to cancel flights this summer + flights to be moved to regional airports.
More info later.....
Source:Luchthaven Schiphol gaat deze zomer vluchten schrappen vanwege de drukte. De luchthaven legt de laatste hand aan plannen daarvoor, meldt Barin, de brancheorganisatie van vliegmaatschappijen.
Eerder noemde Schiphol het schrappen van vluchten in de zomer een uiterste maatregel. Naast het schrappen van vluchten, wordt een aantal vluchten verplaatst naar regionale luchthavens.
Volgens Barin wordt later vandaag duidelijk om hoeveel vluchten het gaat. Schiphol zelf zegt de gesprekken over het plan op korte termijn af te ronden en dan met informatie te komen.
and more:
https://www.nu.nl/economie/6206773/s...or-drukte.html
Last edited by HadesNL; Jun 16, 22 at 4:16 am
#959
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Germany
Programs: AF/KL FB Gold, A3 Gold
Posts: 12
Transferred twice over last month - no issues there.
First time e-gates open with no wait, second time e-gates closed but short-connections line had no wait (otherwise approx. 15mins wait).
First time e-gates open with no wait, second time e-gates closed but short-connections line had no wait (otherwise approx. 15mins wait).