Mess in AMS today - April 2022 onwards
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#1036
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: AMS / ATH
Programs: AFKL Plat, A3 Gold
Posts: 6,259
Reporting from lounge 25. Took an Uber to the airport from West. First 5 drivers or so cancelled and got me worried a bit (is that normal in Amsterdam?) but managed to arrive with only about 15 minutes delay at 04:15.
The only checkpoint open is departures 1 via the entry point across from the Skypriority check in desk. The other larger entry behind check in desks 1-4 was closed. The smaller one that was open was even being heavily throttled, only letting a few pax through per minute. Long lines but not yet snaking through the tent outside. Inside it did snake through departures 1 quite a few times.
Skypriority check in still closed. Thought about using the back entry, which was roped off for everyone but decided to wait for check in to open. Line of about 50-75 pax there too. Only after opening to be told that departures 2 security is closed.
Decided to try to make a left to departures 1 from the closed off departures 2 area as was discussed here earlier.. roped off. Though that was resolved reasonably quickly and we could then walk straight through to the leftmost checkpoint at departures 1. Looking back I probably could/should have asked the attendant at the regular non-prio checkpoint to be let through the privium gate… I feel they would have allowed that most likely.
all and all about 40 minutes from drop off to (Un stocked, no food available) lounge. Including about 15 min for skypriority to open. Flight is in about 90 min. Could have timed it a little tighter in hindsight, next time (having skypriority) I’ll probably won’t arrive before 04:30 and depending on if I feel lucky, a little later to reduce the buffer time.





One thing I noticed is that the sign at the back entry to skypriority says Skypriority.. but also business class and status holders. Implying non-Skyteam priority pax. May be useful when I’m flying *A priority at 7AM soon.
The only checkpoint open is departures 1 via the entry point across from the Skypriority check in desk. The other larger entry behind check in desks 1-4 was closed. The smaller one that was open was even being heavily throttled, only letting a few pax through per minute. Long lines but not yet snaking through the tent outside. Inside it did snake through departures 1 quite a few times.
Skypriority check in still closed. Thought about using the back entry, which was roped off for everyone but decided to wait for check in to open. Line of about 50-75 pax there too. Only after opening to be told that departures 2 security is closed.
Decided to try to make a left to departures 1 from the closed off departures 2 area as was discussed here earlier.. roped off. Though that was resolved reasonably quickly and we could then walk straight through to the leftmost checkpoint at departures 1. Looking back I probably could/should have asked the attendant at the regular non-prio checkpoint to be let through the privium gate… I feel they would have allowed that most likely.
all and all about 40 minutes from drop off to (Un stocked, no food available) lounge. Including about 15 min for skypriority to open. Flight is in about 90 min. Could have timed it a little tighter in hindsight, next time (having skypriority) I’ll probably won’t arrive before 04:30 and depending on if I feel lucky, a little later to reduce the buffer time.





One thing I noticed is that the sign at the back entry to skypriority says Skypriority.. but also business class and status holders. Implying non-Skyteam priority pax. May be useful when I’m flying *A priority at 7AM soon.
#1038
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: AMS/RTM
Posts: 2,716
#1039


Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: SYD
Programs: QF WP (OWE), VA PLAT, EY GLD, SPG PLAT, Hyatt DIA, Hilton DIA, Hertz PC
Posts: 7,632
Does the Executive Meet & Assist go to the front of the Priority queue or just provide an escort?
I had planned to book the VIP Terminal for arrival off EK (prior to this mess), but their auto response doesn’t seem to indicate they’re willing to take the booking.
I had planned to book the VIP Terminal for arrival off EK (prior to this mess), but their auto response doesn’t seem to indicate they’re willing to take the booking.
#1040


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: 1,375
m0hamed : please reffer to this thread:
Schiphol Meet&Greet service from US - How much time can it save at passport control?
That thread discusses the use of executive meet & assist at Ansterdam airport.
It can work provided you are assigned the right person.
It can save a lot of time at several instances where there are queues.
EDIT:
forgot to mention for more piece of mind:
Schiphol VIP service
FT thread: Schiphol offers more services for business travellers and VIPs
Schiphol Meet&Greet service from US - How much time can it save at passport control?
That thread discusses the use of executive meet & assist at Ansterdam airport.
It can work provided you are assigned the right person.
It can save a lot of time at several instances where there are queues.
EDIT:
forgot to mention for more piece of mind:
Schiphol VIP service
FT thread: Schiphol offers more services for business travellers and VIPs
Last edited by HadesNL; Jun 18, 22 at 2:44 am
#1041
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: SE England
Programs: AF-KL FB Platinum, ALL Gold
Posts: 519
I've recently booked on the flight LHR-AMS-BKK at klm.com (economy class with 1 checked-in bag but I have Flying Blue Platinum status) for travel on Friday 8th July. I have a 1 hour 10 minute connection ime in AMS with the LHR-AMS on KLM Cityhopper (that has always been a bus from aircraft to terminal rather than a jetway for me). This is my first trip since the start of the pandemic and back than I would not be concerned about the connection time. If I recall correctly, in the past it was a simple walk from the arrival gate (or bus drop off location) to the next gate withut any further passport/security checks as all outside the schengen area, but are things much slower now e.g. not enough staff to drive the airside buses? My return is via CDG also with a 1 hr 10 min connection but I am not seeing reports that CDG is having these problems like AMS and LHR.
Now seeing this thread about the AMS staffing issues (which I have seen for LHR in the news here) and getting slightly concerned about the connection time - should I be concerned?
Now seeing this thread about the AMS staffing issues (which I have seen for LHR in the news here) and getting slightly concerned about the connection time - should I be concerned?
#1042


Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: SYD
Programs: QF WP (OWE), VA PLAT, EY GLD, SPG PLAT, Hyatt DIA, Hilton DIA, Hertz PC
Posts: 7,632
m0hamed : please reffer to this thread:
Schiphol Meet&Greet service from US - How much time can it save at passport control?
That thread discusses the use of executive meet & assist at Ansterdam airport.
It can work provided you are assigned the right person.
It can save a lot of time at several instances where there are queues.
Schiphol Meet&Greet service from US - How much time can it save at passport control?
That thread discusses the use of executive meet & assist at Ansterdam airport.
It can work provided you are assigned the right person.
It can save a lot of time at several instances where there are queues.
#1044


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: 1,375
Reporting from lounge 25. Took an Uber to the airport from West. First 5 drivers or so cancelled and got me worried a bit (is that normal in Amsterdam?)
One thing I noticed is that the sign at the back entry to skypriority says Skypriority.. but also business class and status holders. Implying non-Skyteam priority pax. May be useful when I’m flying *A priority at 7AM soon.
One thing I noticed is that the sign at the back entry to skypriority says Skypriority.. but also business class and status holders. Implying non-Skyteam priority pax. May be useful when I’m flying *A priority at 7AM soon.
i always presumed skypriority queue would encompass:
- first / business passengers
- those holding ANY eligable priority status (No distinct in Skyteam/StarAlliance/Oneworld priority status as long as it permits priority)
The Ubers cancelling could be because the impossibility to reach some (binnenstad) streets due to the canals/street works/closure as much traffic is 1 way now (detours) + your taxi needs a special permit to use the tram/bus lane and/or enter seperate construction lanes (a last new trick by our green party)
Uber black / van seems to be reliable but Uber X is shakey unreliable....
Last edited by HadesNL; Jun 18, 22 at 3:18 am
#1045
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Netherlands
Programs: KL Platinum; A3 Gold; BA Rust
Posts: 26,296
#1046
Join Date: Jun 2012
Programs: FB, M&B, UA, AA
Posts: 833
I've recently booked on the flight LHR-AMS-BKK at klm.com (economy class with 1 checked-in bag but I have Flying Blue Platinum status) for travel on Friday 8th July. I have a 1 hour 10 minute connection ime in AMS with the LHR-AMS on KLM Cityhopper (that has always been a bus from aircraft to terminal rather than a jetway for me). This is my first trip since the start of the pandemic and back than I would not be concerned about the connection time. If I recall correctly, in the past it was a simple walk from the arrival gate (or bus drop off location) to the next gate withut any further passport/security checks as all outside the schengen area, but are things much slower now e.g. not enough staff to drive the airside buses? My return is via CDG also with a 1 hr 10 min connection but I am not seeing reports that CDG is having these problems like AMS and LHR.
Now seeing this thread about the AMS staffing issues (which I have seen for LHR in the news here) and getting slightly concerned about the connection time - should I be concerned?
Now seeing this thread about the AMS staffing issues (which I have seen for LHR in the news here) and getting slightly concerned about the connection time - should I be concerned?
#1047
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: SE England
Programs: AF-KL FB Platinum, ALL Gold
Posts: 519
Both your flights are non-Schengen. If you arrive at an airbridge you are in the airport area where you will depart too (although D-gates arrival to say G departure takes 15 min walking or so). A bus will drop you off in non-Schengen too. You will not need to pass security nor immigration and I cannot see a lot of risk here. Only if KLM starts to cancel your LON-AMS feeder flight (I had one cancellation where they booked me on next flight to Paris, which did not allow me to make my connecting flight in Paris...so bad quality of KLM, and the travel agent of my business had to fix it).
#1048
Join Date: Jun 2012
Programs: FB, M&B, UA, AA
Posts: 833
Bus is very likely but I had airbridges at D from LCY with Embraer. If they cancel LON-AMS, let them book you on an earlier flight. What I found disappointing for my AMS-CDG-Florence flight that they cancelled AMS-CDG, booked me later without that the connection in CDG was possible (indeed arrival 1 hour later as departure of the Florence flight), and that upon direct contact via messenger KLM said - you booked via an agent, they have to sort this out. My business travel agent solved it, but this KLM behavior is not as it should be, to put it mildly. I hope you booked directly with KLM since then they have no escape or excuse in case of any cancellation.
#1050
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,560
My KLM flight for 2 days time was cancelled, and without doing anything 2 hours later I was rebooked onto Lufthansa flights with similar departure and arrival times. I'm impressed to be automatically rebooked outside of AF/KLM, but a little disappointed to not be able to claim the EU261 compensation.